A Short History of Byzantium

Rating:
Summary: There Once Was This Empire...
Review: Norwich's name is honored among us amateur Byzantinists. This book (as well as the three-volume work from which it was extracted) is the reason why. As the liner notes say, he hits upon indispensable minutiae; details that give the reader an understanding of the subject. His writing breathes life into a civilization that technically hasn't existed for more than 500 years-although its spirit can be seen in every corner of the Christian Balkans. He treats the subject with the respect due it, but is not afraid to opine where appropriate. Most of all, he makes the reader laugh, which is-sadly-all too uncommon in historical writings. I still smile when I think of his comments on the Hunnish Court. He states boldly the guilt of the West in bringing about the Empire's collapse, particularly the degeneracy of Venice and the so-called Fourth Crusade. This book is de rigueur for anyone wishing to know about this greatest of Christian Empires (it lasted for 1,123 years and 19 days). I know that I will read it again someday. A must-have.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Introduction
Review: This is an excellent intoruction to someone who is a relative novice to Byzantine history. Norwich tells a great story and one finishes the book wanting to read the full 3 volume work. I am not knowledgeable enough on the subject to judge the accuracy of all of Norwich's facts or statements, but nevertheless it is hugely entertaining and intriguing to read his opinionated (I mean this as a complinent) writing. The hypothesis that came out most strongly was the one stated in the very begining of the book, where the author states that Byzantium is perhaps solely responisble for the survival of all of western civilisation by holding off Saracens and other hordes from the east for over a millenium. However through his account of events and descriptions of battles and power struggles one finds support for this a little bit far fetched as with the exception of the Ottomans (who eventually did make it all the way to Vienna 350 ish years later) all the armies of the east seemed to random and disorganized to stretch their conquests beyond the balkan peninsula. If there is one thing I took away from his account of events, it is that all these grand armies and powers (byzantine included) were much weaker and more suceptible to intrigue and power struggles than one would ordinarily expect. This makes them inherrently unstable (and they were), and thus it is hard to believe that one of these powers from the east would have conquered Europe if there was no Byzantium. We will never know, but this does not diminsh the value of the work, or the historical signifigance of the Byzantine Empire. The great thing about Norwich's style is that he does blend historcal facts with his opinions and interpretations very well. For example, the chapters where he covers the crusades and the irony in which he shows them to ultimately cause more damage to the Christian world than good are simply outstanding. All in all, this book is outstanding and highly recommended.

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Summary: MOST HUMAN OF EMPIRES
Review: Living, quite literally, only a few miles from the Alamo, reading about the Siege of Constantinople was particularly poignant. What an Empire. It's name, Byzantine, has become a description for all that is seethingly, insidously, complicated. Byzantium represented the best and worst of being human: incredible art, touching piety, hypocrisy unparallelled, heroism unmatched, murderous Emperors, jaw dropping architecture, and political intrigue. All leading up to that day in May when it all fell forever. Lord Norwich brings it all back. Will have to get the three volumes now!

Rating:
Summary: Bravo...Byzantium
Review: Accolades to Lord Norwich for his interesting account of the "Eastern Empire". The author does a fantastic job of blending strong historical research with interesting snippets of Byzantine folk lore. This is a must read for anyone who cherishes history and good writing.

Rating:
Summary: Read the three volume work!
Review: When I started this book and the author said it was a condensation of his three volume work, I almost stopped reading, since I avoid condensed books like the plague. But I went ahead and read it, and I wish I had instead read the three volume work. This covers the years so rapidly--from 11 May 330 to the Fall on 29 May 1453--that one doesn't get to know the characters. But it is fast-moving and the story it tells is a story seldom told and one of amazing events. The cruelty and murder, etc., that are so prominent in the story seem unbelievable. But the book is well-written. I have not read the three volume work, but I should.

Rating:
Summary: Probably you should read the three volume set.
Review: But, the single volume is a very good read. Perhaps too packed with facts and events, but then what can you do in covering a thousand years?

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Summary: pure facts can be fun to read
Review: This is quite the tome of literature. Short, yes. The trilogy by Norwich is much better, because it gives you reasons and details that would be nice to know as you read this one. But this book is good because it provides the essential details without compromising those points crucial to a solid knowledge of the empire. Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Great! History that reads like I, Claudius
Review: Fabulous book, marvelously written. The dreadfully dry title completely represents the wonderful storytelling within.

Rating:
Summary: Concise, almost too much so.
Review: A concise little history that only whets the appitite of what awaits in the three volume history. If you want to know the bare facts that march through a 1000 years of history, this is the book. If you want a more detailed exploration of the culture, try the longer version.

Rating:
Summary: 400 pages isn't enough
Review: I have to agree that this is just too short for Byzantine's long history. What comes out as a result is a whole series of "x emperor died because y killed him" and such, with little detail. The book is well written, and I think I will go read the 3 volume history instead.