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Title: A Short History of Byzantium by John Julius Norwich ISBN: 0-679-77269-3 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 29 December, 1998 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $17.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.44 (57 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: 1100 Years of History, Quickly told and Full of Life
Comment: 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.
Rating: 5
Summary: Easy reading compared to John Fine...
Comment: I read Dr. John Fine's two-volume "History of the Balkans" and then became engrossed with Colleen McCollough's fictional works on the Roman Republic/Empire. Recognizing my interests, my friend Russell the reference librarian recommended J.J. Norwich.
The Roman Empire lasted a good deal longer than most people think. It continued another 1,000 years after the Emperor relocated from Rome to Constantinople. The western part of Europe was "at odds" with this Eastern entity for a number of centuries. (Christian theological differences are old). These ancient "attitudes" have been reflected in the various stances nations have taken recently toward Serbia (Orthodox Christian).
This book is a distillation of the long, prosperous, and at times harrowing history of the Orthodox Christians of the Roman Empire. These people did not call themselves "Byzantines" or "Byzantium" but rather thought of themselves as Romans, albeit very Greek Romans (spoke and wrote in Greek).
The Roman Empire did not end until the 1400's when the (Turks-Ottomans-Muslims) captured Constantinople. To their credit, the Muslim invaders did not destroy all the books and historical documents left behind --why we know something today of the entire history of the Roman Empire.
Norwich writes extremely well, and although this history is not easy to follow, if you're interested in the topic, this is a good place to begin.
Rating: 5
Summary: Read This Book!
Comment: 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.
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Title: Ottoman Centuries by Lord Kinross ISBN: 0688080936 Publisher: William Morrow Pub. Date: 01 August, 1979 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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Title: The Fall of Constantinople 1453 by Steven Runciman ISBN: 0521398320 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 13 September, 1990 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
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Title: A History of Venice by John Julius Norwich ISBN: 0679721975 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 18 June, 1989 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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Title: Ancient Turkey: A Traveller's History by Seton Lloyd ISBN: 0520220420 Publisher: University of California Press Pub. Date: May, 1999 List Price(USD): $17.84 |
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Title: Istanbul: The Imperial City by John Freely ISBN: 0140244611 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: July, 1998 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
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