A Short History of Byzantium

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Summary: An Introduction That Leaves You Hungry For More
Review: An excellent introduction to the Byzantium Empire. Unlike most works written by British historians, this is very readable and not stuffy. Although this book races across 1,000 years of history in about 400 pages, it does an excellent job of synopsis. The record is full of succession struggles, with the losers usually castrated or beheaded. It is amazing how much energy the Byzantines wasted on theological disputes that continually undermined the morale of the empire. Norwich clearly explains these important but complicated theological issues which ultimately shaped Byzantium's destiny. On the military side, Norwich minimizes the impact of the defeat at Manzikert in 1071 and instead stresses that the sack of Constantinople by the Crusaders, the depredations of the Catalonian mercenaries and the plague all did more real harm. Norwich could have had more detail on the Byzantine military and finances, both of which were crucial to the rise and decline of this great empire. The political drama of the continuous succession struggles is extremely well-told. Once readers complete this excellent introduction, they will be eager to read the original full-length three volume set.

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Summary: A Book That's Worth Every Penny You'd Pay
Review: If the textbooks used in our school were written in the way A Short History of Byzantium was, history classes would have been more fun for each and everyone of us. Of course, this book is not without its flaws. The fast-paced narration would probably lose your attention for a second or two, but, when you think about the fact that it was a condensed version of a originally large three-volume work, you still have to give credits to the author for his successful attempts in keeping the essence of the whole subject. This book would have no problem serving as a good reference for history classes dealing with western civilization and alike. It also gives a pretty good insight into the theological conflicts during the time of late Roman empire and throughout the Byzantine era. The violent scenes of the early warfare were also well described.

It is not a large book and it does not provide every details you want to know about Byzantium. However, after reading the very last page, you can be sure that you will know a lot more about this christendom, unless you already are a specialist in the study of Byzantine.

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Summary: A great sweep of history
Review: Over a thousand years. 88 emperors, countless battles, plagues and theological intrigues. Norwich does a great job of making the story of this thousand years entertaining. His word picture of the final dramatic fall of Constantinople is superb.

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Summary: 1100 Years of History, Quickly told and Full of Life
Review: Norwich's shorter, colleted version of his three larger works bears many similarities to the many condensed version of Gibbon's classic "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire." Norwich's piece, having been written more recently moves at a much quicker pace and is not restrained by more antiquated language. Chapter by chapter the author fires blazing tales of corruption, intrigue, scandal, war and devastation. I particularly enjoyed the pieces pertaining to the reigns of Constantine (particularly the background around his conversion), Theodosius the Great, Justinian, and Basil II.

These are fascinating stories, and the author makes sure to put them in the proper historical frame, to let the reader understand what else was happening in the world as Byzantium continued to shine as the lone beacon from the collapsed Roman Empire. As other historical characters fade in and out of Byzantium's historical spotlight, Mr. Norwich is careful to provide them with a proper introduction, allowing the reader to understand their motives and ambitions.

One of the reasons I found this history so interesting is because it is so new. We learn so little about this culture through traditional American history classes that all of this information is enlightening. Mr. Norwich does lament this fact towards the end of the book, and he has certainly done a good job of helping correct this oversight.

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Summary: Norwich does a wonderful job where others ignore Byzantium
Review: For a History student who will probably never see a course titled "Byzantium" in his career, this book was a blessing in more ways than one. Not only has Norwich ventured into the unknown mystique that is Byzantium but does a great job writing a historical narrative at the same time. Indeed it was sad, watching as the longest existing Christian empire of all time slowly dwindled to the city of Constantinople and nothing more, but it makes you stand in awe at the pride and honor of these people as, even in that state, they regarded themselves as the most perfect empire on Earth, its emperor as God's Vice-Gerent on Earth, equal of the apostles. Where the last many students hear of Byzantium is usually Justinian in the 6th century, one's realizes that this empire withstood the rise Western Civilization as it grew from the ashes of the Western Roman Empire. Amazing it is to contemplate that the emperor of the Romans at one point held sway over territory as far West as Ravenna and Sicily and even the Holy Land. Luckily, left to posterity is the art of this wonderful empire: beautiful artifacts and icons, mosaic churches and old imperial buildings that still stand in Greece and Turkey. From Norwich, we better realize the context in which these things existed. We realize the consciousness of these deeply spiritual people, who sought not only a political unity, but a religious one as well, one whose authority was derived from Christ Himself.

