The Fall of Constantinople

Eastern Mediterranean Trilogy #1

by Nanami Shiono, Kerim Yasar (Translator)

The Roman Empire did not meet its end when barbarians sacked the City of Seven Hills, but rather a thousand years later with the fall of Constantinople, capital of the surviving Eastern Empire. The Ottoman Turks who conquered the city aslo known to us as Byzantium would force a tense centruy of conflict in the Mediterranean culminating in the famous Battle of Lepanto. The first book in a triptych depicting this monumental confrontation between a Muslim empire and Christendom, The Fall of Constantinople brilliantly captures a defning moment in the two creeds' history too often eclipsed by the Crusades.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

236 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

See also 塩野 七生.

Reviews

[akchaism · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book wasn't a fully fictional nor a historically informative one. The problem is, it didn't feel satisfying in both ways. I couldn't relate to characters, nor learn their backstory in depth. Besides, it was more focused on the Byzantine side of the events. The characters we were introduced to were mostly Europeans. On the other hand, there were very little about Ottomans and it was mostly focused on Mehmed the Second, which i have no problem with, but we couldn't learn about the pashas or scholars in the Ottoman divan. Book made me learn more about and sympathise with Western side more, which felt biased. The Byzantine side was portrayed to be full of saintly good people, while Ottoman side was full of aggressors. Nonetheless, I'm not regretting reading this book, but i don't think I'll ever read it again.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great historical work, told in a narrative style, that really gave you a feel for the time period. Although it is told in a narrative, it is still a book of history. If you were exposed to history through the stories of your elders you may like the style of this book. However, there are no citations so you can't be certain what is historical fact and what is embellished for the narrative.
If you have been wanting to learn more about this area of the world during this time period, this is an great book to introduce you to it.

[Luc · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded down.

It's an enjoyable read, and very friendly for people to familiarize themselves with the basic facts of this period(timeline, major players, events, etc).

However, in compiling different accounts into one coherent narrative, the author must have made selections of facts as well as the level of detail, and added in some imagination for spice. I can't blame the effort to increase readability, but it did create difficulties if you want to get the historical facts straight, especially since the version I read didn't provide any citations.

Also, not this book's fault, but I happened to have read 1453 (Crowley) and The Immortal Emperor (Nicol) first. As such, the usage of the same historical sources provided only limited new information - among them the Serbian account.

The last thing the book didn't emphasize but is worth noting is bias. Most direct sources of the fall of Constantinople were from the Christian world, and the author seems to have taken the side of the conquered as well.

[Kamilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a nearly novice in the history of this era, I found this book to be a really approachable and exciting way to read about the fall of Constantinople.

I had initially rated it 3 stars as I was rating it as if it were a fiction book - which is a testament to the writing and story itself! However, then I remembered these were based on real accounts from real people in history. Moreover, the fact that the author made me actually enjoy reading about history (something that i have wanted to do for so long) made me change my rating to 4 stars.

I really recommend this book for anyone interested in exploring this topic and time period. I think its a great way to get your foot in the door!

[Kamran Sehgal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A narrative journey through the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire. Saw this book in the Museum of Innocence store which is always worth a visit in May 2023 for 400 TL.
A significant event in the history of both Greeks and Turks. There is a reason you see the year 1453 everywhere in this city. I felt while reading this a genuine dread for the characters facing the inevitable end to their country and way of life and indeed the language and translation help this point thoroughly.
Many have pointed out that the portrayal of the Turkish side is somewhat off-putting as they are stereotypically "the bad guys" and are not given much depth. Mehmed the Conqueror has about as much depth as a Disney villain a la Mufasa.
I also felt wanted more from the character Mihajlovic and the Serbians drafted into the Ottoman army was underrepresented as they would have had a unique vantage point.
I appreciated the historical biographies of the characters in the Epilogue.

[OldFisben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Четвертая или уже даже пятая прочитанная книга о падении Константинополя. На этот раз от японской исторички Средиземноморья Нанами Шионо. В целом, вышло слабовато. Малый объем, и как следствие мизер новых деталей и собственных изысканий. Небезынтересная идея показать события POV персонажей с разных сторон (рекрутированные османами сербы, советник императора, венецианский лекарь, паж султана, генуэзский торгаш и др.) загублена невнятным исполнением, а также поверхностным и, на мой вкус, исключительно женским [мело]драматизмом. Честно говоря, если брать в расчет исключительно научпоп, то ничего лучше Роджера Краули по теме пока не написано. Вот уж где драма и эпик слились в фантастическое и душераздирающее полотно. Здесь этим, увы, и не пахнет.

[Leslie Yong · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting written account of the fall of Constantinople. A very significant event of the last strongholds of the Byzantine Empire, that with the Fall, it totally wiped off the last traces of Byzantine history.

[S.Q. Eries · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s OK as a piece of narrative fiction, but it jumps around from way too many viewpoints.

[Christian J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this work. It flowed wonderfully, and the descriptions allowed the reader to be present during cataclysmic events!

[Abraham Gustavson · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Spoilers...but historical ones] "Isn't there a single Christian here who will kindly plunge a sword into my heart?" rang out the last Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI as he plunged into a wave on oncoming Turkish soldiers. Moments such as this come to life on the pages of Nanami Shiono's The Fall of Constantinople. I have always been interested in this historical event and picked up this book to read more about it. Within a day or two I had finished it. It is fast-paced and brings the historical participants to life. I also learned a great deal about the Ottoman worldview, the relationship between the Venetians and Genoans, as well as the waning days of the Byzantine world. Historical subjects which are not always popular focal points. I would guess (without doing research) that this battle inspired Tolkein's battle for Minas Tirith in ROTK. Though sometimes Shiono gets a little too attached to giving mini-biographies of characters, but all-in-all this book is an excellent read which will keep the reader captivated.

[Mel Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

How this fine and ancient city fell to the Turks and what events and decisions played the part of its downfall. This is my favorite of her books because it talks of the final days of Constantinople and I love that city! And it will forever be Constantinople not Istanbul!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ken Takahashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is this book translated to English? It is amazing to find reviews in English. Indeed this book is interesting, and I love her works!