The Alexiad, a compelling, dramatic account of the Emperor Alexios of the Byzantine Empire (about 1050-1118), was written by Alexios' highly educated and articulate daughter, Anna Komnene. A princess raised in the royal court, Komnene (latinized as Comnena) is generally regarded as the first woman historian. She wrote the book from a convent during the last years of her life. This epic book covers the First Crusade, daily life at the court, internal plots and intrigues, wars and invasions, and religious heresies--all from the perspective of one who was there. It is the only primary source of...