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Summary: Opinionated, informative, and never boring.
Review: Help Wanted: Byzantine Emporer: Must have military experience, good grasp of theology, insatiable lust for power, insufferable wife, and be willing to lose eyes and/or nose upon retirement to monastery. Immediate family may be subject to blinding, castration, or poison.

Here's a book chock-full of sex and violence, scandal and strangulation, death and dismemberment, that I didn't feel at all bad about reading. It's a whirlwind tour--in plain English--of the Byzantine Empire from Constantine to its final defeat by the Ottomans, and there's never a dull moment. I knew nothing about the Byzantines before I read it, but now I feel like I have a fair grasp of their place in history. The book won't make you an expert, but it can fill in that hole (labeled "Byzantium") in your understanding of Western Civilization. I can't agree with Norwich's definition of a Great Emporer (one who expands territory by antagonizing the neighbors, pillaging the treasury, taxing everybody to the eyeballs-- and dying before it all backfires), but I liked Norwich's Eastern take on the Crusades and the schism of the Eastern and Western churches. The book has broadened my view of history without ever being a chore to read.

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Summary: Great Read...Now Where's the Trilogy?
Review: I'm weirdly fascinated by the Byzantine Empire and I found this book a perfect way to get a fairly in depth introduction to Byzantium. It touches upon most, if not all, the most important topics and players without dwelling on any of them too long. But while this is fine, I found that after awhile, the various leaders, political figures and the like breezed by so quickly that it was hard to get a firm grasp on the topic as a whole. What a surprise when I went back to read Mr. Norwich's own introduction (a High School English teacher once told me to always read the intro to a book AFTER you've read it because it will make more sense) and found that he makes the exact comment that if the reader finds the characters going by too quickly, "the trilogy awaits". But I've not been able to find it.

Great book...fast, solid reading. Not boring..

Rating:
Summary: Read This Book!
Review: I am not one to give a five-star rating unless I believe the work to be superlative; such is Norwich's condensed single volume. I am an amatuer Byzantinist, looking to enroll in a graduate program in Byzantine Studies, so I, naturally, am inclined to enjoy almost any well researched book on the empire. Norwich's book, however, has truly universal appeal. His writing is clear and concise--more prosaic than most histories. He treats his subject with respect, yet never falls into the trap of adulation. This book is the best comprehensive study of the Empire I've read to date. For those who have more than a simple curiosity about Byzantium, I recommend reading the unabridged three-volume work; for those who want an overview of the empire, I can think of no better tome. Norwich's book will doubtlessly pique the reader's interest in this oft-ignored, yet immeasurably important historical epoch. Thank you Mr. Norwich.

Rating:
Summary: Zooming through Byzantium
Review: A Short History of Byzantium is John Julius Norwich's abridgement of his 3 volume work. He begins his book with an apology for skimming so quickly over the surface and vows that he has left out nothing important (adding that if you want more detail, the three-volume version awaits you). I knew virtually nothing about this fascinating period of history. I found the book extremely informative, as well as quite lively and entertaining, with a fabulous cast of characters. My favorite was the wily Theodora, who rises from sex show performer to Empress of Byzantium. (I also liked it when characters I knew from other contexts made an appearance, such as Charlemagne and Eleanor of Aquitaine.) This book also gave me a much better understanding of such things as the crusades, the complex relationship between the Catholic Church, the Byzantine Church and the Byzantine state; and the rivalry between Venice and Genoa. Just as importantly the book has also made me curious about some other things. I'd really like to know more about the Ottoman Empire after reading A Short History of Byzantium.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating!
Review: It is the most balanced view of the byzantine Empire I have ever read, but not only it is a serious historical work; it is also most enjoyable to read. It is the kind of work that, if you ever equated scholarly and boring, will certainly change your mind. to be recomended to every history buff.