James J. O'Donnell’s Followers (36)

James J. O'Donnell

Born

in New Mexico, The United States

February 26, 1950

Genre

Nonfiction, History, Classics

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James Joseph O'Donnell is a classical scholar and University Librarian at Arizona State University. He formerly served as University Professor at Georgetown University (2012-2015) and as Provost of Georgetown University (2002-2012). O'Donnell was previously Vice Provost for Information Systems and Computing at the University of Pennsylvania (1996–2002). He is a former President of the American Philological Association (the national learned society for academics who work on the ancient world) and a Fellow of the Medieval Academy of America. From 2012 to 2018, he chaired the Board of the American Council of Learned Societies.
O'Donnell writes and lectures on topics of the late Roman Empire, Augustine of Hippo, and also on the impact of inform ...more

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James J. O'Donnell’s books

Average rating: 3.48 · 1,800 ratings · 298 reviews · 27 distinct works • Similar authors

	Pagans: The End of Traditional Religion and the Rise of Christianity 3.39 avg rating — 1,047 ratings — published 2015 — 15 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Ruin of the Roman Empire: A New History of the Emperor Who Brought It Down, and the Barbarians Who Could Have Saved It 3.53 avg rating — 491 ratings — published 2008 — 29 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Augustine: A New Biography 3.65 avg rating — 183 ratings — published 1985 — 13 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Avatars of the Word: From Papyrus to Cyberspace 3.84 avg rating — 50 ratings — published 1998 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Sons of Valor, Parents of Faith it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 4 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Cassiodorus 3.60 avg rating — 5 ratings — published 1979 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Earthly matters, a study of our planet liked it 3.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 1982	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Gold, the noble metal 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 1978	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Fire: Its Many Faces and Moods 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 1980	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Every Vote Counts: A Teen Age Guide To The Electoral Process 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 1976 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Quotes by James J. O'Donnell (?)

“(A kingdom without justice, he memorably observed, was nothing but a very large band of pirates.”
― James J. O'Donnell, Pagans: The End of Traditional Religion and the Rise of Christianity

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“Monarchs have a great weakness, however, for their own sons, no matter how feckless and inept. A statistical study should be done across cultures assessing the relative frequency of the bizarre outcomes to which monarchical succession is prone: failure to provide an heir or successor, provision of an heir completely inept, or division of rule among several incompatible ones. Orderly succession followed by a successful reign is the exception.”
― James J. O'Donnell, Pagans: The End of Traditional Religion and the Rise of Christianity

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“Few moderns may think of the linear development of human history in the same terms the old Christians used, but the modern world of ideas is unimaginable without the irreversible linearity of connection and direction they provided. Everyone on the planet recognizes the Christian scheme of marking and pointing time’s arrow, even when we noncommittally mark our dates BCE/ CE.”
― James J. O'Donnell, Pagans: The End of Traditional Religion and the Rise of Christianity

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Topics Mentioning This Author

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Ancient & Medieva...: Freebie/Giveaway/On Sale Historical Fiction Books - eBook and Audio	2625	1368	Dec 23, 2022 05:20AM
The History Book ...: * ROLE OF RELIGION IN HISTORY	119	683	Nov 15, 2025 02:24PM
The History Book ...: * CLASSICAL ANTIQUITY	537	1468	Dec 05, 2025 07:06AM

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James J. O'Donnell’s Followers (36)

James J. O'Donnell

Combine EditionsJames J. O'Donnell’s books

Topics Mentioning This Author

Combine Editions
James J. O'Donnell’s books