Byzantium

An excellent read. Goes straight into my list of top 5 books. The story of Harald Sigurdarsson (harald Hardrada) and his journey to Byzantium to serve in the Varangian Guard. His return to the kingship of Norway and inopportune defeat by Harald Godwinsson at Stamford Bridge. I hope the author continues in this vein. There are so many stories to be told from the North.

I pulled this hefty tome down off the shelf a few nights ago, looking for a good,sustained winter read. I got one. This epic adventure by Michael Ennis begins on the eve of a great Viking battle for the kingship of Norway, circa 1030 AD, and leads the reader into the intrugue, romance, and adventure of the Byzantine Empire. I had to stop a few times, back up, and take some running starts at this book. I found a dictionary a useful companion and I swear that Mr. Ennis must have worn out a Thesaurus or two, but after a hundred pages, the BIGNESS of the prose matched the period in which the hero, Haraldr Sigurdson, a Viking Prince without portfolio, is placed. This is a richly portrayed tale of the inner core of an empire,replete with slaves and eunichs, beautiful women, lusty warriors knee-deep in gore, sinister priests, murder, insurrection, and so much more.