Byzantium: The Apogee

This second book in Norwich's trilogy eloquently takes the reader through Byzantium's tangled and complex high period. The journey is intriguing, at times hair-raising (most memorably the desperate and sorry end of Michael V: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_V) and beautifully written throughout.

The author writes with an obvious passion, critical eye and at times a dry wit as he takes the reader over the years starting with the crowning of Charlemagne, through the phases of Iconoclasm and then the Great Schism between the eastern and western churches then on past the pivotal Battle of Manzikert. All through this the Byzantine imperial families are ever restless, making both sound and ludicrous tactical and political decisions that show more see the empire's borders continue to change in an almost fluid fashion. As I turned the last page I felt just as hooked as I ever have been on any work of fiction.

A fine piece. show less

The empress Irene having passed on, power comes to Nicephorous I, one of history's great "Fixers". He is decisive and clear about his goals, and after him, the Empire not only survives, but once again is expanding. The Saga continues through to the great catastrophe of Manzikert in 1071. Norwich has a sure hand with this popularization of a crucial age and area of Europe's History. Well worth the time spent reading this one!

A good basic introduction, by the standards of history books a racy read about a much mis-understood civilisation. Read it, enjoy it, but if you want to read more move on to Treadgold etc. for a more exacting description of a fascinating culture.

John Julius Norwich provides in his trilogy an excellent overview of Byzantine civilization. For the general reader looking to get the whole picture, or for the scholar probing into a new field, this book is an excellent introduction. For someone already well acquainted with the Byzantines, this is a narrative history, useful for quick consultation but not as deep in any particular subject as you would probably require.

Muy bueno, se lee como una saga de aventuras mas que como un libro de historia, me hace acordar a la marcha de la locura de Tuchman como se va preanunicando el desastre y nadie hace nada para cambiar el rumbo, da pena la ceguera de la gente. las peles entre los nobles, las intrigas palaciegas y religiosas. En fin la historia de la humanidad