This classic guide to Istanbul by Hilary Sumner-Boyd and John Freely is here, for the first time since its original publication thirty-seven years ago, published in a completely revised and updated new edition. Taking the reader on foot through this captivating city - European City of Culture 2010 - the authors describe the historic monuments and sites of what was once Constantinople and the capital in turn of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, in the context of the great living city. Woven throughout are vivid anecdotes, secret histories, hidden gems and every major place of interest the traveler will want to see. Practical and informative, readable and vividly described, this is the definitive guide to and story of Istanbul, by those who know it best.
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'the best travel guide to Istanbul' --The Times
'a guide book that reads like a novel' --New York Times
'a guide book that reads like a novel' --New York Times
About the Author
The late Hilary Summer-Boyd was professor of humanities at Robert-College-Bosphorus University. His magisterial work, The Seven Hills of Constantinople: A Study of the Byzantine and Turkish Monuments of the City, was unpublished at the time of his death in 1977 and is now being prepared for publication by Bosphorus University Press. John Freely was born in New York and joined the US Navy at the age of seventeen for the last two years of World War II. He has lived in New York, Boston, London, Athens and Istanbul and has written over forty travel books and guides, most of them about Greece and Turkey. He is author of The Grand Turk, Storm on Horseback, The Cyclades, The lonian Islands (all I.B.Tauris), Crete, The Western Shores of Turkey, Strolling through Athens and Strolling through Venice (all Tauris Parke Paperbacks). He is currently professor of physics at Bosphorus University in Istanbul.
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39 of 39 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The superlative guide for anyone genuinely interested in exploring Istanbul's history
12 July 2010
By Jeremy
Format:Paperback
There are guidebooks, then there are guidebooks. If you need a general introduction to the incomparable city of Istanbul, giving you an overview of its many and varied attractions, and perhaps helping you choose a hotel or a restaurant or nightclub too, there are several acceptable guides available - the Rough Guide is a fair bet, notwithstanding its inaccuracies.
If, however, you are serious about getting away from the tourist drag and untangling Istanbul's many layers of history, truly getting to know the "real" place and how it has come to be what is today, then this is a book for you. Each of the 23 chapters takes you on foot along a suggested route through the streets and lanes of the Queen of Cities, enabling you to become acquainted with it in a way no other book I'm aware of makes possible. The authors are exceptionally well-informed, and prove themselves able to share their expertise in an intelligent and very readable way, devoting ample space to the countless sites of interest to the visitor without ever becoming tedious. If your particular interest is Byzantine history, or perhaps the Ottoman period, you can easily select which sites to visit - the book makes possible a pick 'n' mix approach to help you. Relevant input from historical and architectural viewpoints enables you to look at familiar locations through new eyes, and even to learn of the existence of sites you never knew existed.
The walks are of varied length, but none of them need take a full day. Plans of key buildings are detailed and appropriate to the text, and route maps are user-friendly minimising the chances of getting lost even in more remote residential areas. The 2009/2010 edition is bang up to date.
Absorb what this book has to offer before your visit, and it will genuinely enhance your experience - and thereby your memories - of Istanbul, a city like no other on earth. "Strolling Through Istanbul" has made available material previously available only in the old Blue Guide, until recently out of print for some years.
If, however, you are serious about getting away from the tourist drag and untangling Istanbul's many layers of history, truly getting to know the "real" place and how it has come to be what is today, then this is a book for you. Each of the 23 chapters takes you on foot along a suggested route through the streets and lanes of the Queen of Cities, enabling you to become acquainted with it in a way no other book I'm aware of makes possible. The authors are exceptionally well-informed, and prove themselves able to share their expertise in an intelligent and very readable way, devoting ample space to the countless sites of interest to the visitor without ever becoming tedious. If your particular interest is Byzantine history, or perhaps the Ottoman period, you can easily select which sites to visit - the book makes possible a pick 'n' mix approach to help you. Relevant input from historical and architectural viewpoints enables you to look at familiar locations through new eyes, and even to learn of the existence of sites you never knew existed.
The walks are of varied length, but none of them need take a full day. Plans of key buildings are detailed and appropriate to the text, and route maps are user-friendly minimising the chances of getting lost even in more remote residential areas. The 2009/2010 edition is bang up to date.
Absorb what this book has to offer before your visit, and it will genuinely enhance your experience - and thereby your memories - of Istanbul, a city like no other on earth. "Strolling Through Istanbul" has made available material previously available only in the old Blue Guide, until recently out of print for some years.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By JJ Merelo
Format:Paperback
I landed a few hours ago from my trip to Istanbul, where this book hasn't left my bag except to be eagerly read. This is not a classical, full of pictures, timetables, tips and tricks, and restaurant list guide. It's a guide that provides itineraries through Istanbul, describing in full historical and artistical detail what you find along the way. Includes more information and more places than any other guide, and it's very useful for reading while visiting; stop for a while, find the place in the index in the back, and read aloud for the benefit of your group, and to illustrate everybody. You'll be fascinated with the history, art and technique of Sinan, know about the descriptions of Evliya Çelebi and be able to spot Iznik tiles on sight. Granted. It's even more useful if you read, before going, Istanbul: The Imperial City by one of the authors, but, in any case, it stands by itself.
The only problem I find with this is that you'll have to complement it with, at least, a map (which you can ask in any of the Tourist Information booths, or at the hotel) and maybe some information on opening and closing times; some kind of prioritization would have also been a good idea, but, in any case, it's an excellent book to carry when you're in Istanbul, probably the best.
The only problem I find with this is that you'll have to complement it with, at least, a map (which you can ask in any of the Tourist Information booths, or at the hotel) and maybe some information on opening and closing times; some kind of prioritization would have also been a good idea, but, in any case, it's an excellent book to carry when you're in Istanbul, probably the best.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By D. Baldry
Format:Paperback
'Strolling through Istanbul' is a full and authoritative architectural guide. We shall use it on our future visit to the city. Meanwhile, we would warn that, while there are local maps in the various chapters, the visitor will also need a good map of the old city in order to find the way to each quarter that Freely describes. The book is not for the casual visitor, and everyone will also need a general guidebook (e g the Rough Guide to Istanbul).
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
a little heavy going for the average tourist
but perfect for an in depth traveller with a real interest in every aspect of Istanbul. unfortunately for a quick City Break guide it was just too detailed and it was easy to get... Read more
Published 6 days ago by Xenia Irwin
5.0 out of 5 stars
The very best guide for Istanbul
Full of passion and in-depth analysis. it helps the reader understand the ottoman world and the everyday life in Istanbul as it was in the past. Read more
Published 2 months ago by theo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb Guide to Istanbul
One of the best guides I've found on the history and architecture of Istanbul. This is not a general guide, so you will need to complement it with a Lonely Planet, Rough guide or... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Science and Logic
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE BEST GUIDE
THIS IS THE BEST GUIDE BOOK EVER PUBLISHED FOR ISTANBUL. IT CONTAINS EVERY ASPECT OF INFORMATION.
A MUST FOR EVERY VISITOR OF ISTANBUL.
Marina Papadopoulou
A MUST FOR EVERY VISITOR OF ISTANBUL.
Marina Papadopoulou
Published on 1 May 2011 by A. Bank
5.0 out of 5 stars
holiday extra
If you want to get more out of your sightseeing trip to Istanbul then this is the book for you. A bit heavy to carry around all day but as areas are clearly and sensiblely divided... Read more
Published on 1 Sep 2010 by Ros
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