Customer Reviews

The Grand Turk: Sultan Mehmet II-Conqueror of Constantinople and Master of an Empire

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

An easy read for a history book. Has enough background to set the stage for an overview of the man who made a major impact on civilization not just what he did. The Turks were a major player in how western and eastern Europe was shaped from 1071 (first defeat of Byzantine emperor by the Turks) to 1923 (the formation of modern Turkey) The book covers the key time period around 1453 when Constantinople was conquered. The only thing I found distracting was the effort the author spent unnecessarily in my opinion to use Turkish spelling of words author felt were exclusively Turkish. I was not interested in correct Turkish spelling or correct Turkish pronounciation.

Any historical novel by John Freely is a pleasure to read. Freely, a highly respected professor at Robert College in Istanbul, moved to Turkey in the 60s and has been writing about his beloved "adopted" country ever since. Freely's most recent work, "The Grand Turk" brings Sultan Mehmet II and the Ottoman Era to life. This book is highly recommended for lovers of history in general and of Turkey in particular.

Can Çömlekçi

Istanbul Turkey

Chronicles his life of Sultan Mehmet II expanding the Ottoman empire from Constantinople to Italy to the West, far to the North and East.

Actually, I wouldn't even want to rate 1 star for this book. This book has an interesting title indeed, but once well-informed readers read the book, they will know that this book is a pack of fallacies and it is very unbalanced.

It saddens me to think that non-informed readers will read and take this book as 100% correct and then view Mehmed II as described in the book.

Light will overcome darkness and truth will prevail.

Seekers of knowledge and the truth, look for the truth and don't just believe without doing your own research.

Mehmed II had been and will always be the just Conqueror. Rest in Peace.

The story carries such a bias tone is exceeds the realm of far fetched propaganda. When the writer mentions the many treaties that the countries broke, he makes it sound trivial, when the Ottomans defeat delegations sent to massacre them, this is again very trivial. When such attempts fail and they are punished by the Sultan as a result, it draws a vivid picture. Hardly mentioned the honour and honesty of Turks upholding all treaties made and hardly mentions the ramifications and numbers killed as a result of crusaders constantly breaking their promises and breaking their treaties. An evil book with an evil intent. Shame on you Freely!