INTERESTING SUBJECT - CONFUSED WRITING

There IS a kernel of an interesting subject here but the writing jumps around, making the whole book confusing. Grover Gardner is a great asset but not good enough to save this account. Here, again, Audible would benefit listeners by providing us with PDF downloads of accompanying photographs if available in the print version. With a rare account of a magnificent city like Instanbul, I'm sure the author gave the reader a visual glimpse of this colorful locale, along with vintage prints of Constantinople and its transition into Instanbul.

5 persone l'hanno trovata utile

haphazardly told history

this is a perfect example of how to take fascinating history and make it as dull and hard to follow as possible. The narration was abominable. Every Turkish word was mispronounced in the most painful way. I had to use your willpower to finish this book.

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

good book dBm 9 smothers sign up for

I am in the hospital in Poland flat on my back I did not speak Polish I do not understand police TV this is been a wonderful movie for a person in my condition are not moving book and I can recommend it for anyone in a similar circumstance

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

Captivating story of transition to modernity

This is not a history of a hotel, but King very cleverly uses the hotel as a lens through which to study the changes in Istanbul over the first half of the 20th century.

King presents a very thorough analysis, covering the social, political, economic, ethnic, religious and even architectural changes over the period, as well as what has survived all the changes. He neatly places these changes and continuities within the wider contexts of the old Ottoman Empire, Turkey, Europe and Asia. The book is wonderfully researched and written in an easily accessible and convincing narrative.

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

The birth of modern-day Istanbul

This book centers on a great hotel (which still exists to this day) in Istanbul (Constantinople of old). Although it focuses on this hotel throughout the years, it goes off on a number of tangents. The most notable is near the end as it follows the plight of jews during WWII, not sure how that ties in with the hotel but it does center the focus on Istanbul. The narrator is wonderful and this was an enjoyable read about a city I love.

Excellent

This was a surprisingly interesting book. Anyone interested in history will like this book. No agenda, just history. narrator is great.

Probably Better in Hard Copy

I really wish that the narrator had some command of the Turkish language. The many mispronunciations really detracted from the listening experience.

A long read

The performance was great as usual. However, the story rolled on and on using names and places difficult to follow.

A wide-ranging exploration of a fascinating city

This is an incredibly interesting and entertaining book. You can almost listen to it like it were a podcast, as every chapter is standalone..

Outstanding glimse into istanbul n modern turkey

Its the best intro to the city of istanbul, and great for fan of agatha christie