"One cannot help grappling with historical issues while reading this book. Nonspecialists will find much here to reward their efforts". -- Thomas S. Burns, American Historical Review

"A model of clarity and organization. Within a basically narrative structure it tells the story of the Roman Empire from Adrianople (378 CE) to the Vandal conquest of North Africa (430 CE), with particular emphasis on military and religious policies.... A rare work, in that it is valuable to students and scholars at all levels". -- Choice

"A coherent narrative of the crisis-ridden years of the late fourth century, as well as a useful general discussion of the society, institutions, and structures of the late empire". -- R. Bruce Hitchner, History