Becoming Charlemagne: Europe, Baghdad, and the Empires of A.D. 800

“Magnificently chronicles four significant years in the emperor’s life . . . A splendid portrait [with] dazzling glimpses of Charlemagne’s life and times.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) On Christmas morning in the year 800, Pope Leo III placed the crown of imperial Rome on the brow of a Germanic king named Karl. With one gesture, the man later hailed as Charlemagne claimed his empire and forever shaped the destiny of Europe. Becoming Charlemagne tells the story of the international power struggle that led to this world-changing event. “Illuminat[ing] the shadowy corners of an era shrouded in the mists of legend” (Kirkus Reviews), this far-ranging book shows how the Frankish king and his wise counselors built an empire not only through warfare but also by careful diplomacy. With consummate political skill, Charlemagne partnered with a scandal-ridden pope, fended off a ruthless Byzantine empress, nurtured Jewish communities in his empire, and fostered ties with a famous Islamic caliph. For 1,200 years, the deeds of Charlemagne captured the imagination of his descendants, inspiring kings and crusaders, the conquests of Napoléon and Hitler, and the optimistic architects of the European Union. Evoking a long-ago world of kings, caliphs, merchants, and monks, Jeff Sypeck crafts a vivid portrait of Karl, the ruler who became a legend, and transports readers beyond Europe to the glittering palaces of Constantinople and streets of medieval Baghdad, bringing alive an age of empire building that still resonates today. “Vibrant . . . an inspired, instantly readable work of popular history.” —Booklist “Describes in wonderful detail the Byzantine empire and Queen Irene, the Arab world of Harun al-Rashid, and the nation-state headed by Pope Leo III.” —Providence Journal