- Hardcover: 448 pages
- Publisher: Sceptre; First Edition, First Printing edition (1 May 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0340837861
- ISBN-13: 978-0340837863
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15 x 4.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 447,824 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
'Milton has written a grimly memorable book' (William Dalrymple, Sunday Times )
'A master of historical narrative' (The Sunday Times )
'Milton has a terrific eye for the kind of detail that can bring the past vividly to life off the page . . . restores an exotic lustre' (The Spectator )
'A magnificent piece of popular history' ((On NATHANIEL'S NUTMEG) Independent on Sunday )
'A grippingly told true adventure story' ((On BIG CHIEF ELIZABETH) Daily Mail )
'Milton's story could scarcely be more action-packed, and its setting and subsidiary characters are as fantastic as its events.' ((On WHITE GOLD) The Sunday Times )
Giles Milton's narrative races along as he stitches together a story of heroism, sacrifice and misplaced zeal, painstakingly researched from contemporary writing and records' ((On WHITE GOLD) Observer )
'Giles Milton has a gift for searching out odd and forgotten corners of history and turning them into bestselling books . . . this is not a dry history, but a full-blooded narrative closer in style to a historical novel than to an academic study.' (William Palmer (On WHITE GOLD), Literary Review )
'Giles Milton . . . has crafted an inspiration for those of us who believe that history can be exciting and entertaining' (The Times )
'An extraordinary story which few people will be at all familiar with . . . an exciting and sensational account of a really swash-buckling historical episode' (Philip Hensher (On WHITE GOLD), Spectator )
'Milton is a great storyteller . . . he conjures mood from dry parchment' (Express on Sunday )
'A master of historical narrative' (The Sunday Times )
'Milton has a terrific eye for the kind of detail that can bring the past vividly to life off the page . . . restores an exotic lustre' (The Spectator )
'A magnificent piece of popular history' ((On NATHANIEL'S NUTMEG) Independent on Sunday )
'A grippingly told true adventure story' ((On BIG CHIEF ELIZABETH) Daily Mail )
'Milton's story could scarcely be more action-packed, and its setting and subsidiary characters are as fantastic as its events.' ((On WHITE GOLD) The Sunday Times )
Giles Milton's narrative races along as he stitches together a story of heroism, sacrifice and misplaced zeal, painstakingly researched from contemporary writing and records' ((On WHITE GOLD) Observer )
'Giles Milton has a gift for searching out odd and forgotten corners of history and turning them into bestselling books . . . this is not a dry history, but a full-blooded narrative closer in style to a historical novel than to an academic study.' (William Palmer (On WHITE GOLD), Literary Review )
'Giles Milton . . . has crafted an inspiration for those of us who believe that history can be exciting and entertaining' (The Times )
'An extraordinary story which few people will be at all familiar with . . . an exciting and sensational account of a really swash-buckling historical episode' (Philip Hensher (On WHITE GOLD), Spectator )
'Milton is a great storyteller . . . he conjures mood from dry parchment' (Express on Sunday )
Review
'Milton has written a grimly memorable book' -- William Dalrymple, Sunday Times 'A master of historical narrative' -- The Sunday Times 'Milton has a terrific eye for the kind of detail that can bring the past vividly to life off the page ... restores an exotic lustre' -- The Spectator 'A magnificent piece of popular history' -- (On NATHANIEL'S NUTMEG) Independent on Sunday 'A grippingly told true adventure story' -- (On BIG CHIEF ELIZABETH) Daily Mail 'Milton's story could scarcely be more action-packed, and its setting and subsidiary characters are as fantastic as its events.' -- (On WHITE GOLD) The Sunday Times 20040704 Giles Milton's narrative races along as he stitches together a story of heroism, sacrifice and misplaced zeal, painstakingly researched from contemporary writing and records' -- (On WHITE GOLD) Observer 20040704 'Giles Milton has a gift for searching out odd and forgotten corners of history and turning them into bestselling books ... this is not a dry history, but a full-blooded narrative closer in style to a historical novel than to an academic study.' -- William Palmer (On WHITE GOLD), Literary Review 20040704 'Giles Milton ... has crafted an inspiration for those of us who believe that history can be exciting and entertaining' -- The Times 20040704 'An extraordinary story which few people will be at all familiar with ... an exciting and sensational account of a really swash-buckling historical episode' -- Philip Hensher (On WHITE GOLD), Spectator 20040704 'Milton is a great storyteller ... he conjures mood from dry parchment' -- Express on Sunday 20040704
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have in my family both Greeks and Turks and asking either group about what happened to the Ottoman Empire after World War 1 is like getting 2 completely different stories.
Giles Milton does a fabulous job of taking this still very raw piece of history and being impartial and fascinating about the whole topic. The opening 40 pages are really scene setting; we get sumptuous parties, booming trade and philanthropy between all the ethnic groups of Smyrna at the turn of the 20th century. The only bias Giles has is he obviously believes this is the way things should have been left- a point I can't really argue with when you see what happened next. The opening is important because this book is not just a catalogue of war crimes. It is a wonderfully evocative opening of a time and place lost to history; you can almost smell the spices and taste the figs.
