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pierogi_of_doom's review against another edition
4.0
I read this one after a fiction novel, so it took a while to get into the slower pace and longer chapters in this book.
Ancient history was never my strong suit when it came to learning because nothing ever felt definite. The stories made it easier to follow and to learn, and I guess it helps that the Byzantine empire did persist into the mediaeval period. I did struggle with names, given that many figures were named for their ancestors, but I think a less restless reread should sort that one out.
Plus, I found a copy in my local lending library. Must be a sign.
Ancient history was never my strong suit when it came to learning because nothing ever felt definite. The stories made it easier to follow and to learn, and I guess it helps that the Byzantine empire did persist into the mediaeval period. I did struggle with names, given that many figures were named for their ancestors, but I think a less restless reread should sort that one out.
Plus, I found a copy in my local lending library. Must be a sign.
harperuth's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-paced
5.0
By far my favorite book I've read this year, a beautiful story or both history and father-son bonding. I couldn't put it down.
hamiltoncallum10's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
books17's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this - as someone who knows frightfully little about Roman history (East Roman history, at least, I've got a passing knowledge of the Republic and early Imperial), it was quite a good biography of a fascinating and important city.
Fidler goes through the entire history of Byzantium come Constantinople come Istanbul through its entire history as a capital of the world from 300AD - 1453AD, an incredible eleven century journey laden with tragedy and destruction, interspersed with anecdotes from his son Joe and his trip to Istanbul in the early 2010's.
Though written largely as pop history, and a fairly skeletal overview of some fairly major European events, it does a good job of giving an overview of an incredible range of time. I found the asides regarding their trip interesting and heartwarming, but they also jarred slightly with the historical text - I would be turning the page desperate to know what the next horror to befall the great city was only to find a few pages of describing how his son likes a particular Turkish warm coffee.
Regardless, very enjoyable and consumable and has done its job sparking interest in the history of the Queen of Cities.
Fidler goes through the entire history of Byzantium come Constantinople come Istanbul through its entire history as a capital of the world from 300AD - 1453AD, an incredible eleven century journey laden with tragedy and destruction, interspersed with anecdotes from his son Joe and his trip to Istanbul in the early 2010's.
Though written largely as pop history, and a fairly skeletal overview of some fairly major European events, it does a good job of giving an overview of an incredible range of time. I found the asides regarding their trip interesting and heartwarming, but they also jarred slightly with the historical text - I would be turning the page desperate to know what the next horror to befall the great city was only to find a few pages of describing how his son likes a particular Turkish warm coffee.
Regardless, very enjoyable and consumable and has done its job sparking interest in the history of the Queen of Cities.
paging_snidget's review against another edition
4.0
A highly ambitious book with a large scope but I think it works very well. Highly enjoyable and very informative.
rhour3's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
5.0
A fascinating easy to read account of the establishment of the Roman Empire's Constantinople realm, its highs and lows and tumultuous end. I found it very engaging and was surprised by its connections to places and things elsewhere such as Venice and the Starbucks symbol. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in history.
melbsreads's review against another edition
4.0
Trigger warnings: war, death, murder, torture, assassination, graphic descriptions of wounds and medical procedures.
This is a history of Constantinople under Roman rule, but juxtaposed against the author's experiences travelling to Istanbul with his teenage son, and it was fascinating. I know very little about the eastern Roman empire, so from that perspective this was wonderful. It's an engaging and compelling history, and Fidler's personal anecdotes of his travels really made both the modern and historical city come alive. The travel aspect of it allowed Fidler to tell fairy tales and legends that involve Constantinople or the Eastern empire in some way.
Basically? This was great. But my real takeaway is that the emperor wore thigh high purple boots and that is a mental image that will stay with me forever.
This is a history of Constantinople under Roman rule, but juxtaposed against the author's experiences travelling to Istanbul with his teenage son, and it was fascinating. I know very little about the eastern Roman empire, so from that perspective this was wonderful. It's an engaging and compelling history, and Fidler's personal anecdotes of his travels really made both the modern and historical city come alive. The travel aspect of it allowed Fidler to tell fairy tales and legends that involve Constantinople or the Eastern empire in some way.
Basically? This was great. But my real takeaway is that the emperor wore thigh high purple boots and that is a mental image that will stay with me forever.