Gibbon Worth Reading?

[qspeechc]

Hello everyone.

I wasn't quite sure where to put this thread, but I guess that philosophy people woud be familiar with this book.

Is it worth my time to read Gibbon's "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire"? Actually, I want to read the one-volume abridged version by D.M.Low, which I found on my grandparents bookshelf. It's still a 900 page monster in a small font.

I ask this because I know very little history (didn't take it in high school) and its seems as though most philosophers know a lot of history.

Also, I hav only recently (few years ago) found a love of literature and poetry, and there as soooooo many other books I would like to read, so is Gibbon worth the time?

[pagebypage]

Hello everyone.

I wasn't quite sure where to put this thread, but I guess that philosophy people woud be familiar with this book.

Is it worth my time to read Gibbon's "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire"? Actually, I want to read the one-volume abridged version by D.M.Low, which I found on my grandparents bookshelf. It's still a 900 page monster in a small font.

I ask this because I know very little history (didn't take it in high school) and its seems as though most philosophers know a lot of history.

Also, I hav only recently (few years ago) found a love of literature and poetry, and there as soooooo many other books I would like to read, so is Gibbon worth the time?

Yes. If nothing else you should treat yourself to reading at least one book by a world class historian. Well written, well researched by a man who loved his subject.

[pagebypage]

qspeechc,

I probably should qualify my recommendation. I took the time to pull volume one out of the old archive. (I apologize for not doing that first.:blush:) If you don't have much interest in Roman history you'll most likely find him a snoozer. Oh, he is well-written but it is in an early 19th century style and though I suspect the abridgment sacrifices some of the detail I'm sure it will still be overwhelming at times. Personally, I like him but I've always had a love of ancient history.

[joseph90ie]

Edward Gibbon? Man, how can you ask should you read a book? Are you seriously asking for advice on whether you should open the covers of a particular book? Can you not decide that for yourself?

As for Gibbon himself, I've read some of him. Few can equal the quality of this man's writing and insight about life and human nature; none can surpass him: he had all the equipment and apparel of writerly genius. -- In that case, why didn't I read all of him, and read him repeatedly? If I was brainier and more disciplined, I'm sure I would have.

[joseph90ie]

Sorry, qspeechc, for the impatience of my last post. I should be more understanding of the fear of approaching something which has a horrific reputation by being both a classic and a tome all at once. I get trepidation before reading such books, too. All the academic scholars ensure that the repuatation of these beautiful books precedes our acquaintance with them; so it's like being informed about all the intimidating aspects of a party of people just before we're going to be introduced to them, which always spoils the natural and best part of our response.

But forget about everyone else, all the information you've been given: it's meaningless waffle. The only thing that can matter to you is your own response. Just like with the party of people, you decide yourself whether you like being there and you're under no obligation to stay; commitment is no part of our private pleasures, we should only stay with something as long as we enjoy it: there are plenty of other places to go.

This is all hypocritical, cowardly advice, because I myself am just like you and have desperate trouble having the courage to enjoy books in a simple way and quitting the stories and histories I don't like. Why? Peer pressure, looking for approval for my intelligence, intellectual pride and vanity: a thing a lot of us people seem to suffer from, from what I've observed on various sites and seen first-hand in life. It makes me regret ever having picked up a book. Illiteracy is bliss, because you'd avoid a lifetime of futile hang-ups.

[mayneverhave]

Hello everyone.

I wasn't quite sure where to put this thread, but I guess that philosophy people woud be familiar with this book.

Is it worth my time to read Gibbon's "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire"? Actually, I want to read the one-volume abridged version by D.M.Low, which I found on my grandparents bookshelf. It's still a 900 page monster in a small font.

I ask this because I know very little history (didn't take it in high school) and its seems as though most philosophers know a lot of history.

Also, I hav only recently (few years ago) found a love of literature and poetry, and there as soooooo many other books I would like to read, so is Gibbon worth the time?

I have not read Gibbon but his reputation is quite good and I hear he is an enjoyable read.

I find the history of Rome fascinating, and far more interesting than my own nation's history.

Given the book's length, consider a few things:

How fast do you read? If you read quite rapidly, then this shouldn't be an issue, but if you take a while, consider reading the book in conjunction with other works. I've never been one for reading multiple books at the same time, but I assume if you mix genre's (such as reading poetry, philosophy, history, physics, etc.) things won't get as muddled because of the different degrees of style and substance.

As for the actual reading of Gibbon - maybe you should do some background reading first (even if this is just reading some articles on Wikipedia).

[country doctor]

one of the most vital reads you'll ever embark on. don't cheat yourself by reading the abridged editions. hurry now, get to it. time's a wasting.

[JCamilo]

Reading Gibbons is one of the best experiences to understand what classicist text may ever be. His balance and choice of words is amazing, it is considerable more relavant to literature than to history.

[Lilith785]

Gibbon is a must! http://www.dineoxford.com/pics/img/2657/y09w0131xdtc/82(2).gif