John Ranger’s “A Chronicle of the Roman Twilight”

John Ranger talks about A Chronicle of the Roman Twilight, his fascinating account of the disintegration of one of history’s most famous empires.

Please briefly describe your book . . .

A Chronicle of the Roman Twilight explains how circumstances arose early in the first decade of the fifth century AD that caused the Western Roman Empire to disintegrate during the course of the next seven decades. We all know that it fell but the circumstances are poorly understood by the vast majority of people in western civilization. This book covers the period AD 383 to 410 during which the western half of the Roman Empire was wracked by three civil wars that rendered the country incapable of countering the massive barbarian invasion that erupted across the Rhine River on December 31, AD 406.

And can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am a retired computer programmer and database administrator who spent 32 years at IBM East Fishkill, with a B.Sc. degree from the University of Manitoba, Canada and a lifelong interest in Roman history. I have one son and live in Wappinger Falls, New York.

Do you have any particular literary influences?

Two history books, Western Aristocracies and Imperial Court AD 364 – 425 by John Matthews and Barbarians Within the Gates of Rome by Thomas Burns, have been the most influential for me. Insofar as style goes, I have always felt that if you read well you will write well. My favorite historical novels are I, Claudius, Claudius the God and Count Belisarius by Robert Graves and Julian by Gore Vidal.

What is the one message you would like to convey to your readers?

Not easy to state. For far too much of their history the Romans had seen themselves, one way or another, as their own worst enemies. Even during periods of barbarian invasions the Romans always had the time and resources to fight civil wars among themselves. They continued this right into the fifth century except from December 31, 406 on they were too exhausted to repel or subdue barbarian invaders any more.

Are you working on a sequel to A Chronicle of the Roman Twilight?

I just want to get my first book published above all. I cut the last six chapters out of it because they would have made the book much too long which some people would say it is anyway. If there ever is a sequel then they will form the beginning of it.

Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Ignore literary agents. I went that route 20 years ago and got absolutely nowhere. After 37 rejections I gave up and went back to work. They are simply not interested in first time authors.

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