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A review by melbsreads
Ghost Empire by Richard Fidler
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.