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Byzantium (Harper Fiction)
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$ 7.91
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| Retail Value |
$ 8.99 |
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$ 1.08 (12%) |
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| Item Number |
56078 |
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Item Description...
Overview
Follows the adventures of an Irish monk as he joins an expedition to present an illuminated manuscript to the Byzantine emperor, a mission by land and sea that makes him a man for all seasons--warrior, slave, and spy. Reprint.
Publishers Description
Born to rule Although born to rule, Aidan lives as a scribe in a remote Irish monastery on the far, wild edge of Christendom. Secure in work, contemplation, and dreams of the wider world, a miracle bursts into Aidan's quiet life. He is chosen to accompany a small band of monks on a quest to the farthest eastern reaches of the known world, to the fabled city of Byzantium, where they are to present a beautiful and costly hand-illuminated manuscript, the Book of Kells, to the Emperor of all Christendom. Thus begins an expedition by sea and over land, as Aidan becomes, by turns, a warrior and a sailor, a slave and a spy, a Viking and a Saracen, and finally, a man. He sees more of the world than most men of his time, becoming an ambassador to kings and an intimate of Byzantium's fabled Golden Court. And finally this valiant Irish monk faces the greatest trial that can confront any man in any age: commanding his own Destiny. |
Item Specifications...
Pages 880
Dimensions: Length: 1.5" Width: 4.25" Height: 6.5"
Weight: 0.85 lbs.
Binding Softcover
Release Date Jul 1, 2097
Publisher Zondervan Publishing
ISBN 0061057541
EAN 9780061057540
UPC 099455007993
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Availability 61 units.
Availability accurate as of May 26, 2012 11:16.
Usually ships within one to two business days from Momence, IL.
Orders shipping to an address other than a confirmed Credit Card / Paypal Billing address may incur and additional processing delay.
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Reviews - What do our customers think?
 | Amazing Jan 18, 2007 |
At nearly 900 pages this book is amazing in many ways. First, you read that much in such a short time, for once you have picked it up you will find yourself unable to put it down. This book is a fictional retelling of St. Aidan's life. St. Paul's Cathedral in London, Ontario has a St. Aidan's Chapel that has a beautiful set of tapestries depicting the life of this servant of God. St. Aidan died in 651 after serving at home in Iona, among the Gauls - first as a slave and then as a Bishop, and he even visited Byzantium in his lifetime, and the seat of the Eastern Roman Empire.
I was familiar with this church and with the artwork depicting Aidan's life. Yet it was not until almost halfway through the book, that I slapped my forehead and said 'Aidan the monk = St. Aidan'. The book is so craft- fully written that one easily becomes so lost in the story that it did not even click that I knew about this tale.
Lawhead is a master wordsmith, who is most know for his Arthurian legend series, or his Celtic series, yet this stand-alone novel is every bit as much worth the time and attention as his other better-known works. This book was a departure for Lawhead, in that it was written from the beginning as a stand-alone. Therefore, if you do not like getting sucked into a series, where you need to read 4 or 5 books to get the whole story, this book is a great starting point in Lawhead's works.
The story in this novel is powerful and moving. It is the story of a young man who was taken as a slave and later returned as a Minister, and eventually as a Bishop. It is the story of the spread of Christendom, and the story of service. Once you begin you will not be able to put this book down. So be warned! | | | | reading is believing Dec 21, 2006 |
| i had to read this as a class project and was just blown away. i hadn't read a book for a long long time, and never read a novel, but this epic tale, really inspired me. it showes the resilience of human spirit put into very trying situations. | | |  | A book that grows Nov 10, 2006 |
As a lover of his "Song of Albion", maybe I expected more. But for me, this book has been unique: Because I finished it, thinking "not too bad". But a long time afterwards I've found I often think about the story, and in my mind it has grown month by month!
How can a book expand like this over time? | | | | outstanding Sep 10, 2006 |
| This is the first Stephen Lawhead book I've read and without a doubt it was an example of fine writing.Through the wonderful pages of this book I was taken on a ride from an Irish monastery , through to being enslaved by vikings then onto ancient Byzantium and beyond.The author was able to create a feeling of empathy for the main character Aiden and I found myself swept away in the pages eagerly following Aidens steps-awaiting the next twist of fait.An absorbing read , totally enjoyable and well worth a place on anyones bookshelf.One of the best books I've read in the last couple of years , along with This thing of darkness by Harry Thompson. | | |  | Lawhead's fiction is to Catholicism what Dan Brown's is to Christianity. Jun 26, 2006 |
I purchased and read the book mostly because I like historical fiction and was interested in seeing how a Protestant deals with Catholic subject matter. The result is disturbing. The main character's crisis of faith and its resolution are interesting and would be believable--were he not an intelligent and educated Catholic monk. In effect, Lawhead's monk regards faith as would a 20th century Evangelical Protestant. The book reflects a complete lack of awareness of Catholic sacramental theology in general and of the Eucharist in particular. The sacraments, especially the Eucharist, are and always have been at the heart of Catholic worship. This is especially true in monastic communities. According to Catholics, the sacraments are the primary means by which God freely infuses grace into his creatures. And yet the main character--a priest and a monk--did not perform a single mass through the entire 850 pages. Nor did he attend mass when he had the opportunity (when in Constantinople). This omission would have been monumental, absolutely enormous, in the mind of any once devout Catholic--especially a priest. Faith is sustained by the sacraments, yet Lawhead's monk doesn't show any awareness that the sacraments exist! This makes the "historical" part of the fiction disturbingly dishonest.
Lawhead also seems as ignorant of the relationship between secular authority and the Church in the 10th century as he is of the sacramental life of the Church. While the emperor would have been able to practically intervene in the actual practices of the Apostolic See, he would not have been in any way considered the "Supreme Head of the Church." He was considered a secular ruler and in this subordinate even to common priests: et ideo nos a vobis recte judicamur. | | | Write your own review about Byzantium (Harper Fiction)
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