'...well executed, readable and reliable. It will be a useful textbook survey for students, and a helpful general account for researchers. It is a valuable addition to the available literature on Byzantium in the period from the seventh to the eleventh century.' - John Haldon, Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society '...outstanding on the Empire's military institutions and external relations during the period.' - Runciman Award 1997 judges '...well written and ingeniously organised...a tour de force.' - Anglo-Hellenic Review