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Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite
Mehmet, a young and reckless Turkish sultan, wants to claim the medieval city of Constantinople. He defies his late father’s advisers and vows to wrench Constantinople from the Christians and the weakened but beloved Emperor Constantine. James D. Shipman’s Constantinopolis is an epic historical military fiction about two powerful figures; one who wants to protect his beloved city and its people, and one who wants to etch his name in history for glory.
Shipman produces a well-researched piece of one of my favorite historical accounts. The turmoil in the Ottoman ruling family makes the young Mehmet more driven to capture the city of Constantinople. He wants to prove himself worthy of the throne. The Grand Vizier Halil, his father’s most trusted counselor, is a stumbling block to his ambition. Ruler Constantine XI Palaiologos is dispirited and struggling to keep a broken empire functioning. When the safety of the city is threatened by the Ottomans, Constantine has to make some sacrifices in exchange for military aid.
Both Mehmet and Constantine are fascinating characters with relatable flaws, which Shipman substantially portrayed. I’m also impressed with the fictional character Zophia, who has a significant part in representing the Greek people’s sentiments towards the Roman Catholic Church. The atmosphere of the era, such as life, customs, and the battles, is well-depicted through the writing. Shipman also provides informative details in the afterword. On the whole, Constantinopolis is definitely a historical piece written for those who enjoy learning history through a fascinating novelized account.
