@ray243 while I haven't read Goldsworthy's Complete Roman army(flipped through some of it) I have read others (Roman army at war 100bc-200ad, Caesar, and a few others) they were well written. I like the link to the book by Le Bohec and was wondering what German authors you were referring to?

A lot of generic ideas like the Roman army was weak in the late empire was rebutted.
When talking of weaker, are you referring to amount of troops,quality of troops, commanders, arms and armor, etc. etc.? What is Goldsworthy being rebutted on?