Richard Fidler presents Conversations with Richard Fidler, an in-depth and personal radio program broadcast across Australia on ABC Radio. He has interviewed prime ministers, astronauts, writers, and scientists, but the program often features remarkable people who are unknown to the wider world. The program is the most popular podcast in Australia, with over a million downloaded programs every month. In another life, Richard was a member of Australian comedy trio the Doug Anthony Allstars (DAAS), which played to audiences all over the world. This is his first book.
Australian radio personality Fidler recounts a trip to Turkey with
his son in this surprisingly diverting tome that elucidates the
rise and fall of Nova Roma. Fidler colors the contours of ancient
history while sharing personal reminiscences of his travels with
his son.
Byzantium, Constantinople, and Istanbul--a three thousand year
story of phantasms and delusions, of invasion, collapse, empire,
decay, a tragic continuo of golden and grandiloquent hopelessness,
an erotic magic-show poised at the sea-washed edges of Asia and
Europe. All of this provides a canvas for Richard Fidler to
reconstruct, quite brilliantly, a saga of power and glory that most
of us vaguely remember, but few of us have had a chance fully to
savor. Now, thanks to the stylish cleverness of an exceptionally
curious and talented man, we can feast on what strange magic the
city brought--and still brings today--to the world beyond. I am
speechless with admiration.--Simon Winchester
Fidler displays great charm in the telling of his tale, spicing it
with delicious gossip.
Fidler's prose is lively and entertaining; he has a great affection
for his subject and often describes it in a way that makes it seem
magical. Strongly recommended for anyone interested in traveling to
Istanbul and in its history
Fidler's story leaves its readers with a sense of faith in the
renewing, illuminating, social powers of historical narrative. The
tale of the Ghost Empire has bridged the gap between a father and
son, enriching the contemporary world with the echoes of the past.
Byzantium never really died. Its labyrinthine--its
byzantine--intrigues cast their shadows over the city still.
The author navigates fluidly from the city's founding by
Constantine, the first Christian ruler, moving on to the
significant rule of Justinian and his strong-willed wife, Theodora,
construction of the Hagia Sophia, schisms, plagues, Crusades,
sieges, and the creation of the 'deep state' that resonates today
under Turkey's current authoritarian prime minister. Fidler
provides a palpable sense of this glittering city built as 'a
mirror of heaven.'
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