Edward Gibbon 
History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire [PDF ebook] 

It is stated on the title-page that the researches of recent commentators upon the Decline and Fall of the Roman Em pire are incorporated in the text of the present work. These additions are taken from my own notes and from those of Dean Milman and M. Guizot, inserted in the edition of the original work published in 1854-1855. In drawing up an Abridgent intended for younger students and general readers, it seemed desirable to interweave in the text the necessary cor rections and additions, instead of distracting their attention by reisrences to foot-notes, contradicting or modifying assertions in the text.