I promised myself that this issue would be out before Historicon. I hope it is... I've found a now printer who promises quick service at a cheaper price than I've been paying, so this issue will be a bit larger (48 pages) than what I've been putting out.

This editorial will be short this time, as I want to get the letters in. I would like to comment on a book I've recently read, however.

Michael Ennis has written a first novel entitled Byzantium and it is fantastic. The 700+ pages chronicle the life of Harald Hardrada, mostly focusing on his years of service to the court of the Byzantine Empire and his interaction with the various personalities of the period. Drawn from recorded sagas, Byzantine works and biographies, Mr Ennis' research is top-notch, his battle sequences capturing the essence of the Dark-Ages warrior mentality, reactions, fears and battlefury.

The 'fog of war' and individual combat have never been better described in any work I've read. The book is emotionally gripping, with some absolutely hilarious situations the Varangians manage to get involved in (as well an their views of the 'civilized' Byzantine court with eunuchs, protocol and deceit abounding). Yet the loss of companions, loves and innocence are written of with a gripping flair which rivets the reader to the text, making this a hard to put down book. I heartily recommend this historical novel to anyone interested in this period of history.

See you at HISTORICON!