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Rating: 
Summary: A supurb introduction to an intriguing city
Review: "Istanbul" is a wonderful introduction to a fabulous city. An easy read, it follows the trajectory of the city's fabled history in a smooth chronological rhythm with each period captured in quickie chapters of fifteen pages. It works as an introductory history with 300 pages of chronology, and it works as a travel guide with 60 cross-referenced pages on monuments and museums. A great primer for anyone planning a trip to the city and interested in its history, presented in a readable format somewhere between quick overview and master's degree. The city maps in the early pages are excellently designed, and frequent illustrations are used to good effect. Nevertheless, while the brevity of the chronology makes it an easy read, it also precludes the development of any real historical themes. There is no deep thought here, no new views or insightful analysis, and after several dozen emperors and sultans emerge and die in repetitive procession, they begin to blur a bit one into the next. While the birth and paroxysms of the Ottoman Empire are well-presented from Istanbul's perspective, this reader could have used a few maps of southeast Europe and the Levant to better understand the empire's development. At the same time, events in Istanbul are not presented in the context of contemporary European events. While this certainly helps to keep the chapters quick and readable, it also ignores the huge impact of European events on Istanbul: the Great Schism and massive changes in Rome, conflicts with Austro-Hungary, the crusades, etc. are simply not presented even to frame events in Istanbul. The history and research are excellent (with one tiny quibble: the battle of Kosovo Polje occurred on June 28, not June 15) but broad rather than deep. Freely is clearly at home in the city and with the source material. A great travel guide and quickie history, readable and accessible.
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Summary: An ultra-great history read
Review: 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. Gyllius called the Bosphorus "the strait that surpasses all straits, because with one key it opens and closes two worlds, two seas".
This book starts with this comment and goes on emphasising the true beauty of the city.
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. The very fascinating film "Notting Hill" from Julia Roberst and Hugh Grant made this book popular all around the world. The travelbooks-shop owner Hugh Grant recommends this book to Julia Roberts just in the beginning of the film and emphasizes its high quality.
It goes without saying that Istanbul is a well written and well illustrated book. If you have been to Istanbul before, it will remarkably reinforce your memories. If you are a real fan of history and architecture and adore intellectually written books, dont skip this one. Really breathtaking! It will take you to a whimsical yet magnificent city and its history; particulary Byzantine era. The detailed information about Istanbul's monuments, Theodosian walls (built by Theodosius II in the first half of fifth century, AD, which are still magnificent even in their ruins, the long line of towers and battlements one of the enduring symbols of Byzantium), churches, obelisks, mosques, geography and historical events which were successfully chronicled will definetly help you to understand both its glory and history. Whilst reading this book, you will see the talisman and smell judas trees, terebinths,cypress, plane trees and umbrella pines. The part of history is excellent. You will learn that once upon a time the city had been only a hamlet and had remained a free city up until the last years of the second century. In addition to that, Freely reminds us of its entire given name that is NOVA ROMA CONSTANTINOPOLITANA; New Rome, the city of Constantine. Within the centuries, the name had got shortened and had become today's version. Amazing, isn't it?
I must say that if you are interested in these type of books, it worths it, if not you may get a little bit bored. So consider your preferences and then order this one.
Also recommended; anything by John Freely, Atatürk by Andrew Mango and if you like literature and fiction My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk.
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Summary: Great book
Review: I read this book last summer before a trip to visit friends in Istanbul. I found the book to be a well-written and entertaining narrative on this fascinating city. While at the Iskele restaurant in Istanbul, one of my dining companions mentioned that he knew an American expert on Istanbul and that he was sitting two tables behind me. I asked him who it was, and he replied "John Freely." My friend took me over to introduce me to Mr. Freely, and I got a picture with him.
Rating: 
Summary: Not what I was expecting....
Review: I'm about 150 pages into this book. If you're interested in geneology - who gave birth to who - this is the book for you. The book briefly mentions the Hagia Sophia - it briefly mentions what lead to the schism between the Greek and Roman Churches but continues to onslaut the reader with geneology - which has become a bit boring. No doubt the author has done his research - but I was hoping to get a better idea of what Istanbul was like - the arts, the food, the architecture. There is an index of monuments at the end of the book. I'll continue to slog away and let you know....
Rating:
Summary: Not what I was expecting....
Review: I'm about 150 pages into this book. If you're interested in geneology - who gave birth to who - this is the book for you. The book briefly mentions the Hagia Sophia - it briefly mentions what lead to the schism between the Greek and Roman Churches but continues to onslaut the reader with geneology - which has become a bit boring. No doubt the author has done his research - but I was hoping to get a better idea of what Istanbul was like - the arts, the food, the architecture. There is an index of monuments at the end of the book. I'll continue to slog away and let you know....
Rating:
Summary: The Imperial City ..... Short-Changed
Review: Initially unimpressed by the first chapter of the book, in which Freely provides a cursory summation of Byzantium's early history, I was amazed to find on page 13, the first of Chapter 2, that he mistakenly identified Mesembria (modern day Nesebar)as the Greek colony closest to the Bosphorus. It was in fact, and still is, Apollonia Pontika (modern day Sozopol), which was one of the earliest Greek foundations (late 7th century B.C.). The rest of the book is an assemblage of information, much of which will not be particulary useful to a visitor. The book's saving grace is an excellent bibliography for the reader to explore. For tourists, the "DK Eyewitness Travel Guide - Istanbul" is a far better companion; easier to carry, containing excellent color photographs and diagrams,and full of historical information.
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Summary: Full of facts, but dull
Review: This book does have a lot of information about Istanbul, but it's the kind of book that someone would finish only if he or she were living in Istanbul or going there on an extended visit. The book isn't really entertaining in itself, but there are lots of facts and dry anecdotes about the city's history. A better, more interesting, book on historical Istanbul is Constantinople : City of the World's Desire 1453-1924 by Philip Mansel. As for Freely on contemporary Istanbul, he is never able to give the reader a feeling for what it's like to spend time with the people who live in Istanbul, like Max Rodenbeck is able to do in his book about another city, Cairo: The City Victorious. There must be better books about Istanbul out there.
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Summary: great book
Review: This is a great historical overview of Istambul. It helps to read it before visiting the monuments. One can ask more informed questions, understand the monuments better, etc.
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Summary: Great Read
Review: This is one of the few books that both covers the complete history of Constantinople/Byzantium/Istanbul and at the same time serves as an excellent travel guide. The list and description of Istanbul's monuments and churches helped me immensly as I visited the city last month. The book does not go into enough depth on any of the historical subjects but is a great overview of the city's history.
Rating:
Summary: Bring this book to Istanbul with you!
Review: This is one of the few books that both covers the complete history of Constantinople/Byzantium/Istanbul and at the same time serves as an excellent travel guide. The list and description of Istanbul's monuments and churches helped me immensly as I visited the city last month. The book does not go into enough depth on any of the historical subjects but is a great overview of the city's history.
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