Discovering Byzantium

Hello all. In one of my many insomnia driven google searches involving byzantium I stumbled upon this forum and i knew i had to join the site as soon as i found this thread. My interest in the Empire sprouted from the Total War game series, specifically Rome Barbarian Invasion and Medieval II. After realizing that the East Roman faction in BI that took up nearly half the map and the Byzantine Empire in Medieval that took up a relatively tiny splotch of land in the balkans and western anatolia were one and the same I had to find out what had happend in the interim. I envy those of you who were introduced to the subject by your grandpappy taking you on their knee and regaling you with tales of the old country, but hey you take what you can get. Something i havnt seen mention yet as a good source of information is audio lecture series. The Teaching Company makes a good course on the Byzantine Empire called World of Byzantium given by professor Kenneth Harl who is a lot of fun to listen to.The only complaint I have on it is I think he spends too little time on the middle byzantine period. He also gives a good course on the Crusades giving equal coverage to latins greeks and muslims. For those of you who dont have $100 to kick out  for a course and are adversed to the piratic arts there is always Lars Brownworth's 12 byzantine emperors podcast series for free on itunes. In print you cant beat Norwich and Psellus.

Looks like a good thread could develope here? But since I am devoid of these sources, it looks like I cannot be of much aid?

Regards,