Reprints Lowenthal's translation with notes, published in 1965 by The Free Press. In one of his lesser known efforts, the great French essayist Montesquieu (1689-1755) starts with the beginnings of Rome and considers the characteristics of the people, the expansion, and the empire. Then he chronicles its decline, reign by reign, until there is nothing left of the Western Empire and he leaps to the Eastern. The French original was published in 1734 in Holland. Paper edition (unseen), $12.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)