Interesting read for those interested in history of the Byzantine time period. One of those fact-type books that can be picked up and put down. Enjoyable.

This is a must for anyone interested in Byzantine history. It offers fascinating glimpses of a very different world in easily digestible and entertaining vignettes. It reveals the Byzantines to be like the modern world in many ways, while completely different in others. A very enjoyable history book.

"In addition to entertainment, A Cabinet of Byzantine Curiosities may also provide....a handy reservoir of tales and anecdotes that amusingly illustrate a range of contexts and situations."

I can't help but directly quote Anthony Kaldellis's preface, because I could find no better way to phrase what mostly makes this such an enjoyable read. Yes, first and foremost he enthusiastically provides an entertaining array of stories to pique all interests, touching upon everything from raunchy scandals, tales of hyper-pious holy fools, all the way to various entries and trivia about their impressive technological and scientific achievements. But on top of that, each and every little tale and scene in this book provides some kind of glimpse into some aspect of the Byzantine Empire, a place that to most people remains a mysterious place at best. With each and every anecdote, exaggerated tale and recorded opinion passed down over through the ages, readers are able to get a diverse collection of glances into life in the Byzantine world from the royal court downward and also a abundance of glimpses into the minds of many of its denizens. As a result, much of fog of mystery is dispersed, and one ends up with a much, much clearer image of a people with a distinct identity and a range of quicks, accomplishments and oddities just as numerous as any people of any other nation, empire or kingdom that ever was.

Anthony Kaldellis has delivered exactly what he promised - historical anecdotes that are by turns provocative, hilarious, evocative, thoughtful, and academic. There is something for everyone in this volume.
A Cabinet of Byzantine Curiosities is a really fun introduction to the people, places, and ideas of Byzantium. After reading this book, you may find, like I did, that there is so much more you want to explore.