A History of the Ottoman Empire
Product ID: 51814294
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Covering the full history of the Ottoman Empire, from its genesis in post-Mongol Eurasia to its dissolution after the Great War in Europe, this textbook takes a holistic approach, considering the Ottoman worldview - what it was, how it came together, and how it fell apart. Douglas A. Howard stresses the crucial role of the Ottoman sultans and their extended household, discusses the evolution of the empire's fiscal model, and analyzes favorite works of Ottoman literature, emphasizing spirituality, the awareness of space and time, and emotions, migration, violence, disease, and disaster. Following how people spent their time, their attitudes towards authority, how they made their money, and their sense of humor and sense of beauty, this illustrated textbook is an essential resource for graduate and advanced undergraduate, courses on the history of the Ottoman Empire, the Middle East, Islamic history, and the history of Eastern Europe. The book includes over eighty illustrations, maps and textboxes. Review: Very detailed history - It is quite heavy going in places but I have enjoyed reading it and it has definately expanded my rather limited knowledge of the Ottoman Empire Review: Not an easy read - Sadly I had to throw in the towel at the halfway point with this book. I am convinced the author knows his stuff but he failed to communicate much of it to this reader. A glossary would have been invaluable and a decent full page map at the start of the book would have helped to illustrate the geographical extent of the Ottoman Empire. All the illustrations in the book are monochrome which in itself is not a bad thing but I felt I was reading a volume that had been published around 1900; quaint but not exactly up to date. I had hoped for enlightenment but it was not to be.
| Best Sellers Rank | 476,208 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 789 in Religious History of Islam 10,388 in World History (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.3 out of 5 stars 110 Reviews |
M**G
Very detailed history
It is quite heavy going in places but I have enjoyed reading it and it has definately expanded my rather limited knowledge of the Ottoman Empire
L**E
Not an easy read
Sadly I had to throw in the towel at the halfway point with this book. I am convinced the author knows his stuff but he failed to communicate much of it to this reader. A glossary would have been invaluable and a decent full page map at the start of the book would have helped to illustrate the geographical extent of the Ottoman Empire. All the illustrations in the book are monochrome which in itself is not a bad thing but I felt I was reading a volume that had been published around 1900; quaint but not exactly up to date. I had hoped for enlightenment but it was not to be.
D**A
Wonderful easy read
Great book concise well written great story telling
A**R
Trying to make sense of the Middle East? - start here.
Scholarly, if a bit dry at times. Should be required reading though for anyone involved in creating foreign policy. A centuries old cultural mosaic whose dissolution following WW1, and the self serving machinations of those who most benefitted from it's collapse, resulted in the fractured Middle East of today. A fine example of what not to do.
A**R
It's a textbook
It reads like a textbook. The back cover says it is a textbook. I did not know that before I ordered it. If you want a textbook, it is a good one. It's educational. It could use a glossary, though.
S**.
good service
very informative. An easy read. Gave as gift.
M**I
A Good Second Book to Read on the Ottoman Empire, But Probably Not the Best First Book
This doesn't seem to be a good beginning book on the topic of Ottoman History. It seems to presuppose a certain level of knowledge of the Ottoman Empire. It combines a narrative with cultural and financial/economic history - which is a good thing, but I think it's a book you would want to read after reading a more general History of the Empire.
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