Byzantium: The Surprising Life of a Medieval Empire

"The scope and shape of Herrin's survey of Byzantine history and culture are impressive. She moves from the foundation of Constantinople to its fall before the Turks in a series of 28 short chapters. This allows the curious reader to sample such delectable topics as Greek fire, eunuchs, icons, the Towers of Trebizond,"—New York Review of Books. 390 pages, softcover. Princeton University.