Customer Reviews

Byzantium

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I pulled this hefty tome down off the shelf a few nights ago, looking for a good,sustained winter read. I got one. This epic adventure by Michael Ennis begins on the eve of a great Viking battle for the kingship of Norway, circa 1030 AD, and leads the reader into the intrugue, romance, and adventure of the Byzantine Empire. I had to stop a few times, back up, and take some running starts at this book. I found a dictionary a useful companion and I swear that Mr. Ennis must have worn out a Thesaurus or two, but after a hundred pages, the BIGNESS of the prose matched the period in which the hero, Haraldr Sigurdson, a Viking Prince without portfolio, is placed. This is a richly portrayed tale of the inner core of an empire,replete with slaves and eunichs, beautiful women, lusty warriors knee-deep in gore, sinister priests, murder, insurrection, and so much more.

An excellent read. Goes straight into my list of top 5 books. The story of Harald Sigurdarsson (harald Hardrada) and his journey to Byzantium to serve in the Varangian Guard. His return to the kingship of Norway and inopportune defeat by Harald Godwinsson at Stamford Bridge. I hope the author continues in this vein. There are so many stories to be told from the North.

This is a historical period that holds a great interest for me and the protagonist cuts across so many of the great stories of history. The Norse wars, early interaction between the Vikings and the Principality of Kiev, the Vikings in the Eastern Roman Empire, Byzantium and Persia and finally the Battle of Stamford Bridge in Northern England. Can you believe all that is in one book? And the best part is that it is historically true.

It's a grand adventure played for the absolute highest stakes and that's what gives it such great meaning. It is a very well written novel and if you have any interest in the actual history of the period, this is a plausible and fascinating read. If you have no interest in the history, I am sure this will kindle that spark in you.

If you're just starting to look into Byzantium, check out Lars Brownworth's "12 Byzantine Rulers" for an engaging overview. Its a podcast so you can easily access and enjoy it. And if you are looking for comprehensive detail see "A History of the Byzantine State and Society" by Warren Treadgold.

Byzantium was such an extensive and long lived empire and gave so much to the modern world, but seems forgotten like Constantinople under Istanbul.

As a novel, this was a great read with unforgettable characters and great plotting. You will enjoy it.

A number of years ago I picked up John Julius Norwich's book, A Short History of Byzantium, and became enthralled with Byzantine history and culture. There are very few novels that have been written about Byzantium and when I learned about this one, I had to have it. The book is ok, but anyone who writes a book about a place really ought to like it. Virtually every Byzantine character in this book is evil and corrupt. Plus, as someone who has picked up a lot of Byzantine history, he has more than a few details wrong. That part I don't blame him so much for since this book was written over 20 years ago, before the internet, where you can find a lot of this information. But really, there had to be a few good guys in Byzantium!!!