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Ghost Empire

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Ghost Empire

By: Richard Fidler
Narrated by: Richard Fidler
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About this listen

Ghost Empire is a rare treasure - an utterly captivating blend of the historical and the contemporary, realised by a master storyteller.

In 2014, Richard Fidler and his son Joe made a journey to Istanbul. Fired by Richard's passion for the rich history of the dazzling Byzantine Empire - centred around the legendary Constantinople - we are swept into some of the most extraordinary tales in history. The clash of civilisations, the fall of empires, the rise of Christianity, revenge, lust, murder.

Turbulent stories from the past are brought vividly to life at the same time as a father navigates the unfolding changes in his relationship with his son. Ghost Empire is a revelation: a beautifully told ode to a lost civilisation, and a warmly observed father-son adventure far from home.

©2016 Richard Fidler (P)2016 Bolinda Entertainment & Celebrities Travel Writing & Commentary Celebrity Middle East Middle Ages Imperialism Ottoman Empire Ghost Haunted Ancient History Crusade Africa
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A brilliant book which reveals another chapter in history that is so often overlooked by Hollywood and popular culture.
Richard Fidler intertwines a wonderful history connecting his own journey with his son and the intriguing Byzantine story. Highly recommended.

The other Roman history

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I really enjoyed this audiobook. It was an interesting insight to a part of history we here little about. The author re-told compelling stories of the times in a way the average person can relate to.

Interesting and compelling

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Well done Richard.This book was written and read in a way that engaged me in the story from start to end. I really like the way you included the narrative of your son Joe and your story with him throughout the book.

Entertaining, Informative and Gripping

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I have long been fascinated by the history of the Byzantine empire and the telling of its story while walking the streets of modern Istanbul brought a thoughtful relevance to the ancient stories. thoroughly enjoyed this book.

excellent history

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A fascinating and entertaining history of an overlooked and maligned empire. The chapter on the final fall of Constantinople is particularly fine.

Gripping

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I wasn’t sure how Richard Fidler would be as a narrator but wow really loved his performance and the book’s content on the period was fascinating. Very well researched. Well done Richard!

Geat find!

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Its incredibly refreshing to hear history read by a fellow Australian rather than a stuffy blue blood brit.

loved the way the story weaved exploring modern istanbul with the relevant history. One of the most engaging histories i’ve listened too or read.

Bloody excellent.

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What a great book!
Loved that its read by the author, gives the text so much more colour.
Filled in such a large gap in my history and was always enjoyable and informative. Sad that it's come to an end.

Enjoyable history

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I fear that I will not do justice to this marvellous story of a devoted father who has taken his young teenage son on a journey to modern Turkey to share his passion for the history of the Byzantine
Era. By taking him to the remains of what was the centre of the Roman Empire, Richard is able to entwine the facts of what took place centuries ago and retell it with the added joy he has in sharing the journey with his young son. He leads young Joe on the trip of a life time where he is able to impart to the reader factual history that is told in such a way that it has left this reader wanting more, though I doubt that he'd left much out. One can only hope that there are more journeys in the future for this pair of travellers, perhaps as Joe becomes the man his fathers mentions in this tale,he will take his father on a journey that we can be rewarded with. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A brilliant story, full to the brim of facts and laced with love and passion for history.

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Listening to this book, narrated by the author, is like being in the presence of raconteur with a bottomless bag of stories. Richard Fidler makes the history of the Eastern Roman empire come alive. The stories of his travels, accompanied by his son, and the sympathetic tone of the book, makes that history come alive. I highly recommend this audiobook.

Great story to listen to

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