The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon | pgs 1-124

I

[chrisbeveridge]

read Gibbon for the heady, intoxicating prose ...he could write about a broom stick in a closet and be enthralling...

[markchoate]

I'm 75% through Vol I. It is very well written and of course, a classic, but it is a deep read.

[mattpope]

I’m reading that very same volume. My habit is to read from Gibbon while exercising on my stationary bike. I’m traveling tonight and forgot to bring my edition so I watched your video instead while working out in the hotel gym. I enjoyed your observations and am finding the book a fascinating read with some strong corollaries to today.

[chrisbeveridge]

A large part of the picture is the founding of the EASTERN Roman empire by Constantine (Byzantine empire... Istanbul was once Constantinople) in the 4 cent which effectively split the Roman empire in two...the WEST collapsed in the 5 the century ushering in the dark ages... the EAST however kept the lamp burning and survived well into the 15 century when the Turks took over...so when Gibbon's talks about "Rome" he means both WEST AND EAST ... most people know very little about the eastern Roman Empire which outlasted the western empire by 1000 yr!The book you are reading addresses this period...

[sagatheuclair]

Great book translation one volum in Brazil

[chhhhhris]

Timely reading! Since the american empire is falling lol. You might be interested in _The Assassination of Julius Caesar: A People's History of Ancient Rome_ by Michael Parenti. He's a really good author.

[jamesalvarez]

Reference to Gibbons decline and fall in the review of the war with Mexico in 1846 by the American peace society:

“Whoever would know the further fate of this Roman Diety, “Terminus”, so recently taken under the bosom of American Democracy and under the concept of “Manifest Destiny”, may find ample gratification of his curiosity, in the luminous pages of the historical accounts of "Gibbons Decline and Fall of Rome”. For what Rome was in her decline, america was in her infancy. What has been the fate of all nations who believe the idea they can advance? What has been the fate of all nations who abounded in the precious metals? Read the history of California life thus far developed. These territories were robbed from Mexico as is booty from a helpless traveler, Can such Ill gained rewards be then of any benefit to its owners? Who that reviews the fraudulent and corrupt means to conquer and revolutionize California, can look with honest complacency on the gold coin stamped with that appellation?

-war with Mexico reviewed, Abiel Livermore 1850 American peace society

[Jon-cbdt]

The price of prosperity is the cost of the tax to the capital so as not to be injured Roman novoclature.

[johnhesner]

You should think about what you want to say before you make the video. Your off the cuff approach leaves a lot to be desired. I started to count the umms.