The book is a compilation of 30 essays on various aspects of Gallic history in the 5th century. The purpose of this compilation is to find out whether 5th Century Gauls felt that they belonged to the Roman Empire, and to what extent ("Crisis of Identity"). In some case, the question is more a rhetorical pretext for an impressive display of scholarship.

The sources are abundantly commented : Salvian of Marseilles, Sidonius Apollinaris, Paulinus of Pella, Hydatius, Gallic Chronicle of 452... There are essays on burial techniques, Visigothic coinage, Bagaudae, Military defense of Gaul, the Visigothic settlement of 418, Gauls visiting the Holy Land, Slavery and much more. The book pre-supposes some knowledge of the period because you will not find a summary of 5th Century history. Some essays are fascinating, some are a bit on the technical side for an amateur like me. Lots and lots of footnotes, extensive bibliography.

This book is absolutely fantastic. For all those university students interested in Late Antiquity, or anyone with a general interest in Gallic History. It provides clear, authoritative articles by the world's most knowledgeable historians on the subject. It is thematic which is fantastic for a period such as this, and refrains from boring facts and figures. Instead it analyzes the ideology present at the time, and more importantly the way in which Gallo-Romans perceive themselves.

John Drinkwater was Mr. Laemmle's choice for this biography to be written. In 1926, Laemmle began writing his own memoir and knew that he needed the aid of a biographer. Since Drinkwater had written much regarding a Laemmle hero, former President Abraham Lincoln; Drinkwater was sent from England to Los Angeles to read Laemmle's 227 page manuscript. The result is a testament to the Laemmle family's early years and a record that remains reprinted to present day.