Great Ideas Books The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon Two Volume Set 1986 Beritannica History Books for Readers Gifts

This is a near fine (almost like new) set of two hardcovers. Encyclopedia Britannica 1986 28th Printing. This set of two volumes is like new inside and out. The inside pages are crisp and clean with no markings seen. The bindings are tight and straight, like new. Grey hardcover boards with black quarter trim are also near fine with barely a hint of shelf wear. Medium octavo book size or 6.5" x 9.5" each.

Great Books of the Western World by Encyclopedia Britannica was originally published in 1952 as a 54 volume set. The idea of the series was to present great books of the western world that were relevant to contemporary matters with important historical content. They were intended to be part of a conversation about great ideas and literature. They were re-issued in 1990 in a 60 volume set with some titles added and some titles left out. The idea for the series began at the University of Chicago where a course was developed with the idea of a round table approach for reading and discussing great books. The purpose was to fill the gaps in education and afford a well-rounded intellect familiar with the great works of the Western Canon along with great ideas.
Initial reception was poor but the first sets were gifted to Queen Elizabeth ll of England and President Harry Truman. Time magazine did a piece on the set featuring Mortimer J. Adler, Editor in Chief, who was integral to the university course and the subsequent set of books. Soon, the popularity of the series soared. The series features works from ancient classics to modern masterpieces.

This set of two volumes contains Edward Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Originally published as a 6 volume set, the work covers the peak of the Roman Empire, emergence of the Roman State Church, and the fall of Byzantium. Volume One was originally published in 1776 and following volumes published 1788-1789. Gibbon puts forth an explanation for the fall, citing invasions by barbarians and the downfall of virtue of its citizens.

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