Byzantium (II) : The Apogee

Rating:
Summary: History made delicously fun
Review: This is how you write ancient history. Sure many historical details are not known, but many ancient historians wrote about the leaders, and Norwich uses this to his advantage. Byzantium comes alive as the Grecian version of the Roman Empire. All 3 volumes keep you glued to the pages. I almost felt guilty having so much fun reading history -- and that's from the perspective of an advid history enthusiast. Norwich makes you care about his characters, warts and all. And by the end, you find yourself rooting for the survival of Byzantium. Well done sir!

Rating:
Summary: History made delicously fun.
Review: This is how you write ancient history. Sure many historical details are not known, but many ancient historians wrote about the leaders, and Norwich uses this to his advantage. Byzantium comes alive as the Grecian version of the Roman Empire. All 3 volumes keep you glued to the pages. I almost felt guilty having so much fun reading history -- and that's from the perspective of an advid history enthusiast. Norwich makes you care about his characters, warts and all. And by the end, you find yourself rooting for the survival of Byzantium. Well done sir!

Rating:
Summary: Climax
Review: This, the second volume of Norwich's Byzantine history, is the climactic center of the story. The book begins with Charlemagne's corronation in 800 -- an act that destroyed the idea of a universal Christendom -- and concludes with the battle of Manzikert in 1071 -- one of the most consequential and regrettable military losses in European history. In between we learn about the Viking impact on Byzantium, conflicts with Kievan Rus, the rise of the Bulgar Empire, and the growing and intensifying conflict between Orthodoxy and Catholicism. Family and court intrigues are illuminated, while changes in religion, art, and leisure are explained. Norwich uses his amazing command of the English language to take us on a wild rollercoaster ride through the changing fortunes of Europe's chief protector, finally leaving us with a strong sense of the impending doom in store for both Byzantium and Europe as a whole.

Rating:
Summary: Climax
Review: This, the second volume of Norwich's Byzantine history, is the climactic center of the story. The book begins with Charlemagne's corronation in 800 -- an act that destroyed the idea of a universal Christendom -- and concludes with the battle of Manzikert in 1071 -- one of the most consequential and regrettable military losses in European history. In between we learn about the Viking impact on Byzantium, conflicts with Kievan Rus, the rise of the Bulgar Empire, and the growing and intensifying conflict between Orthodoxy and Catholicism. Family and court intrigues are illuminated, while changes in religion, art, and leisure are explained. Norwich uses his amazing command of the English language to take us on a wild rollercoaster ride through the changing fortunes of Europe's chief protector, finally leaving us with a strong sense of the impending doom in store for both Byzantium and Europe as a whole.