The Golden Throne

Christopher de Bellaigue brings to life the world of Suleyman and leaves the reader reeling with his descriptions of astonishing excess in both wealth and brutality. The pace, the language and the story-telling are simply magnificent -- Victoria Hislop
Christopher de Bellaigue creates thrilling entertainment out of meticulously researched history -- Robert Peston
This is history, but not as we know it. It is non-fiction posing as a novel, rich in incident and cinematic detail. It's tremendous . . . It's a sign of how thoroughly gripping this book is that I found myself wanting a second volume as soon as possible -- Justin Marozzi * The Times on The Lion House *
Wolf Hall for the Ottoman Empire ... History at its most gripping ... And the next two volumes, we know, will have plenty of drama to come * Telegraph on The Lion House *
The most daring history book of the year. Unforgettable -- Dominic Sandbrook * Sunday Times on The Lion House *
A formidable book ... incredible -- Rory Stewart on The Lion House
An urgent, immersive, present-tense gallop ... behind the bejewelled descriptive prose a thumping pulse of action tugs us through * Financial Times on The Lion House *
Luminous ... gripping ... truly magnificent * Spectator on The Lion House *
Exquisite . . . So arresting is this book, so enveloping in the tensions of its narrative, that most readers will feel a pang of sorrow that the tale does not run on. The Lion House leaves us with a tease, or taunt: 'Who, apart from God, can say what will come next?' A sequel, surely. Although it was the peak of the Ottoman Empire, Suleyman's reign also offers clear glimpses of a great decline to come. Who better to tell us about it than Mr. de Bellaigue? * Wall Street Journal on The Lion House *
There are books that enlarge the mind, there are books that enrich the soul, but rarely comes a book so beautifully-written and profound that it manages to do both -- Elif Shafak on The Lion House