Available for the first time since its original publication thirty-seven years ago, this classic guide to Istanbul by Hilary Sumner-Boyd and John Freely is published in a completely revised and updated edition. Taking the reader on foot through Istanbul, the European City of Culture 2010, the authors describe the historic monuments and sites of what was once Constantinople and the capital, in turn, of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, in the context of the great living city. Woven throughout are anecdotes, secret histories, hidden gems, and every major place of interest the traveler will want to see. Practical and informative, readable and vividly described, this is the definitive guide to and story of Istanbul, by those who know it best.
Strolling through Istanbul (Tauris Parke Paperbacks)
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Praise for Strolling Through Istanbul:
"A classic. The best travel guide to Istanbul." --The Times
“A guide book that reads like a novel” – William Buckley, The New York Times
"It is a guide-book that reads more like a literary tale and should do well with its subject city decreed European Capital of Culture this year." --The Bookseller
"Both engaging and scholarly, this is a guide to Istanbul that has yet to be surpassed." --Daily Telegraph/ telegraph.co.uk
About the Author
John Freely is the author of over thirty travel books and guides including Istanbul: The Imperial City. He lives in Istanbul, Turkey.
Hilary Sumner-Boyd (1910-1976) was professor of humanities at Robert-College-Bosphorus University. His magisterial work, The Seven Hills of Constantinople: A Study of the Byzantine and Turkish Monuments of the City, was unpublished at the time of his death in 1977 and is now being prepared for publication by Bosphorus University Press.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
We visited Istanbul for the first time last Summer. Our hotel was located about 3 short blocks from the Blue Mosque, a perfect spot from which to launch a walking adventure. Our journey was enhanced by notes from good friends who had visited the same area 5 or 6 times. Their suggestions brought us to places we would have never found on our own. Strolling Through Istanbul serves the same purpose, only with much more detail and skillfully drawn maps to assist in finding locations in the maze that characterizes the entire City. Finding one unique, out of the way cultural/historic site not frequented by tourist hordes is well worth the price of this exceptional guide book.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This guide is indispensable for anyone who wants to explore the city in depth and get off the normal tourist track. Of course, it still covers (in great detail) all of the must-see sights - Haghia Sophia, the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet (Blue Mosque), Topkap', and so forth. But this book goes far beyond those monuments, to show you exquisite small Ottoman mosques and Byzantine churches, plus the older, picturesque neighborhoods of Istanbul, all in a series of detailed walking tours, with very good maps. We particularly enjoyed following the walking tour of Üsküdar on the Asian side. The only drawback is the book's size; at nearly 500 pages, it is does not slip into a pocket or a purse. And you will need a conventional guidebook for lodgings. restaurants, and transportation, as well as an overall map of the city. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this book.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Robert Cox
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is priceless for historically-minded tourists who want to carry with them a detailed explanation of what they are looking at. It covers all the major sites in old Constantinople, and has information on many other historical sites as well. We carried it on our recent (April 2011) trip, and were well pleased with it. Minor drawbacks include somewhat murky maps -- it's a good idea to get a good map, available from various tourist info kiosks -- and some information that apparently wasn't updated from the first edition. But overall this book made our time in Istanbul much better. However, this book is not a practical book like Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, etc. -- you'll need one of those also to help you figure out how to get around, where to stay, and so on.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Exacting, but drier than dust
Depending on your point of view, Strolling Through Istanbul is either exhaustive or exhausting. With 23 strolls that stretch the breadth of the city, it's certainly thorough, but... Read more
Published 15 days ago by Jennifer Grey
4.0 out of 5 stars
This is a thorough analysis of the old city of Istanbul, with much...
I found this book most useful when read along with a good map and Rick Steves' Istanbul. I used the much earlier edition on a previous trip to Istanbul and found it very... Read more
Published 26 days ago by Terrence Ferguson.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Travel guide to Istanbul
We downloaded it onto the Kimble so as to read it before our first trip and to have it as a pocket-guide. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Kevin J. Kearney
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Pleasure to read and use
5* due to depth of coverage, mention of information that most people do not know, and organization. Appendices are especially useful for me. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Rose Townsend
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rebirth of a classic! Freely is the expert.
I have loved this book in many iterations and used it extensively while I lived in Istanbul in the 1970s and on subsequent trips. It is a delight to find it updated. Read more
Published 6 months ago by M. Hanson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Guida interessante e ben scritta
Guida interessante, ricca di spunti e approfondimenti. Ben scritta, approfondisce la storia della città e la cultura del popolo che la abita. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Fabio Perroni
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review
The book was an excellent companion on my trip to Istanbul, providing in-depth and well-researched historical context to popular and lesser known sites.
Published 13 months ago by Huxley
5.0 out of 5 stars
The most interesting history course you'll ever take on foot
I bought the last edition of this book 15 years ago, when I was an expat teacher living in Istanbul. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Paul Bianchi
1.0 out of 5 stars
inadequate walking companion
disappointing. Not enough art and architecture information, and too much historical detail for the average traveller. Not helpful as a guide. Maps are inadequate and unhelpful. Read more
Published 18 months ago by J. Horwitz
3.0 out of 5 stars
Best for the serious, long staying traveler.
This is packed full of helpful, critical detail on all the sights (and then some) of the Old City. It is also packed full of history, although the organization is understandably by... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Peter A. Butzin
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