Lost to the West

The Byzantine Empire is usually remembered for its striking religious icons, its Orthodox Christianity, and the glory that was Constantinople between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance of Western Europe. This book does a marvelous job of delving deeper into Byzantine history to show us how it endured and saved European culture. Author and narrator Lars Brownworth hits the daily double by both writing an excellent book and narrating it with aplomb, intelligence, and wit. He has a calm, friendly voice, and he uses it to make the material accessible and interesting. He enunciates every word and, as the author, knows where to provide emphasis for effect. Brownworth is not flashy, but he tells the story well. R.I.G. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine