Written in 1928, this is a breezy, facile short biography and study of Anna Comnena, Byzantine princess and woman historian. Anna wrote about her father, Emperor Alexios Comnenos, in the The Alexiad of Anna Comnena. We could almost term it a hagiography; Anna was so filled with effusive praise for him. Mitchison's writing makes for enjoyable reading, filled with the author's own speculations, prejudices, and conclusions as to Anna's life and personality. She also covers those of her family and of her arch-enemies, Count Robert and Bohemond of Guiscard. Mitchison immerses us in Byzantine life and customs of the upper class of that period [11th-12th centuries A.D.]. She touches on the Crusades. Not even 100 pp. in length, this book was a pleasure to read.(less) ( )