Book description
Istanbul has always been a place where stories and histories collide and crackle, where the idea is as potent as the historical fact. From the Qu'ran to Shakespeare, this city with three names - Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul - resonates as an idea and a place, and overspills its boundaries -…
Why read it?
2 authors picked Istanbul as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
It is a wonderful journey through history, but not dry or littered with dates - Hughes' enthusiasm shines through without being judgemental - and a real insight into how the bridge between West, Near East and Middle East became Instanbul today.
A big fat, fact-packed but readable history of the city as it changed from Constantinople into Byzantium and finally Istanbul. This is the book that places Viking immigrants alongside Romans, Goths, Moors, Ottomans, Venetians, and so many other races in a glorious cultural stew that makes the history of most other cities seem linear and dull by comparison.
From Andrew's list on The best books to make you love Istanbul.
If you love Istanbul...
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