The Man of Constantinople

The Man from Constantinople by José Rodrigues dos Santos is a gripping historical fiction novel inspired by the extraordinary life of Calouste Gulbenkian, the legendary Armenian oil magnate known as "Mr. Five Percent." Set against the backdrop of the declining Ottoman Empire in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the story follows Kaloust Sarkisian, a brilliant young Armenian from Constantinople. Blessed with an incredible eye for beauty and art, as well as a ruthless business instinct, Kaloust foresees that petroleum will become the lifeblood of the modern world. As political instability, ethnic massacres, and world wars threaten to destroy everything, Kaloust uses his diplomatic genius to negotiate with global superpowers, foreign governments, and oil titans. Dos Santos crafts a rich, atmospheric tale of ambition, geopolitical intrigue, art collecting, and the birth of the global oil industry.

Because it combines high-stakes geopolitical drama, historical realism, and a fascinating look into how the modern oil industry and global power dynamics were forged.

For fans of biographical and historical fiction, readers interested in Middle Eastern history, the fall of the Ottoman Empire, and the origins of the international oil trade.