Byzantium: The Early Centuries v. 1

This is the sort of book that brings history back to what it ought to be; a rattling good tale backed-up but not swamped by detail. There are many excellent books on Byzantine history but this is one of the few that unashamedly sets out to tell it primarily through its personalities. More Carlyle than Spengler. Character sketches that personalise some the great figures of the Roman Empire in the east as it continued on after the Fall of the West. A much needed book, the first of a trilogy, outlining what is undeniably a much neglected area of history. Despite its struggles, internal as well as external, if it had not existed, it's fair to say every aspect of our existence would be radically different today. Written in a conscious imitation of the great Gibbon, like him it's the little vignettes that bring the characters to life; Constantine the Great, Heraclius, the first Crusader, Basil the Bulgar-Slayer, Constantine Copronymus (`the S**t'), Justinian Rhinotmetus (the runny-nosed). I don't think it would hurt to repeat the quote from the back of the paperback edition..."The reader is conveyed in comfort, as it were in a very superior hovercraft, which glides over all the unevenness of the ground, to the regular melodious sound of the author's prose".
Buy it and tell everyone that Rome did not fall in 475 A.D.

This is a wonderful read (0/0 people found this helpful)

The Byzantium Series is a most wonderful and engaging read, given in an anecdotal style. It does not set out to be a piece of the most in-depth scholarship - though it has all that too, but rather is a magnificent vision of the glory which was Byzantium. No one can approach this subject and not have read the trilogy.

It has inspired me and a colleague to write an Oratorio called "Defeats and Reversals of Byzantine Emperors"

Viscount Norwich's work is simply a must read for everyone!

This is how History should be written. (2/2 people found this helpful)

Having read Steven Runciman's epic trilogy of the Crusades, which I though until now was the best set of history books available, John Julius Norwich's account of Byzantine History easily equals it (if not surpasses it). Characters, heroes, villains and battles are all brought to life by the author. This book is quite succinct, in that it doesn't go into painful detail, just regurgitating facts and figures. It captures the time, mood and atmosphere vividly. I could go on and on, point being - buy this book!

Excellent narrative history about a fascinating city & culture (10/10 people found this helpful)

Starting with Constantine and his rather dubious 'conversion' to christianity (i.e. he never quite got round, like most Romans, to abandoning the pagan gods... just in case!) this is a wonderfully succinct and almost luxurious history of not just the city of Byzantium but the culture and context of it. Norwich is excellent on the twilight of the roman empire, a period little known, understood or written about, but also peoples his history with vivid character portraits. He wears his learning extremely lightly making even the complexities of religious debate and heresies comprehensible for the layman, although there are times where he takes too much knowledge for granted (e.g. when discussing Arian and the Donatists, he doesn't bother to explain who the Donatists are). However this is a minor quibble and it doesn't slow up the narrative at all. Altogether an excellent read.

A wonderful read (12/12 people found this helpful)

Norwich from the outset says that this book is not for academics - with that in mind we can settle down to a glorious read. The book is a fast paced easy to follow read and will enthrall new readers and students of Byzantium alike. Norwich's has a wonderful conversational tone and gives the feeling of a sly guide into this world. You feel his passion for the era and his juicy and scandalous gossip approach to controversial events or naughty titbits is briliant. This book cannot come with high enough praise - you will not be able to put it down - enjoy.

Byzantium: The Early Centuries v. 1

John Julius Norwich

Reader Reviews:

BYZANTIUM: THE EARLY CENTURIES - JOHN JULIUS NORWICH (0/1 people found this helpful)

This is a wonderful read (0/0 people found this helpful)

This is how History should be written. (2/2 people found this helpful)

Excellent narrative history about a fascinating city & culture (10/10 people found this helpful)

A wonderful read (12/12 people found this helpful)

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