However World War 1 arrives and the aftermath is a very nasty hopelessly pointless war between Greece wanting to return to the glory days of the Byzantine Empire, backed by Allies wistfully flicking through their Herodotus. Against Mustafa Kemal and his new nationalist movement that was to found the modern Republic of Turkey. The West's completely outmoded concept of the area is not the way to make modern foreign policy but of course all you have to do is look around the world today to see people are still making the same mistakes in other areas of the world.
And so it ends in tears. There are many very sensitive issues covered here, the Armenians and their fate at the hands of the Ottoman regime- considered genocide by some and hotly denied by the Turkish government to this day. There are the hanging of civilians, murder, ethnic cleansing, looting and robbery carried out by all sides with Britain watching on and hanging its head in shame.
If you can read this in a neutral way it is a fascinating insight into crazy ideas trying to be implemented on the ground and causing effects never anticipated. However for the Greeks and Turks in my family I quite frankly dare not show it to them, it would cause too much anger and cries of "Bias!" but of course a book that is considered biased by both sides is undoubtedly true. This is a fabulously well written, thoroughly researched account of an event that is more important than you first think.
If you liked this there's more historical debate and fun at @HistoryGems on Facebook and Twitter
Giles Milton does a fabulous job of taking this still very raw piece of history and being impartial and fascinating about the whole topic. The opening 40 pages are really scene setting; we get sumptuous parties, booming trade and philanthropy between all the ethnic groups of Smyrna at the turn of the 20th century. The only bias Giles has is he obviously believes this is the way things should have been left- a point I can't really argue with when you see what happened next. The opening is important because this book is not just a catalogue of war crimes. It is a wonderfully evocative opening of a time and place lost to history; you can almost smell the spices and taste the figs.
However World War 1 arrives and the aftermath is a very nasty hopelessly pointless war between Greece wanting to return to the glory days of the Byzantine Empire, backed by Allies wistfully flicking through their Herodotus. Against Mustafa Kemal and his new nationalist movement that was to found the modern Republic of Turkey. The West's completely outmoded concept of the area is not the way to make modern foreign policy but of course all you have to do is look around the world today to see people are still making the same mistakes in other areas of the world.
And so it ends in tears. There are many very sensitive issues covered here, the Armenians and their fate at the hands of the Ottoman regime- considered genocide by some and hotly denied by the Turkish government to this day. There are the hanging of civilians, murder, ethnic cleansing, looting and robbery carried out by all sides with Britain watching on and hanging its head in shame.
If you can read this in a neutral way it is a fascinating insight into crazy ideas trying to be implemented on the ground and causing effects never anticipated. However for the Greeks and Turks in my family I quite frankly dare not show it to them, it would cause too much anger and cries of "Bias!" but of course a book that is considered biased by both sides is undoubtedly true. This is a fabulously well written, thoroughly researched account of an event that is more important than you first think.
If you liked this there's more historical debate and fun at @HistoryGems on Facebook and Twitter
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Milton is the author of several engaging histories covering periods as diverse as the Crusades to the Age of Exploration. Ive read most of his other books and found them to be lively and engaging. Milton's style brings his diverse characters to life and his extensive use of personal accounts ensures his stories have the human element that is so often missing from history books. Paradise Lost is no different. Milton has interviewed people who were atcually present at the events he writes about. This gives his narrative a very personal feel.
Even though we know what will happen in the end, Milton manages to build suspense and kept me turning the pages. It is a tragic and heroic story about a part of the world that, I confess, I know only a little. I couldnt help but draw parallels between what happend in Smyrna in 1922 and the more recent human tradgedies in Rwanda, Bosnia and so on. It seems the international community still has a lesson to learn. That said, its not all tradegy, there are some great stories of herosim in there too.
This is not just a book for history buffs. Its for anyone who enjoys a human story, well told. I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in the period and the area. Its definetly going on my Christmas list for my dad and brother in law!
Even though we know what will happen in the end, Milton manages to build suspense and kept me turning the pages. It is a tragic and heroic story about a part of the world that, I confess, I know only a little. I couldnt help but draw parallels between what happend in Smyrna in 1922 and the more recent human tradgedies in Rwanda, Bosnia and so on. It seems the international community still has a lesson to learn. That said, its not all tradegy, there are some great stories of herosim in there too.
This is not just a book for history buffs. Its for anyone who enjoys a human story, well told. I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in the period and the area. Its definetly going on my Christmas list for my dad and brother in law!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book represents a bit of a change in direction for this author's histories. His other books have been biographies, too, of plucky Brits who are usually in foreign climes making a nuisance of themselves and getting away with it. This is the story of an EVENT. Further, it doesn't directly involve Britain or Brits other than tangentially in the form of Britain's meddlesome imperial ambitions and some princely 'Brits' who, actually, are third- or fourth-generation, the "Levantines".
