Istanbul - Thomas F. Madden

A history of Istanbul.  Well-written.  Unlike some of the other histories I have read, this one spends quite a bit of time on the period from the earliest establishment of the settlement by the Greeks through the Byzantine period.  He also gives some background about the Roman Empire and its relationship to Constantinople.  Madden also take it up to the period of Erdogan as mayor.  Some of the early history gives you a different perspective on neighbourhoods in the city, the main streets, and also some of the historical monuments and buildings.