Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire That Rescued Western Civilization Audiobook, by Lars Brownworth Play Audiobook Sample

Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire That Rescued Western Civilization Audiobook

Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire That Rescued Western Civilization Audiobook, by Lars Brownworth Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Lars Brownworth Publisher: Random House Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 6.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 5.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: September 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780307577252

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

8

Longest Chapter Length:

76:16 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

73:45 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

75:26 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

4

Other Audiobooks Written by Lars Brownworth: > View All...

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Publisher Description

Filled with unforgettable stories of emperors, generals, and religious patriarchs, as well as fascinating glimpses into the life of the ordinary citizen, Lost to the West reveals how much we owe to the Byzantine Empire that was the equal of any in its achievements, appetites, and enduring legacy. For more than a millennium, Byzantium reigned as the glittering seat of Christian civilization. When Europe fell into the Dark Ages, Byzantium held fast against Muslim expansion, keeping Christianity alive.  Streams of wealth flowed into Constantinople, making possible unprecedented wonders of art and architecture. And the emperors who ruled Byzantium enacted a saga of political intrigue and conquest as astonishing as anything in recorded history. Lost to the West is replete with stories of assassination, mass mutilation and execution, sexual scheming, ruthless grasping for power, and clashing armies that soaked battlefields with the blood of slain warriors numbering in the tens of thousands.

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"An astonishingly well-written and readable account of the history of the Byzantine Empire, always with an eye towards narrative rather than dry lists of names and dates. It is certainly not an overstatement to say that this book gave me a fresh appreciation for the Eastern Roman Empire and of the continuity of the Roman Empire in the East that is usually ignored by classical scholars (I was too used to the version that goes, "The empire split into West and East, then the Western empire collapsed and that was the end of Rome")."

— Colin (5 out of 5 stars)

Lost to the West Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.45454545454545 out of 53.45454545454545 out of 53.45454545454545 out of 53.45454545454545 out of 53.45454545454545 out of 5 (3.45)
5 Stars: 5
4 Stars: 7
3 Stars: 5
2 Stars: 3
1 Stars: 2
Narration: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Matthew Carr, 3/1/2024
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " The author is reading the book. Ugh. But the material is interesting. Finally put this back on the "shelf." I'll get back to it later--maybe. "

    — Pat, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " history nerds will like this book. "

    — Melissa, 2/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " A complete and utter travesty. This book is little more than an epitome of J.J. Norwich's trilogy, which is quite bad. Brownworth writes well and tells a good story, but it's frequently a story very far from the historical reality. Given that he had the time to do some research between his podcast and the release of his book and it's disappointing to see that he did almost nothing. The picture of Byzantium represented here is very far from the ideas of modern scholarship, it's a crime to release such a volume on to the public. "

    — Lucas, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Lots and lots of information. About half of it is interesting information. "

    — Nathan, 2/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This is a very readable summary of Byzantine history. Most people think the Roman Empire died in 476 when Rome fell. But New Rome (Constantinople) went on for a thousand more years. And if you talk to some Russians, they'll say it lasted 500 more years after that in Moscow. What I got from this book was good meditation time on leadership. The author concentrates on the emperors, and they are a decidedly mixed bag. Entertaining, enlightening. "

    — Rod, 2/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book is the whole reason for my new found obsession with the Byzantine empire. It was an excellently written overview that whetted my appetite for more infomation "

    — Becky, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " An intriguing history, with particular attention given to the emperors of Constantinople. "

    — Brenton, 1/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Interesting, but oh-so-bloody. "

    — Danielle, 12/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Excellent, enjoyable read about one of the most fascinating epochs in world history in general and Christendom in particular. Highly recommended. "

    — Ak, 12/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " We never even touched on the Byzantine empire in high school or even college. This book, although only a survey, packs a lot of info into a short easy to read book. "

    — Eric, 7/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " excellent history of later day Romans and their impact on Europe, the churchs, and learning. "

    — Vic, 7/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Could've been a lot better, and not clinging to cliches and debunked myths. For a starters in Byzantine history, who have never read anything about the topic, it is OK. "

    — Philip, 6/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Fascinating thriller of events that span centuries! Rome did last over a 1000 years. If you are a history fan you want to best friends with Lars! "

    — Donna, 5/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Fascinating and the author took time to respond to my email. "

    — Ryan, 5/6/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Engaging but flawed introduction to Byzantine history. "

    — Brendan, 8/15/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Laars Brownworth's "Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire That Rescued Western Civilization" is well researched and a insightful read. I consider this work as a foundational stone correcting the historical account of the real fall of the Roman Empire. "

    — Yonnibardavi, 8/4/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " was compelled by his podcast so I got his book. It is very approachable for learning the basics about the eastern roman empire. Very easy to read. I really don't think I have it in me to read Gibbon! "

    — Jeremy, 3/25/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " excellent history of later day Romans and their impact on Europe, the churchs, and learning. "

    — Vic, 3/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " history nerds will like this book. "

    — Melissa, 6/15/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " i need more books on the eastern roman empire. i love this stuff. a 1200 year old empire that was at constant war, and who's politics cleaved christianity in half. "

    — Chuck, 5/14/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A history book, but not in the least bit dry, and the history of the Byzantine Empire never taught in any history classes I took. "

    — Jen, 5/5/2010

About Lars Brownworth

Lars Brownworth is an author, speaker, broadcaster, and teacher based in Maryland. He created the first history podcast, “12 Byzantine Rulers,” which Apple recognized as one of the “top fifty podcasts that defined their genres.” He has written for the Wall Street Journal and been profiled in the New York Times, who likened him to some of history’s great popularizers. His books include Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization, The Normans: From Raiders to Kings, and The Sea Wolves: A History of the Vikings.