Krispos of Videssos [Import] [Paperback]

Harry Turtledove (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Ballantine Books Inc.; 1St Edition edition (November 7, 1991)
• ISBN-10: 0099954206
• ISBN-13: 978-0099954200
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Harry Turtledove is the award-winning author of the alternate-history works The Man with the Iron Heart; The Guns of the South; How Few Remain (winner of the Sidewise Award for Best Novel); the Worldwar saga: In the Balance, Tilting the Balance, Upsetting the Balance, and Striking the Balance; the Colonization books: Second Contact, Down to Earth, and Aftershocks; the Great War epics: American Front, Walk in Hell, and Breakthroughs; the American Empire novels: Blood & Iron, The Center Cannot Hold, and Victorious Opposition; and the Settling Accounts series: Return Engagement, Drive to the East, The Grapple, and In at the Death. Turtledove is married to fellow novelist Laura Frankos. They have three daughters: Alison, Rachel, and Rebecca.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars in Not Enough, August 15, 2000

By 

silliman89 "silliman89" (Burke, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Krispos of Videssos (Tale of Krispos, No 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

The Tale of Krispos series, is actually a two book set about young Krispos, followed by a stand-alone third book about a mature Krispos and his kids. The Tale of (young) Krispos begins with "Krispos Rising", and continues seamlessly with "Krispos of Videssos". This is a classic rags to riches story, perfectly done, with the added adventure of a sword and sorcery tale. Krispos is born into the humblest of beginnings, then his life gets even worse. Just when you think things might be turning around for him, things get even worse than that. Finally he is left with nothing, and sets out to seek his own fortune in the world. You get to enjoy Krispos' rise from the very depths of the low, to the utmost pinnacle of his world, every step of the way. It is thoroughly enjoyable, not only because Krispos so richly deserves his reward, but also because his world of Videssos is a better place with him at the top.

The spellbinding detail of the world of Videssos was painstakingly developed in the author's first series, The Videssos Cycle, beginning with "The Misplaced Legion". This is a story about elements of one of Caesar's legions travelling into Rome's future of the Byzantine Empire. Only it's not the real Byzantine Empire, it's a parallel universe where magic works. Aside from that, it's Byzantium written by a Byzantine historian. In his first series, Harry Turtledove is contrasting the vigor of an expanding Roman Empire under Caesar with the decadence of the Byzantine Empire in decline. In his Tale of Krispos series, he is contrasting the industrious work ethic of the rural peasants with the jaded debauchery of the Empire's noble elite. With 1000 years of Byzantine history at his command, the author is able to richly describe detailed colorful characters, places, and events in this series, the same way he did in the first. They all ring true, because they are based (sometimes loosely) upon real historical fact. The realism of Videssos is unsurpassed.

The Tale of (young) Krispos is a must read for anyone who likes to read a gripping tale about a young man's struggle to reach the top. It is also a must read for anyone who is fascinated by the inner workings of ancient empires, particularly the Byzantine and Roman. Finally, it is a must read for anyone who likes sword and sorcery stories, because there is an evil wizard to defeat, and a barbarian invasion to turn back.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars INTRIGUE and ADVENTURE are the keywords here!, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Krispos of Videssos (Tale of Krispos, No 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

The story continues in book 2 with more fast-paced intrigue and adventure. This sequel is impossible to put down. So what if you miss a little sleep!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Go get them Krispos, June 24, 2000

By 

H. Sowle "ms2thdr" (RI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Krispos of Videssos (Tale of Krispos, No 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Krispos is just a poor farm kid, or is he? The stars seem to have other ideas. As I followed Krispos from his rural and slave beginings to wearing the red boots of Avtokraor the intrigue and action was non-stop. Another Harry Turtldove must read!