This book provides a wonderful insight into the women of the Byzantine empire from 1025 to 1204. Exceptionally well written for a book by an academic, the prose reads easily without much professorial pomposity. For those interested in Byzantine history, particularly the Comnene era, the author explains with clear details how a number of mid-11th century women brought about the changes needed to recover from 50 years of incompetent rulers. I cannot recommend it highly enough!