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Istanbul: The Imperial City (Paperback)

by John Freely (Author)

4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

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Istanbul: Memories of a City by Orhan Pamuk
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Istanbul (Lonely Planet Encounter Guide) by Virginia Maxwell
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Product details

Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Penguin; New Ed edition (26 Feb 1998)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0140244611
ISBN-13: 978-0140244618
Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.7 x 3 cm

Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 86,164 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Popular in these categories:

#16 in	Books > Travel & Holiday > Countries & Regions > Asia > Turkey
#29 in	Books > History > Countries & Regions > Asia > Middle East > Turkey
#82 in	Books > Travel & Holiday > Countries & Regions > Middle East

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Product Description

Istanbul's history is a catalogue of change, not least of name, yet it has managed to retain its own unique identity. John Freely captures the flavour of daily life as well as court ceremonial and intrigue. The book also includes a comprehensive gazetteer of all major monuments and museums. An in-depth study of this legendary city through its many different ages from its earliest foundation to the present day - the perfect traveller's companion and guide.

About the Author

John Freely first went to Istanbul in 1960 to teach physics at Robert College, now the University of the Bosphorus, to which he returned in 1993. His first book was STROLLING THROUGH ISTANBUL and he has subsequently written more than twenty other travel books including CLASSICAL TURKEY, STROLLING THROUGH ATHENS, and STROLLING THROUGH VENICE.

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	63% buy the item featured on this page: Istanbul: The Imperial City 4.0 out of 5 stars (8) �9.08
	20% buy Istanbul: Memories of a City 4.3 out of 5 stars (13) �5.98
	6% buy The Ottoman Centuries: The Rise and Fall of the Turkish Empire 4.6 out of 5 stars (16) �11.24
	6% buy Istanbul: Explore the city with step-by-step tours (Lonely Planet City Guide) 3.1 out of 5 stars (14) �7.37

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Customer Reviews

8 Reviews

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
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Average Customer Review

4.0 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indespensible for any stay in Istanbul, long or short!, 17 April 2000

By A Customer

This is a delightful combination of history and guide, addressing the history of Byzantium/Constantinople/Istanbul from the earliest Greek settlements to the present day. Mr.Freely provides a short but very readable account of the reigns of every Emperor and Sultan (and regardless of origin or religion the vast majority were a ghastly but entertaining bunch!) and sets them in the context of the growth of the city and of its principle monuments. The book is worth purchasing for the guide section alone, which is at the end, and which provides excellent short descriptions of al the main architectural features and archaeological remains. This reader's only regret is that the book had not yet been published when he spent significant periods in Istanbul, for it is not only unique in concept and format, but also superior to any other book he has encountered as a guide to this wonderful city. It can be thoroughly recommended for anybody making a visit to Istanbul, however short. Readers whose interest is whetted by the chapters on pre-conquest Constantinople will find that John Julius Norwich's splendid three volume-history of Byzantium provides the extra, and fascinating, detail they crave.

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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, 19 Aug 2007

By	Brian G. Muirhead "brian" (Oxfordshire GB) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After the good reviews and recommendations I was disappointed by this book. Of course it is ambitious to chart 27 centuries of the history of one city but the book rather turns into one long chronicle of who succeeds whom as ruler of Byzantium with a lot of irrelevant names and relationships. Better books exist to both describe the architectural splendours of Istanbul and convey a sense of its atmosphere.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Istanbul revealed, 14 Mar 2007

By	Amanda J. Lund-lack "kitaplar severim" (Stowmarket, Suffolk ,UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found this invaluable reading before my first visit to Istanbul. I felt able to connect with the city the moment I arrived. John Freely has a very informative narrative style and the book flows through the very complicated history of the area over the last 2,500 years with great detail but with excellent continuity. His feel for this part of the world and his delight in exploring it's history is obvious in his writing. Am looking forward to reading other books by him.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Think twice before choosing as pre-travel reading
This book is ok. I have read better organised popular history books and there seem to be a lack of them on Istanbul. Read more

Published on 9 Aug 2007 by Zephania Smith

5.0 out of 5 stars An ultra-great history read,
I guess, the best saying about Istanbul is from Petrus Gyllius, -a French humanist and diplomat- who had been to Istanbul during the age of Suleyman the Magnificent. Read more

Published on 20 Aug 2004 by S. YALCINKAYA

5.0 out of 5 stars An ultra-great history read
John Freely is a magnificant author and obviously in love with Istanbul. Actually he is a physic professor. You can follow his precise style in all of his books. Read more

Published on 13 Aug 2004 by S. YALCINKAYA

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a studio prop!
When, in the popular film NOTTING HILL, the bookseller character (Hugh Grant) prominently recommended this book to the famous actress/bookstore customer character (Julia Roberts),... Read more

Published on 6 Aug 2004 by Joseph Haschka

2.0 out of 5 stars Be very careful with this book ....
In theory I should love this book, as I love history, and Istanbul fascinates me, but .... I see this book for sale everywhere and it seems to be well regarded, but ... Read more

Published on 13 Jun 2004

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