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Review
'This sumptuous book by author and photographer Jeremy Stafford-Deitsch is in essence a love poem to the evocative landscapes and ruins of Asia Minor. It is brimming with gorgeous photographs, both of well known sites and of a connoisseur's secrets hiding well off the beaten track. The expert will be mightily impressed by these unique shots and the newcomer inspired through exposure to the rich cultural heritage of millennia, here presented in a series of awe-inspiring, mountainous panoramas. The accompanying text is an empathic travelogue full of enjoyable allusions to the classical tradition that segues into a well-written historical narrative stretching from prehistory to the end of the Byzantine Empire. There is so much to savour here, for Anatolian aficionados and newcomers alike.' --Barbara E Borg, Professor of Classical Archaeology, University of Exeter
'Jeremy Stafford-Deitsch's odyssey chronicles the history and culture of the successive peoples who have followed one another in turn across the immemorial landscape of what is now Turkey, recording in his superb photographs the monuments and works of art that they have left behind. He evokes the lost worlds of these vanished and almost forgotten Anatolian civilizations, veritable 'Kingdoms of Ruin', which now come to light again in his remarkable book.' --John Freely, author of 'The Western Shores of Turkey' and 'Istanbul: The Imperial City'
'Jeremy Stafford-Deitsch's odyssey chronicles the history and culture of the successive peoples who have followed one another in turn across the immemorial landscape of what is now Turkey, recording in his superb photographs the monuments and works of art that they have left behind. He evokes the lost worlds of these vanished and almost forgotten Anatolian civilizations, veritable 'Kingdoms of Ruin', which now come to light again in his remarkable book.' --John Freely, author of 'The Western Shores of Turkey' and 'Istanbul: The Imperial City'
Product Description
Turkey boasts a legacy of extraordinary richness and magnificence. From the dawn of civilization Anatolia spawned great empires of her own - Hittite, Phrygian and Lydian - and then felt the mark of Persia, Greece and Rome. The story of the country is one of migration and conquest, artistic and spiritual splendour and cities and gods trampled underfoot. The brutal greatness of this complex past is reflected in the ruins populating the region's immense landscape. Some sites, such as Homer-haunted Troy, white marbled Ephesus and the lofty acropolis of Pergamon, are already familiar to the modern visitor. More intrepid travellers encounter fallen cities that may be less famous, but are no less spectacular. They leave wondering what yet awaits discovery along the timeless Aegean coastline, either buried in the shadows of resin-scented pine-forests or clinging to the foothills of distant, snow-capped mountains. In 'Kingdoms of Ruin', acclaimed photographer Jeremy Stafford-Deitsch presents 150 sublime full-colour images to illustrate the unparalleled glory of Anatolia's matchless ancient sites. Some are world famous, some are known only to scholars while a few are visited only by shepherds and treasure hunters. Introduced by an extensive contextualising essay, 'Kingdoms of Ruin' will be essential reading for historians of antiquity and armchair travellers alike.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As I read the text and admired the beautiful photographs of Jeremy Stafford-Deitsch's most recent work, I couldn't help but wish that it had been published years before when I was traveling through Europe in my early twenties. Had I realized that ruins on this scale exist in Turkey, I would have strayed a little farther off of the backpacker's beaten path during those footloose days. From the Neolithic discoveries at Çatalhöyük through Schliemann's claims at Troy, to the fall of the Byzantine Empire and the establishment of the Ottoman, Jeremy Stafford-Deitsch touches on all of the mighty players with whom we are familiar, and a great deal more with whom we are sadly not.
Yet the book is not just a compilation of photos, or a dry-as-dust timeline of civilization upon civilization. Instead, the reader is invited to discover the quiet but powerful significance of ruins that once rang with life, with the voices of people long since dead - communicating to the modern world through their monumental works. Stafford-Deitsch is not the first to discover these ruins; nor shall he be the last, and the easy progression of photos somehow recognizes and embraces this fact - weaving eighteenth century line drawings and artist's interpretations in with the breathtaking sites as we see them today. This in itself is significant; as one generation builds upon and revisits the discoveries of the ones before.
The large format photographs so loved by this author/photographer, are, as always, beautifully composed, sharp and well framed (see The Monuments of Ancient Egypt by JSD) - and betray an eye that sees beyond the tangible to capture the sublime. Apart from the image that opens his text there is not the merest glimpse of a human being in the shots, yet his photos are never lacking in humanity.
I would highly recommend this well-researched and fascinating book, as much for the quality of the photos, as for the history lesson with a refreshing dose of philosophy and introspection. Stafford-Deitsch does a fine job of chronicling the rise and fall of the many civilizations that have peopled Anatolia's mountains, landscapes and shores over the millennia. I shall certainly turn to it for inspiration when I shelve the mortgage and grab the backpack once again!
Yet the book is not just a compilation of photos, or a dry-as-dust timeline of civilization upon civilization. Instead, the reader is invited to discover the quiet but powerful significance of ruins that once rang with life, with the voices of people long since dead - communicating to the modern world through their monumental works. Stafford-Deitsch is not the first to discover these ruins; nor shall he be the last, and the easy progression of photos somehow recognizes and embraces this fact - weaving eighteenth century line drawings and artist's interpretations in with the breathtaking sites as we see them today. This in itself is significant; as one generation builds upon and revisits the discoveries of the ones before.
