Negative Positive
Title: A much needed second opinion
Review: Although now nearly three decades old, Professor Constance Head's book still strikes an important note. Head professionally lays out an argument seeking the truth behind Justinian II's cruel reputation. I highly recommend her book to anybody who has ever read Turteltaub's (Turtledove's) "Justinian."Head gives an excellent description of the problem with the primary sources modern historians have on Justinian II's lifetime. Her book goes a long way toward showing Justinian II's constructive side, whereas most other recent authors have concentrated exclusively on branding the emperor as a bloodthirsty pyschopath. Although she tries to portray Justinian more constructively, Head is clear that she is not exonerating Justinian of his mistakes. She simply seeks to point out the historical Justinian II and to explain his life.
Is the review positive or negative? 