The book is split into three parts: (1) Paradise, (2) Serpents in Paradise and (3) Paradise Lost. Part one sets the scene, part two goes into the background of the troubles that would later arise, and part three is the great event itself. I thought part one was a little boring -- Westerners lording it over and patronising the natives -- standard fare for these types of books, part two was a little disjointed and strangely unfulfilling and part three was gripping, really excellent. To elaborate on my verdict on part two, there is a missing year between the end of part two and the beginning of part three! We go from September 1921 to September 1922 in a blink! The Greeks are being defeated in Anatolia one minute and the next they're embarking on ships at Smyrna quay! If you are going to tell a story at all, then at least finish it more artfully than an abrupt severance.
Another slight problem I found with this book is that in the first two parts (where the background is explained and the scene is set) Milton concentrates far too much on the rich merchant families in their large Palladian villas. Other than a couple of exceptions (which prove the rule) his researches didn't manage to uncover any stories from an average Greek, Turk, Jew or Armenian (the Jews are hardly mentioned). I think their views would have been fascinating and enlightening. They would have offered a different perspective on the events that unfolded. But I can understand why the author quoted the Levantines the most. Their riches-to-rags tale was a sensational journey full of pathos, material loss and an overnight demotion in status.
I have to say that part three is just gripping. I think I've said that before, but it's worth saying again because it's so impossible to put the book down! I had never heard about this catastrophe before reading this book. I don't think I'd ever noticed Izmir (formerly Smyrna) on the map before. But Milton has made me interested in Turkish, Greek and Armenian history. He tells the story with great empathy and humanity. I also liked the ending very much. I really didn't see it coming as I fully expected that after all this time not a single building would be left standing let alone be inhabited by a direct descendent of one of those caught up in the great tragedy.
Giles Milton really is a fine writer and I look forward to reading his next book. Only docked a star because the first two parts were interesting but a little extraneous in places. I hate to admit it, but the build up was a little boring. But finally I've read Milton's Paradise Lost!
The book is split into three parts: (1) Paradise, (2) Serpents in Paradise and (3) Paradise Lost. Part one sets the scene, part two goes into the background of the troubles that would later arise, and part three is the great event itself. I thought part one was a little boring -- Westerners lording it over and patronising the natives -- standard fare for these types of books, part two was a little disjointed and strangely unfulfilling and part three was gripping, really excellent. To elaborate on my verdict on part two, there is a missing year between the end of part two and the beginning of part three! We go from September 1921 to September 1922 in a blink! The Greeks are being defeated in Anatolia one minute and the next they're embarking on ships at Smyrna quay! If you are going to tell a story at all, then at least finish it more artfully than an abrupt severance.
Another slight problem I found with this book is that in the first two parts (where the background is explained and the scene is set) Milton concentrates far too much on the rich merchant families in their large Palladian villas. Other than a couple of exceptions (which prove the rule) his researches didn't manage to uncover any stories from an average Greek, Turk, Jew or Armenian (the Jews are hardly mentioned). I think their views would have been fascinating and enlightening. They would have offered a different perspective on the events that unfolded. But I can understand why the author quoted the Levantines the most. Their riches-to-rags tale was a sensational journey full of pathos, material loss and an overnight demotion in status.
I have to say that part three is just gripping. I think I've said that before, but it's worth saying again because it's so impossible to put the book down! I had never heard about this catastrophe before reading this book. I don't think I'd ever noticed Izmir (formerly Smyrna) on the map before. But Milton has made me interested in Turkish, Greek and Armenian history. He tells the story with great empathy and humanity. I also liked the ending very much. I really didn't see it coming as I fully expected that after all this time not a single building would be left standing let alone be inhabited by a direct descendent of one of those caught up in the great tragedy.
Giles Milton really is a fine writer and I look forward to reading his next book. Only docked a star because the first two parts were interesting but a little extraneous in places. I hate to admit it, but the build up was a little boring. But finally I've read Milton's Paradise Lost!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Smyrna...never again
A fascinating eye-opener at the history, peoples and events that led to the Smyrna catastrophy.
An exccedingly interesting and impartial tale of what may well have been... Read more
An exccedingly interesting and impartial tale of what may well have been... Read more
Published on 1 July 2009 by G. P. Nicolaidis
Excellent account of a terrible tragedy
Milton has written an authoritative account of the destruction of one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities. Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2009 by Bibliophile
'Wars when fought by great nations are often very dangerous for the...
Giles Milton's sentence in page 180 of this book in fact is the root of the Smyrna tragedy. Book clearly summarizes the behind the scenes war taking place between the victors of... Read more
Published on 13 Sep 2008 by Basar Eryoner
Good History and an Excellent Read
Giles Milton has pulled off a difficult task which is to make a book gripping when most readers will already be familiar with the story. Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2008 by Dr. R. Brandon
The Real Modern History
This book fills in the gaps erased by western governments. Having grown up in Australia and being fed western styled history I now try to educate myself on what was not taught. Read more
Published on 16 July 2008 by Dean
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