Author Interview – James Shipman

What’s your weakest character trait?

Concentration.  I have first team, all conference adult attention deficit disorder (undiagnosed).  I can do 318 things at the same time, but I can’t do one thing.

Why do you write?

I write as therapy.  I have an intense high stress job as a litigation attorney, writing helps me escape and relax.

Have you always enjoyed writing?

Not when I was an infant.

What motivates you to write?

I love sharing my passion for history with others.

What writing are you most proud of? (Add a link if you like)

In hopes of not sounding ridiculously contrived, my new book Constantinopolis is the writing I am most proud of.  I have always loved the story of the fall of Constantinople, and it’s impact on history and the world.  I loved writing all about it and getting inside the head of the primary characters.

What are you most proud of in your personal life?

I’m proudest of my kids and my family.

What books did you love growing up?

I love non-fiction history books and also fantasy growing up.  I loved Lloyd Alexander and David Eddings.

In 1453 Constantinople is the impregnable jewel of the East. It has stood as the greatest Christian city for a millennium as hordes have crashed fruitlessly against its walls.

But Mehmet II, the youthful Sultan of the Ottoman Turks, has besieged the city. His opponent is Constantine XI, the wise and capable ruler of the crumbling Eastern Roman Empire. Mehmet, distrusted by his people and hated by his Grand Vizer, must accomplish what all those before him have failed to do: capture Constantinople. To prove that he deserves the throne that his father once took from him, Mehmet, against all advice, storms the city. If he fails, he will not only have failed himself and his people, but he will surely lose his life.

On the other side of the city walls, the emperor Constantine must find a way to stop the greatest army in the medieval world. To finance his defenses, he becomes a beggar to the Pope, the Italian city-states, and the Hungarians. But the price for aid is high: The Pope demands the Greeks reunite the Eastern and Western churches and accept the Latin faith. If Constantine wants aid for his people he must choose between their lives and their souls.

Two leaders, two peoples, two faiths battle for their future before the mighty walls of Constantinople.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Historical Fiction

Rating – PG

More details about the author and the book

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Website http://james-shipman.com