Robert Wernick

How do you compress over 1,000 years of history of one of the world's most influential empires into 83 eBook pages? You can't. At least not ably or comprehensively. I would call this book a primer, outline, summary or precis. It's a starting point. The blurb promises, "the unforgettable story of the Byzantine Empire, which dominated the world for more than 1,000 years. Here, too, are the stories of the extraordinary emperors and generals who brought the empire into being and ultimately presided over its demise." It doesn't deliver on that promise, skipping huge swaths of history and reporting on only the emperors and generals whose stories manage to stand out in ten centuries worth of stories.

This kind of book does have a purpose and it serves that purpose well. I would recommend this book to anyone who has little or no knowledge of this important empire and wants to see if they want to delve deeper. It's a well-written teaser for further research or an enjoyable diversion for those who want a little knowledge for their own personal curiosity. (Not judging!--I regularly read light articles or books on topics that I don't want to get too deep into.) If you have some knowledge of this period and/or are looking for research material, skip this one.… (mais)