I had a rather fun experience today - I had just finished Ward-Perkins acclaimed book "The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization," which impressed me greatly, and I saw that Professor Ward-Perkins was an Oxford don at Trinity College. Well, a little googling and I had an email. I wrote him complimenting him on his book, and asking for any guidance on how to even START tackling the infinitely complex period of "Late Antiquity." Would you believe, he not only replied very nicely, but included not I, not II, but III reading lists he gives to his students who are dealing with the same issues!

Therefore, if you want to see what he recommends for self-learning about this most fascinating time, please check out the "Reading Lists" thread under SOURCES here at D&F. It should prove enough to keep us all happily busy for some time!