Midnight at the Pera Palace

Reviews

“In this memorably distilled history, Charles King tells us just what the Pera Palace was—the ornately decaying hotel crouched at the center of a mare’s nest of intrigue, violence, sex, and espionage, all set against the slow dimming of Ottoman magnificence. I loved this book.”

“Superb—deliciously dense with detail and sheer narrative force as Charles King tells the twentieth-century history of the Near East through the prism of one great city. A sepia-toned classic!”

“Popular history at its best, authoritative and hugely entertaining. Few places were as colorful as Istanbul between the wars, and Professor King captures all the chaotic brio and contradictions of a city, and a culture, reinventing itself.”

“A dizzying kaleidoscope of a city that became recognizably modern in just a few decades. Charles King has combed out the threads of this complex and highly nuanced story in a hugely enjoyable, magnificently researched, and deeply absorbing book.”

“Elegant…multiple biographies unfold against the backdrop of an old city’s growing pains.”

“An engaging, detailed look at the old city that became the newest of them all.”

“Fascinating and perceptive.”

“A case study in rapid social change, redolent of incense and gunpowder, a cultural biography of one of the few cities that can claim the title of capital of the world…A diverse cast, ranging from Muslim beauty queens and Georgian royalty to Leon Trotsky, have left their mark on Istanbul, and King nimbly weaves their threads with enough color to draw in general readers and enough detail to satisfy specialists.”

“The Pera Palace, named after the fashionable Pera neighborhood in Istanbul, housed foreign soldiers during World War I and foreign spies during World War II. Over the years, the residence was the site of a murder, a suicide, and an explosion. Using the palace as a backdrop, King skillfully recounts the decline of the Ottoman Empire after Mehmed V declared jihad against the Allies in 1914…This satisfying read is highly recommended for anyone interested in war or religious history.”

“A dense but smoothly recounted history of Istanbul’s transformation from parochial imperial capital to multinational modern city…Staggering changes deftly chronicled by a seasoned historian.”

“Grover Gardner’s deep, versatile voice narrates the downfall of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of modern Turkey in this detailed history…Gardner recounts the cavalcade of characters and epic events with subtle inflections and clear pronunciation. The events of 1914–1918 and the influx of refugees from the Russian Revolution and Civil War are particularly interesting. Gardner’s skill in delivering terms in several languages, along with his other strengths, makes this a production well worth listening to.”

“This social history of one of the world’s most fascinating cities is as illuminating as it is entertaining. Characters from Trotsky to Hemingway, from a blind Armenian musician to a future pope, help tell the story of how Istanbul transformed itself from a refugee-clogged backwater into a vibrant metropolis. Midnight at the Pera Palace is a true Turkish delight.”

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