The large format photographs so loved by this author/photographer, are, as always, beautifully composed, sharp and well framed (see The Monuments of Ancient Egypt by JSD) - and betray an eye that sees beyond the tangible to capture the sublime. Apart from the image that opens his text there is not the merest glimpse of a human being in the shots, yet his photos are never lacking in humanity.
I would highly recommend this well-researched and fascinating book, as much for the quality of the photos, as for the history lesson with a refreshing dose of philosophy and introspection. Stafford-Deitsch does a fine job of chronicling the rise and fall of the many civilizations that have peopled Anatolia's mountains, landscapes and shores over the millennia. I shall certainly turn to it for inspiration when I shelve the mortgage and grab the backpack once again!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As a keen photographer based in Turkey I was keen to get some inspiration into photographing the ruins of Turkey.
The (presumably) large format photography used here is superb and the composition and shooting conditions are clearly well thought out.
I've not yet been able to get past the glory of the photographs to actually read the text (!) but if the authors written word is as good as his photography then it should be a pleasure to read.
The (presumably) large format photography used here is superb and the composition and shooting conditions are clearly well thought out.
I've not yet been able to get past the glory of the photographs to actually read the text (!) but if the authors written word is as good as his photography then it should be a pleasure to read.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Fascinating book - glorious photos!
19 July 2010
Format:Hardcover
As I read the text and admired the beautiful photographs of Jeremy Stafford-Deitsch's most recent work, I couldn't help but wish that it had been published years before when I was traveling through Europe in my early twenties. Had I realized that ruins on this scale exist in Turkey, I would have strayed a little farther off of the backpacker's beaten path during those footloose days. From the Neolithic discoveries at Çatalhöyük through Schliemann's claims at Troy, to the fall of the Byzantine Empire and the establishment of the Ottoman, Jeremy Stafford-Deitsch touches on all of the mighty players with whom we are familiar, and a great deal more with whom we are sadly not.
Yet the book is not just a compilation of photos, or a dry-as-dust timeline of civilization upon civilization. Instead, the reader is invited to discover the quiet but powerful significance of ruins that once rang with life, with the voices of people long since dead - communicating to the modern world through their monumental works. Stafford-Deitsch is not the first to discover these ruins; nor shall he be the last, and the easy progression of photos somehow recognizes and embraces this fact - weaving eighteenth century line drawings and artist's interpretations in with the breathtaking sites as we see them today. This in itself is significant; as one generation builds upon and revisits the discoveries of the ones before.
The large format photographs so loved by this author/photographer, are, as always, beautifully composed, sharp and well framed (see: The Monuments of Ancient Egypt by JSD) - and betray an eye that sees beyond the tangible to capture the sublime. Apart from the image that opens his text there is not the merest glimpse of a human being in the shots, yet his photos are never lacking in humanity.
I would highly recommend this well-researched and fascinating book, as much for the quality of the photos, as for the history lesson with a refreshing dose of philosophy and introspection. Stafford-Deitsch does a fine job of chronicling the rise and fall of the many civilizations that have peopled Anatolia's mountains, landscapes and shores over the millennia. I shall certainly turn to it for inspiration when I shelve the mortgage and grab the backpack once again!
Yet the book is not just a compilation of photos, or a dry-as-dust timeline of civilization upon civilization. Instead, the reader is invited to discover the quiet but powerful significance of ruins that once rang with life, with the voices of people long since dead - communicating to the modern world through their monumental works. Stafford-Deitsch is not the first to discover these ruins; nor shall he be the last, and the easy progression of photos somehow recognizes and embraces this fact - weaving eighteenth century line drawings and artist's interpretations in with the breathtaking sites as we see them today. This in itself is significant; as one generation builds upon and revisits the discoveries of the ones before.
The large format photographs so loved by this author/photographer, are, as always, beautifully composed, sharp and well framed (see: The Monuments of Ancient Egypt by JSD) - and betray an eye that sees beyond the tangible to capture the sublime. Apart from the image that opens his text there is not the merest glimpse of a human being in the shots, yet his photos are never lacking in humanity.
I would highly recommend this well-researched and fascinating book, as much for the quality of the photos, as for the history lesson with a refreshing dose of philosophy and introspection. Stafford-Deitsch does a fine job of chronicling the rise and fall of the many civilizations that have peopled Anatolia's mountains, landscapes and shores over the millennia. I shall certainly turn to it for inspiration when I shelve the mortgage and grab the backpack once again!
Ancient Turkey or Ancient Greece or Anciet Asia Minor???
30 May 2012
Format:Hardcover
The town of Gobekli Tepe is the literal translation from the town of Portasar, an ancient Armenian town. If we have to be intellectually honesty in this discourse, at least point out that it should say Ancient Armenia. Please get your facts together.
1 of 7 people found the following review helpful
ANCIENT Turkey?
9 April 2012
Format:Hardcover
A better title of this book would have been Kingdoms of Ruin: The Art and Architectural Splendours of Ancient Greece (or Asia Minor)! There was not an "ancient" Turkey. Turkic people are not indigenous to the Mediterranean, having come from Mongolia. Simply absurd. Winston Churchill wrote that Asia Minor was a "giant Greek graveyard." The Greeks lived there for thousands of years starting in Ancient Greece throughout the Byzantine period and up until the Greek Genocide of the early 20th century when the muslims wipped them out (from 1913-1923; see Wikipedia). I find this book offensive by any objective standard. It's an insult to genuine history and felt very pandering.
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