NOT CONSTANTINOPLE

Hi Michael, as a visitor to Istanbul I fell in love with the city. Your book has given me a greater insight into it's people and their government. I would have loved to have read this before my travels, gaining the knowledge only a resident can portray. This is a truly inspiring book. I wonder if i'll be locked up for my description of my visit to the Turkish baths? It's in chapter 6 if you fancy a laugh and is all true!! All the best to you, Karen Bates Faking it in France. on my W/L highly stared.

This is fasciating stuff. I was actually looking for fiction when I typed 'Istanbul' into the search engine but when I read the pitch and glanced over your profile I decided to go ahead and have a read anyway. The description of your trial in your profile, by the way, had me uttering the phrase 'bloody hell' more times in a minute than I normally would in a month.

There are some really interesting insights into a country we hear a lot about but know very little of - the image of demonstrating political cartoonists is one that'll stay with me for a while.

Many thanks for posting this here and I hope life runs more smoothly in the future.

By the way, you can always teach English in Germany (as I do) if the authorities start to turn up the heat again. In certain partsof Munich you'd think you were in Turkey anyway.

Best,

Ross

This was a surprise to me (and now it I think about it I don’t know why thinking about the history of the area).
This has a feel of a very well thought out and developed book.
Having spent time in Saudi and the Gulf the muezzin call came flooding back. You have brought up one or two perspectives I would have never thought of. – Enjoyed this!

Hi Michael, The censorship in Turkey is really something and it’s good that you made their rules clear even though interpretation is something else. The John Lennon song in the classroom demonstrates that and how sensitive the people are to religious issues. The narrator’s view as resident and journalist is a remarkable thing to read. And he is one who takes risks, it seems, since Lennon was a controversial figure. Wish I could read more today. Shelved – Katherine (The Swan Bonnet)

(QUOTE] Thoughtful, considered, intelligent, measured - the bad news is that I suspect the big publishers will also be looking for fast paced, page turner and entertaining - how you achieve that without totally changing what you have written I am afraid I don't know.

J.S.Watts
A DARKER MOON

Yeah, well, it's not supposed to be a fast-paced page-turner. It's just a collection of articles I was lucky enough to have published by 'America's Best Political Newsletter' - Counterpunch - http://www.counterpunch.org/

But thank you anyway. Later I plan to write an account of my life in Istanbul that will have you hanging on the edge of your seat. Watch this space!

Thoughtful, considered, intelligent, measured - the bad news is that I suspect the big publishers will also be looking for fast paced, page turner and entertaining - how you achieve that without totally changing what you have written I am afraid I don't know.

J.S.Watts
A DARKER MOON

NOT CONSTANTINOPLE
This is an interesting story. All too often Americans take for granted their right to free speech. This book is a good reminder that not all countries respect that at the same level. I can see college professors who teach courses like sociology requiring this for students to read. I know I learned a lot from reading it. I’m adding it to my shelf. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

Hi Michael
I travel to Turkey regularly for my job and although I know some of the history, this was a real eye opener. Well researched and a poignant read. Fantastic.
DP Walker
Five Dares

One must never forget that as Byzantium, Constantinople was the world leader in intrigue, political backstabbing and assassination, both physical and mental. Such a heritage is bound to bubble below the surface. This was an interesting read about a place I have never been to. It seems horridly fascinating. Most countries have a gloss off polite respectability over a seething mass of ego and vested interests if you dig deeply enough.
Thanks for sharing this.
Jim Darcy
The Firelord's Crown

Hi Michael,
I was immediately interested in this as it's about Turkey, a country you obviously know well. I'm also interested in how to tread the difficult line when commenting on differences between my own culture and another - when to criticize and when to respect that there are other ways of doing things, however much I may not like them. Unlike you, I don't think I've come close to being arrested - yet! But the Kurdish situation and Orhan Pamuk and the Armenians are of course very serious. My subject matter is rather more personal, but if you were able to have a look at my book, I'd very much appreciate your take on it. Your articles are indeed powerful and thought-provoking stuff, and need I say, sure to provoke a reaction!
Lucy