An interesting discussion of the last Byzantine Ruler. Good use was made of the scanty records of his reign. One very interesting section is the one describing the numerous legends that have accrued around this unfortunate man. There is a geneological table, and several illustrations of sites Constantine was familiar with during his life. ( )

This slim volume is the first biography of Constantine XI since the late 1800's and is a fascinating read. Not much is known about his early life; we follow him as Despot [=Governor?] of the Morea [medieval name of the Peloponnese] along with 2 of his brothers, then as [technically uncrowned=not in a formal Orthodox ceremony] Emperor. He knows the new Sultan, Mehmet II, will be trying to conquer Constantinople and frantically appeals to the west for help. Only highlights of its Fall are given since they've been covered in detail elsewhere. There are interesting sections on his death and the legends that have grown up around him. One states he is only sleeping and one day will awake and take back Constantinople. To me, the main story was told, but the author did have an extra chapter on later Palaiologi; the line became extinct with his brother Thomas's family. And it covered various pretenders. Any Palaeologi left in the world are probably from distant branches of the family. I felt this last chapter was just fluff to pad out the book and not really intrinsic.

Constantine is presented as a tragic though heroic figure. It seems he was dogged by bad luck all through his life in many aspects. His two marriages did not last long with the early death of each wife and he died a widower without issue. Any help from the west was too little, too late.

Very highly recommended. ( )