Gilles Martin-Chauffier

A book that tries to sum up the history of the once-small-town of Byzantium, across the latter era of the Roman Empire to the very end of the Ottoman era. I am not overly fond of books that oversimplify things, and that is what this book does, to the utmost degree. The book is spread in a number of chapters - some deal with singular leaders, others with what can only be described as historical trends. Out of it all, emerges an image of Constantinople (and Istanbul) that seems to stand on two very particular pillars: one, is the City of Cities' extraordinary radiance, its magnificence, its capacity to endure for over a thousand years as the most stunning city on the Earth, the pinnacle of human civilization. The other pole, is that very place's infinite capacity for intrigue, excess - and yes, atrocity. The author maintains this bipolar portrayal throughout the book - he revels on the wonders of civilization and administration, a cultural and physical beauty unmatched, combined with genius and opulence, while unfolding the sordid details of backstabbing, imperial succession, of wars whose details would make your blood curdle, and of choices so venomous that would make Machiavelli's Prince cringe. To his credit, the author pays respect to the randomness of history, acknowledging that dumb luck and chance - and sheer force (or weakness) of personality will constantly be the wreckers or makers of Fate. The author also declares he has made a bet with himself, to show that this city - today's Istanbul - belongs in Europe and Europe cannot exist without it. Does he succeed? Partially. He is quite correct to pinpoint all those astounding contributions of Constantinople and Istanbul to our civilization, to remind those that would turn Byzantium into a dark corner of history, that it was anything but. That it deserves its rightful place as the keeper of ancient knowledge throughout the Middle Ages and as the original birthplace of the elements that would eventually become the Renaissance. The author also draws a line between the insanity of the imperial power games, across both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, and the genius that managed to prevail across most of the City's history in terms of administration, law and finance. Between his words, rises a picture of our eternal human stupidity, and our propensity to ruin what we most admire; but also our desire and capacity for greatness.

To wrap everything up, I must admit I partially wrote this review in order to see if I can come to closer terms with my own reactions to the book. I haven't. I still find it impossible to decide how many 'stars' this book deserves. At its best, it leaves an imprint of an entire era; while in its worst moments, it oversimplifies things to a criminal degree. I generally do not love works that I consider to be 'uneven' (especially movies), and not every chapter in this book was created equal. If, by reading this review, you feel that you like some of the elements mentioned and would like to go through it, go ahead. But, if you are the kind of person who is overly stringent in their assessment and cannot endure even ONE tidbit of gossip or unproven implications (e.g. the author implies that Suleiman the Magnificent had a lifelong gay affair with his best friend, Pargali Ibrahim Pasha and that Suleiman's wife, Hurrem, was not concerned over the appointment of Rustem Pasha (and her right hand) as Grand Vizier, because Rustem was ugly and she thought there was no way Suleiman will want to fuck him), then stay away. I can only say that i DO NOT regret reading this book - but it does not hold a handle to far more researched books like Norwich's Byzantium series. Then again, many people love to get a glimpse, a sniff, a whiff of a culture, lightly, and for those this will be a good read.… (altro)

En apparence, tout oppose Richard Tessler, l'animateur vedette de Canal Première, qui manie la langue comme une arme de combat, et Hassan Elgann, l'ailier droit de l'équipe de France, au physique de pharaon émacié, le crâne rasé, le verbe rare, soudé à son clan familial dans le 93. En apparence, seulement. Ces deux fauves ont au moins un rêve en commun : Delphine, blonde aux jambes affolantes, aussi cynique que Tessler dont elle ne fera qu'une bouchée. En la raccompagnant chez elle, Richard voit ce qu'il n'aurait pas dû voir : une émeute dans la cité où un enseignant se fait molester puis tombe dans le coma. La police cherche les responsables et surtout leur commanditaire. Richard sera-t-il impliqué
Alors la bluette entre " happy few " des plateaux télé vire à la série noire. Chacun verra son passé resurgir. On découvrira, au passage, que tout le monde ment. Et se ment. Tessler a effacé toutes traces de ses origines, le clan Elgann flirte avec le banditisme, Delphine est une manipulatrice hors pair. Mais au juste, qui manipule qui ? Avec le brio et la causticité qu'on lui connaît, Gilles Martin-Chauffier ne décrit plus seulement les coulisses du Tout-Paris médiatique, il aborde ici les problèmes de notre société : en fustigeant les " grandes consciences " qui, sous couvert de morale, font des banlieues le théâtre de leurs ambitions, il pose des questions gênantes. Comment s'intégrer à la société française ? Et qu'arrive-t-il quand on s'affranchit des règles… (altro)