A major new narrative account of one of history's greatest and most epic mysteries: the strange death of the Roman Empire.
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History
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Review
'Meticulously and compellingly, he traces the rise of the tribe... -- The Times
'[a] ground-breaking study' -- Mail on Sunday
'it is unusual for a modern academic historian to arrive at, let alone articulate, so thorough a conclusion.' -- The Times
'this is history writing at its best' -- The Tablet
‘Ground-breaking study’ -- Mail on Sunday
'[a] ground-breaking study' -- Mail on Sunday
'it is unusual for a modern academic historian to arrive at, let alone articulate, so thorough a conclusion.' -- The Times
'this is history writing at its best' -- The Tablet
‘Ground-breaking study’ -- Mail on Sunday
Review
‘A rare combination of scholarship and flair for narrative. With this book, a powerful searchlight has been shone upon the shadow-dimmed end of Rome’s western empire' - Tom Holland ‘a brilliant mixture of rapid flowing narrative and deeply thought analysis ‘ - Paul Cartledge
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
85 of 87 people found the following review helpful
By Henry Ireton
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
I think some of the reviewers here are far too harsh in what they say about Heather. This is an immaculate study of the decline and fall of Rome. Heather's theories sit well within the prevailing historical consensus- he is illuminating on many of the themes that surround the fall- the rise of Barbarion tribes and the reasons for their rising and falling. He writes an analytical narrative- unlike some major popular histories he actually does analyse why things happened. The Fall of Rome can easily be reduced to battle after battle, imperial slaughter after slaughter but Heather gives you the reasons why one tribal confederacy won through, why imperial turnover was a constitutional feature of the empire. Perhaps most impressively, Heather thoroughly describes what he doesn't know as well as what he does- we don't have an internal account of the Hunnic Empire so can't know why Attilla headed west but can guess for example. Overall this is a wonderful study- full of analysis, full of narrative, which provides a coherent account of why the Empire fell and how it fell.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a book which is as every bit of epic as its subject matter. Peter Heather writes in an accessible, easy-to-follow manner making this book ideal for the layperson, scholar and student. Rather than seeing the end of the western Roman Empire as a result of internal decline and internecine warfare (the Edward Gibbon approach), Heather argues that the Empire fell due to the rise of the Germanic tribes north of the Danube, both economically and politically into supergroups, which became too strong for the western resources to ovecome. Coupled with this, argues Heather, the movement of the Huns in the 370s, forcing the Greuthungi and Tervingi Goths onto Roman territory, and again between 395-420 onto the Great Hungarian Plain, forcing this time more Goths, Burgundians and Alans etc, provided the catalyst for barbarian encroachment upon Roman territory. Each loss of teritory meant loss of revenue with which to pay the diminishing legions. The most telling of losses were the rich African provinces to the Vandals. Really, it is not so much as the decline of the west, but the rise of the barbarians, caused by the sudden appearance, and disappearance, of the Huns.
Other reviewers have provided more in-depth looks at the pros and cons of this book - with which I would agree (in particular some of the contemporary language and jokes would seem out of place)- therefore I will not repeat them here. Suffice to say this is an excellent, informative account of one of the world's most important events.
Thoroughly recommended.
Other reviewers have provided more in-depth looks at the pros and cons of this book - with which I would agree (in particular some of the contemporary language and jokes would seem out of place)- therefore I will not repeat them here. Suffice to say this is an excellent, informative account of one of the world's most important events.
Thoroughly recommended.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Mr X
Format:Paperback
When I first bought the book I was intimidated by its length for a while and so delayed starting to read it. However, once I stared reading it I enjoyed it so much that I read it very quickly. In fact I read the last third in one go.
The book deals very well with a number of complex themes and always has an eye on the overall argument which I will not set out here as others have done so in their comments. This period of history is certainly a very exciting one and there are many important parallels for present-day situations. That writers such as Mr Heather are producing books such as this one on the late Roman period is a benefit for us all and a change to the majority of history books published today which, I feel, tend to concentrate on much more recent history.
The Who's Who at the back of the book is very useful to keep track of the individuals mentioned in the text (as, necessarily, a book covering such a large and complex topic must deal with a many personalities). My only criticism, and it is a minor one, is that the maps could be improved; often the text refers to the maps but then goes on to discuss places that are not on the maps. Overall a brilliant and surprisingly 'unheavy' read for a book of its length.
The book deals very well with a number of complex themes and always has an eye on the overall argument which I will not set out here as others have done so in their comments. This period of history is certainly a very exciting one and there are many important parallels for present-day situations. That writers such as Mr Heather are producing books such as this one on the late Roman period is a benefit for us all and a change to the majority of history books published today which, I feel, tend to concentrate on much more recent history.
The Who's Who at the back of the book is very useful to keep track of the individuals mentioned in the text (as, necessarily, a book covering such a large and complex topic must deal with a many personalities). My only criticism, and it is a minor one, is that the maps could be improved; often the text refers to the maps but then goes on to discuss places that are not on the maps. Overall a brilliant and surprisingly 'unheavy' read for a book of its length.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
' Do not go gentle into that good night' (Thomas)
I was surprised when opening a book on the LATER Roman Empire to be confronted by an episode from Book V of Caesar's 'Gallic Wars' which took place in 54 B.C. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Bob
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
A very well constructed piece, well researched and vital to the understanding of anyone attempting to learn about the topic. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Matthew J. Walsh
5.0 out of 5 stars
neat
This is one of the best book on the fall of Rome since Gibbon. Heather shows that Rome didn't fall, it was pushed. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Halifax Student Account
4.0 out of 5 stars
The good old traditional explanation: it's the Barbarians, of course
As almost 30 reviewers have already recognized (I am number 30!), this is an excellent book and a wonderful read. Read more
Published 16 months ago by JPS
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Its the Hun Wot Done it"
Excellent, witty and knowledgeable- I thoroughly enjoyed this. Peter Heather wears his learning lightly- and while there will inevitably be areas for disagreement (for example, I... Read more
Published 19 months ago by A. Browne
5.0 out of 5 stars
absolutely first rate historical inquiry
This is a truly wonderful book, of the kind that I wish I had had when I studied this stuff in school. Read more
Published 21 months ago by rob crawford
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beware the Huns !!
As someone who has little knowledge about the Roman Empire, Heather's work was an excellent introduction. Read more
Published on 23 Feb 2011 by Mr. D. J. Walford
4.0 out of 5 stars
Comprehensive And Enjoyable
In this comprehensive review of the fall of Rome, I particularly liked the analyses Heather provides on events and the extensive discussion on Rome's rival neighbours (the... Read more
Published on 18 Dec 2010 by demola
5.0 out of 5 stars
New ideas about barbarians
I found this fascinating in its attempt to make sense of the debates about the fall of the Roman Empire. Read more
Published on 16 Sep 2010 by B. Rosewell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yes, but what did the Romans ever.....?
This book is a very good start to reading about this period even if one wishes to explore further, as the book is readable, detailed and well-written; I found the humour (as in... Read more
Published on 16 Aug 2010 by Richard Sewell
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