Welcome to Litsy!

Well I managed to get through this book today! A history of istanbul from the first human habitation through after WWI, there was some fascinating stuff here (Justinian rule in particular) yet some things felt glossed over while others took longer. Don't skip the timeline in the back, there's some really wild stuff on there about the various rulers. All in all though, a pick if this city interests you.

Really hard to review such a colossal work as this. Inevitably for something of this length spanning such an expanse of time, this book has high and low points in terms of interest levels. It's incredibly well researched and thorough. I can't help but feel this really needed to be more than a single volume.

Information overload so far. Hoping this settles down a little as this has potential.

Making a start on this as I walk to the office. ☺

A little pre-travel reading.

Listened to this one on Audible, narrated by the author Bettany Hughes, which added to the experience. An excellent overview history of one of my favourite cities, from its days as Byzantium, a Megarean colony, through to its rise to glory as Constantinople the capital of Eastern Roman empire, to its decline and fall to the Turk‘s in 1453 and its rebirth as Ottoman Istanbul. A city with history on every corner, a place to explore for days.

At 800 pages this comprehensive history book may seem daunting, but it reads well &details so many fascinating things that it feels half as long. Hughes delves into the deep, rich history of Istanbul chronologically, mixing culture, religion, &war to create a vivid picture.

I read books like this &realize how ignorant &little I know of the world. Istanbul (nee Constantinople, nee Byzantium) took center stage many times over history.

#history

Also #reading and enjoying

#SplashIntoSummerRead

Today l was off from work early so l went wondering in a bookshop. Here's a #Chunkster l came across.

I haven't read many big books, l'm a bit intimidated by them. And l can't bring them around... l do most of my reading while communting.
How about you. How do you handle these doorstops?

Caught up a friend for lunch, received yet another large non fiction book as a belated birthday present,. Fortunately it is on a place and subject I love. Guess I am somewhat predictable.