Lost to the West

The Forgotten Byzantine Empire That Rescued Western Civilization

By: Lars Brownworth

Narrated by: Lars Brownworth

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.©2009 Lars Brownworth; (P)2009 Random House

Critic reviews

“Captivating . . . In Lost to the West Lars Brownworth shows a novelist’s eye for character, bringing to life some of the most fascinating—and yet little known—figures of the Byzantine era. With dry humor and a palette of vivid images, he recounts the dizzying game of musical chairs that placed one usurper after another on the Byzantine throne, only to be pitched off in a gaudily macabre way. In the end, one is left agog by the irony that the upshot of this centuries-long scrum was the preservation of nearly all that the Greeks have bequeathed to us.”—Steven Pressfield, author of Gates of Fire

“Confidently striding through time and across the mountains and plains of the Eastern Mediterranean, Brownworth puts this theocratic superstate slap-bang in the center of mankind's global story; back where it should be. The Byzantines made our world what it is today. Lars Brownworth matches their verve and brio in his seductive and gripping account.”—Bettany Hughes, PBS host and author of Helen of Troy

“This is history as it used to be, history as storytelling. In this fascinating account of the Byzantine empire, Lars Brownworth covers a thousand years of bloodletting, outrageous luxury, bitter religious disputes and vaulting ambition without giving the slightest impression of being rushed or crowded. The page turns unaided.”—Anthony Everitt, bestselling author of Augustus, Cicero and The First Emperor

“A hugely entertaining and often moving portrait of a civilization to which the modern West owes an immense but neglected debt. Read it, and you will never use the word ‘Byzantine’ as a term of abuse again.”—Thomas Holland, author of Millennium, Persian Fire and Rubicon


“Lost to the West is the sort of history I wish I’d been offered in school—a fast-paced adventure story that covers over a thousand years of political intrigue, brilliant leaders, incompetent squabblers, mayhem, butchery and religious divides, and vividly pictures a bygone era that is still a vital part of our heritage.”—Mark Pendergrast, author of Uncommon Grounds

“The Byzantines are back! Correcting centuries of neglect, Lars Brownworth guides us through a forgotten world and, with clarity and wit, brings it to vibrant life. Filled with a dazzling cast of ruthless Emperors, conniving generals and half-crazed scholars, Lost to the West is both entertaining and enlightening -- a great piece of popular history.”—Tony Perrottet, author of Pagan Holiday and The Naked Olympics

So much to learn!

Would you listen to Lost to the West again? Why?

Did you ever read a book that made you realize how truly ignorant you were? Sure you learned bits in pieces along the way in academia but if you were not a history major this is a must listen.

Very well balanced and nonstop action. styled.

I loved it. The ending was the best. It was an EXCELLENT summary and much more balanced and detailed yet quick and entertaining compared to other boring versions of Roman and Byzantine history I've read, and gives as fair as possible a balanced representation of all groups and individuals involved. I will listen to it again and again, God willing.

Great intro

Engaging story presentation, very fast paced at times. Can miss big things if you're doing too much while listening. Fantastic intro to Byzantine history

Excellent Overview

The author is the narrator and does a very good job. Overall an excellent read/listen to anyone interested in the history of this time period.

Excellent story and story telling - coherent.

Would you consider the audio edition of Lost to the West to be better than the print version?

Easier to get through the audio in the car than sitting and reading.

What other book might you compare Lost to the West to and why?

Edward Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is excellent, and it covers the Eastern Empire to the end in 1453 as well. But there is so much detail that a reader will lose his place in the story. Lost to the West has the right amount of detail to keep the story logically connected and prevent the reader (listener) from losing his place.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Discouraging to realize how often the Byzantines, and their Western Roman brothers were their own worst enemies, more losing the Empire than being beaten by outsiders.

Any additional comments?

Gibbon's books would be more appreciated if the reader had a good idea of the thread from beginning to end, which is easier to take away from Lost to the West.