Product Description

Istanbul, capital of two great empires, confluence of Asia and Europe, has called forth poetry throughout her long history, from paupers and sultans, natives and visitors alike. When Mehmed the Conqueror first wandered through the ruins of the Byzantine palace, it was with the words of the Persian poet Ferdowsi on his lips: "The spider spins his web in the Palace of the Caesars/An owl hoots in the towers of Afrasiyab". Since then the silhouette of thousand-year-old domes and tapering minarets, the sunsets reflected nightly in a thousand palace windows and the bustle of her markets have inspired Sultan Suleyman, W B Yeats and Nazim Hikmet, amongst others, to salute one of the world's most remarkable cities.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #309738 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 159 pages

Customer Reviews

The perfect Istanbul companion
Having only heard about this book last week while back at home in London, i discovered it in the English language bookshop in the centre of Istanbul - and I have to say that it is TRUE GOLD!
- the concept of these books is ingenious - of course Eland Books are the travellers' companions of choice - but why hasn't everyone done this sort of thing?! These books in the Poetry of Place series do far more for an understanding of a place than any rough guide will ever achieve.
- it has the perfect dimensions - fitting into more or less any coat pocket. So i was able to take it out and read while walking around the very places it described.
- it does what every anthology should do: it includes a wide diversity of material, while wearing its useful learning and insights lightly. Each poem (and occasional snippet of prose) is glossed and placed in context. The topics and chronological range - from the era of Greek myths to the present day, via the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.
- and best of all, just reading a page transports one immediately to the wonders of the Hagia Sophia and Bosphorus.
So all in all - a joy - whether one has been to Istanbul or not. But the sheer pleasure of dipping into this book while being ferried in a sea-bus across the Bosphorus will stay in mind for years to come!