If you are a non-specialist like me (the target reader of this book, I think) you may find the first chapter or two a little rough going, as Grant lays out the entire time frame he will be discussing in the book. Since I was only vaguely familiar with many of the important historical figures he mentions, I got a little discouraged. But I kept going and quickly found the book understandable and enlightening. Grant uses not only economics and politics but also cultural points to explain some of the problems that led to the disintegration of the Roman Empire. This is not a "character" driven study, so he doesn't spend a lot of time on the lives or habits of any of the major figures, but, instead, focuses on the larger trends and how the decisions of the rulers, and the upper and middle classes gradually changed Roman life. ( )

A sturdy and Generalised account of a serious setback for bureaucracy everywhere. Mr. Grant is usually worth reading, and his parameters for the survey are well chosen. ( )