Lars Brownworth is an author, educator, and podcaster known for his work popularizing history, particularly the Byzantine Empire and Viking explorations. He was a pioneer in the field of educational podcasts with his series "12 Byzantine Rulers," which became very popular and led to the publication of the book "Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire That Rescued Western Civilization." Brownworth's engaging narrative style makes complex historical periods accessible to a general audience. He has written other books as well, such as "The Normans: From Raiders to Kings" and "In Distant Lands: A Short History of the Crusades," contributing to the popular understanding of Medieval history. His work has garnered praise for making the rich tapestry of history intriguing and accessible to non-academic readers and listeners around the world.