Paradise Lost: The Destruction of Islam's City of Tolerance

Description

On Saturday 9th September, 1922, the victorious Turkish cavalry rode into Smyrna, the richest and most cosmopolitan city in the Ottoman Empire. What happened over the next two weeks must rank as one of the most compelling human dramas of the twentieth century. Almost two million people were caught up in a disaster of truly epic proportions. PARADISE LOST is told with the narrative verve that has made Giles Milton a bestselling historian. It unfolds through the memories of the survivors, many of them interviewed for the first time, and the eyewitness accounts of those who found themselves caught up in one of the greatest catastrophes of the modern age.

Giles Milton is a writer and journalist. He has contributed articles to most of the British national newspapers as well as many foreign publications. He is the author of five previous works of non-fiction and one novel. His books have been translated into sixteen languages worldwide. He travelled widely during the course of his research for Paradise Lost, notably to Turkey and Greece.

'[PARADISE LOST is] Giles Milton's brilliant re-creation of the last days of Smyrna' -- Sunday Times 'Engrossing ... Milton's book celebrates the heroism of individuals who put lives before ideologies' -- Independent 'The sack of that famously cosmopolitan city makes a compelling story. It is also a strikingly neglected one ... Milton's considerable achievement is to deliver with characteristic clarity and colour this complex epic narrative. Milton brings commendable impartiality to his thoroughly researched book. Paradise Lost proves a timely examination of a defining moment in the history of ethnic and religious conflict' -- Sunday Telegraph 'Paradise Lost is a timely reminder of the appalling cost of expansionist political ambitions; it tells a fascinating story with clarity and insight' -- The Economist 'Paradise Lost is essential reading for anyone that cares about the past - and present of today's Europe, indeed of civilisation itself' -- Adam LeBor, Literary Review 'Giles Milton ... has written his best book to date' -- Scotland on Sunday '[Milton is] a master of historical narrative' -- The Sunday Times 'Milton has a terrific eye for the kind of detail that can bring the past vividly to life off the page ... restores an exotic lustre' -- The Spectator 'Giles Milton ... has crafted an inspiration for those of us who believe that history can be exciting and entertaining' -- The Times 'Milton is a great storyteller ... he conjures mood from dry parchment' -- Express on Sunday