About book Strolling Through Istanbul: The Classic Guide To The City (2010)
If you are coming to Istanbul and have an interest in history and architecture, you can't do any better than to bring along this book. But don't get me wrong, this isn't a Lonely Planet guide: it won't tell you where the cheapest hotels are; it won't tell you where to eat the best döner; nor will it tell you that the Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays (which it is, btw) - but it will give you an idea of Istanbul as a whole city, a place connected not only by roads but by the people who came and went, and maybe even looked from the very same spots you will go to, to marvel at the "Cit of the World's Desire." I'd also venture to say that those who are interested in Istanbul's architecture might like to read this book even without visiting the city.Its format is also not one for a rushed tourist, who will hit only a few important locations then head on to the next city. "Strolling Through Istanbul" has a self-descriptive title: Freely and Sumner-Boyd take you on a series of strolls through the city, where you are privy to all the information that's in their (incredibly informed) heads. They act like tour guides in book form (and this is also good because you can skip ahead when necessary, too). Just be sure to get the updated version (2010, this cover) because a lot has changed since they first published the book in the 70s. The only thing that may hold someone back from loving this book is that they authors take for granted that you know (or will learn) the technical terms related to classical architecture, such as where the pendentives are in a domed church, what an ogival arch is, or what part of a column is called the capital. If these words are unfamiliar, one should browse through the first chapter or so and make a vocabulary list (like I had to do). To be clear, though, I'm not saying that this detracts from the book: I'd prefer this to having them simplify and dumb-down things, because these words exist for a reason. I'm in favor of keeping this kind of richness in a language - and besides, if I can learn the words, then anyone can. But still, this book will probably be too much for some people - but for those who do read it, it will be rewarding.I also had the good fortune to hear John Freely speak at the Istanbul Book Fair last year, and he's really an amazing guy. He's written over 40 books (yes, forty), most of which are about Greece or Turkey, both of which are places where he's lived and calls home. Moreover he truly loves Istanbul, and it's evident in the care he takes in writing this guide. He also seems to be somewhat of a modern-day Renaissance man: he was a physics professor at Bogazici (Bosphorus) University for a good number of years, and can still be seen around the campus now and then. All in all, I totally wish he were my friend. All in all (for real this time), "Strolling Through Istanbul" does what a good guidebook should do: it illuminates Istanbul, and brings a richness to one's travels that perhaps one wouldn't have gotten otherwise.
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