“An outstanding work… [the series] gives us a very good picture of the long process that has come to be known as the “Fall of Rome”. This is an invaluable read for anyone with an interest in Late Antiquity.”

The NYMAS Review

An interesting analysis of a key period of Rome's history.

Read the full Spanish review here

Miniaturas JM

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I'm always on the hunt for Syvanne's books, the way he talks about military history is one that's so interesting to me. Although I'm not necessarily always in the mood for this genre, the way concepts are shown is something I quite enjoy, making them palatable to someone who isn't necessarily versed in the subject. Maps are key to these works, and the way they're incorporated is amazing. Ultimately, if you enjoy history, you'll probably like this; there's a wealth of information presented with a clear voice by someone who is actually interested in the topic, and you can tell by the way he writes.

NetGalley, Renee Trenaman

Review by Jason Hubbard

The book is very well written, clear and precise, it’s not a typical dry historical read. I found this quite an interesting read, and I will probably pick up the other titles in this series of books by the author.

The book is illustrated throughout with maps and images to support the text, it’s a very insightful read and one I can recommend to anyone with an interest in this period, both historians and war-gamers will enjoy this read.

I particularly liked chapter 6 as the author covers some of the events and participants that were occurring during this period in Britain, which helped with some of my research for prepping a possible Saga campaign set during this time period.

Irregular magazine, issue 14 Volume 2/Winter 2020

The author is a prolific and highly respected writer on the subject of ancient history and in particular of the final years of the Roman Empire. This book provides many fresh insights and shows how the Western and Eastern Empires cooperated to the benefit of the European future. – Most Highly Recommended

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Firetrench

This a well written book, with a good amount of excellent illustrations and well done maps. The author clearly knows his field and it's not at all dry or academic either. I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in the period.

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Army Rumour Service (ARRSE)

As the title suggests, focusing as it does on a relatively brief period of the declining Roman Empire, this is a comprehensive account of the significant military actions involving Roman armies; their allies and auxiliaries; and the many competing armies pressing on the Empire from outside and, increasingly, from within the Empire.

Dr Svyanne clearly lives and breathes this period of history that is so often dismissed in a few lines in the history most of us read at school. Inevitably, a focus on such a slim slice of history is not for the faint-hearted; the accounts of the many actions are given in comprehensive detail and are well illustrated with maps and diagrams. Equally inevitably, and quite properly for an author with Dr Svyanne’s passion for the period and his significant references to a wide range of sources, there is much in his account that is prefaced with ‘probably’, ‘in my opinion’ or ‘might‘. However, the way in which the author weaves together a consistent and comprehensive account of this turbulent period is such that such departures from what is demonstrably the case from primary sources to include a personal interpretation from the range of possibilities feels entirely natural. It is also to Dr Svyanne’s credit that he is clear where an opinion is given, rather than a fact or a consensual agreement.

NetGalley, K Manley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The title, "Military History of Late Rome 425-457", sounds like the book might be a bit dry - it's not. It's very, very well-written and laid out in a simple way so it's easy to keep track of events. There are plenty of maps and photos to support the text, and I found them equally as interesting.

NetGalley, Dawn Lewis

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I read this book out of curiosity as I thought the Roman Empire was pretty much gone by the time of 425 AD. I was very wrong! I never knew the power and influence the Emoire still had nor did I understand how the flow of history would progress . The Romans had a lot to deal with, especially all the newcomers looking for land to farm and escaping the invaders from the east. The Romans still had a plan I found out and it pretty mcuh did work. The Goths and Huns were absorbed into the Empire and it went on. The illustrations and pictures are excellent. There are pictures of modern people wearing the uniforms . Not just line drawings or artists renderings but real actually realistic copies of the soldiers and their uniforms. Excellent and very interesting.The detail and references are given and this book IMO is going to be a historical addition to military and anyone interested libraries.

NetGalley, Patrick Carmen

'ON THE BOOK SHELF'

Wargames Illustrated, July 2019

As part of a series of books examining the military history of Rome between various dates, this book is an excellent insight into both the narrative history as well as the practical issues that best its rulers. Very good illustrations and images make this a very useful reference for the period.

Michael McCarthy. Battlefield Guide

Michael McCarthy