06-25-2010, 04:43 AM
I might suggest Chris Wickham's relatively newer book The Inheritance of Rome. He goes into detail on what changed and what didn't after the "fall" of Rome in the West. Not only is this superb scholarship, but Wickham uses wonderful prose. This is probably one of the best history books I've read in years.
David J. Cord
www.davidcord.com
www.davidcord.com