Anna opened this book with setting the stage for the war with Robert pitching a camp and George Palaeologus fortifying the city, portraying its residents and George Palaeologus as fearless and strong and Robert as an experienced leader in battle. She then described the opening sea battle and techniques used, including letters to the emperor as a source of some of the information. As the war continued into the winter, Anna described how Robert shifted tactics to preventing reinforcements from coming through the straits. With another reference to letters as communication between the emperor, George Palaeologus, and other informants, Anna continued with her description of the battles, the consolidation of the Byzantine army and descriptions of the key players and her personal connection to them. Anna continued, describing both the Norman and the Byzantine armies' strengths and strategies in the war interspersing these descriptions with vivid imagery of moments in the battles. As she concluded her description of this war, Anna (as described and quoted in Cartwright's article), emphasized her credentials as an impartial historian despite describing events that happened to her family members.