Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

[Lucius Tyrrhenus Garrulus]

SALVETE OMNES, S.V.B.E.V.
Has anyone read Edward Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire?
I just want to know if it's worthy.
MULTOS GRATIAS ET VALETE BENE!

[Horatius Piscinus]

Salve Garrule

In spite of when it was written Gibbon's work still remains a standard on the subject. Yes, I have read it and still refer to it now and then.

Vale bene

[Gnaeus Dionysius Draco]

Salve Garrule,

I've read an abridged version and although I disagreed with some of Gibbon's viewpoints (esp. in his depictions of the emperors' personalities) it remains, like Piscinus says, one of the standard works on the matter and I would recommend reading it with a critical eye.

Vale!
Draco

[Aldus Marius]

On Gibbon:

As literature on the subject, he will seldom be equalled and never surpassed. We don't write 'em like that anymore. No one's got the patience.

As history, OTOH, he's sadly outdated. His What and When still hold up, mostly, but his Why is obsolete (and by modern standards even a little offensive).

In fide,

[Lucius Tyrrhenus Garrulus]

SALVETE OMNES, S.V.B.E.V.
I now have Gibbon, and T.J. Cornell's The Beginnings of Rome.
I think I'm going to read one after the other. Starting with Cornell.
MULTAS GRATIAS VALETEQUE BENE.