Bradford loves Constantinople: the culture, the art, the politics, the people. It was the greatest city in the world, even as its once vaunted military decayed. In the 13th century, the city was sacked by the Fourth Crusade, leaving it a husk that was finally plucked by the Turks centuries later. In this quick popular history, Bradford uses the sack of Constantinople to explore the politics of the era, and the machinations of Doge Dandolo, who used financial leverage and a puppet emperor to direct an army of Franks from Egypt to a Christian nation. Carefully, he manipulated events to destroy Constantinople, leaving Venice the supreme trading power in the Eastern Mediterranean. Looted relics decorated cathedrals and monastery across Western Europe, but a unique storehouse of treasures, skills, and ancients writings was forever lost.

Bradford has a turgid writing style, which somehow captures the romance of the period. This isn't the last or only word on the fall of Constantinople, but it's a strong introduction.

Bonus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhqeNUFCyI0