The Ottoman Empire, 1700-1922 (New Approaches to European History) [Paperback]

Donald Quataert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 19, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0521547822 | ISBN-13: 978-0521547826 | Edition: 2

The Ottoman Empire was one of the most important non-Western states to survive from medieval to modern times, and played a vital role in European and global history. It continues to affect the peoples of the Middle East, the Balkans and central and western Europe to the present day. This new survey examines the major trends during the latter years of the empire, paying attention to gender issues and to hotly-debated topics such as the treatment of minorities. In this second edition, Donald Quataert has updated his authoritative text, revised the bibliographies, and included brief biographies of major figures of the Byzantines and the post-Ottoman Middle East. First Edition Hb (2000) 0-521-633281 First Edition Pb (2000) 0-521-63360-5

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'A revised edition of one of the best short introductions to Ottoman history." --Cornucopia

"The new methodological approach is remarkable." --Archiv orientalni

Book Description

The Ottoman Empire was one of the most important non-Western states to survive from medieval to modern times, and played a vital role in European and global history. This new survey examines the major trends during the latter years of the empire; it pays attention to gender issues and to hotly-debated topics such as the treatment of minorities. In this second edition, Donald Quataert has updated his lively text and revised the bibliographies. This accessible narrative will appeal to anyone interested in the history of the Middle East.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 234 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 2 edition (September 19, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521547822
• ISBN-13: 978-0521547826
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #100,169 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #41 in Books > History > Middle East > Turkey

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction into the Ottoman History April 6, 2001

By dndnd

Format:Paperback

This book is one of the best if not the best as an introduction into the Ottoman history. Although the period Prof. Quataert focuses is from the 18th till the first quarter of the 20th century, the first three chapters are created as an introduction to the Ottoman Empire until 1700. Overall the book is very strong in historical analysis on an introductory level. At the end of each chapter Prof. Quataert offers a list of related readings, which makes this book a great resource for advanced students of Ottoman history as well.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Introduction to Topic May 8, 2004

By C. Baker VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Quartert provides a broad sociological history of the modern Ottoman empire. For someone who knows very little about the Ottoman empire it provided a good flavor of the cultural and socio-economic make-up of the Ottomans. While the book is academic it is very well written, organized, and very assessable to the general reader.

The one drawback to this monograph, and this is not a criticism given that this was not the intent of the book, I did not come away with a very clear picture of the political history of the empire. Of course generalizations about politics, how the state was run, and its relationships toward European powers are covered - but if you are looking for a detailed political history of the empire this not the book to pick up.

Also, while there is a very short chapter on the legacy of the Ottoman empire at the end, it left me wanting much more. Especially since the Balkans and much of the modern day states that made up the Ottoman empire are today the flash point for ethnic and religious violence, from the former Yugoslavia, Israel, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Iraq.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A good overview of the late Ottoman empire October 19, 2008

By A. Berke

Format:Paperback

While I was grateful that this book did not follow a dry "date, place, event" format and in general was well written, I feel like I got less than I expected from it. I thought some of the earlier chapters were too brief, especially the chapter on the empire from 1683-1798. I also found several instances where topics were repeated (almost in their entirety) in two different chapters. For example the discussion of the Tulip Period and the influence of coffee houses and bathhouses both appeared twice, in about the same amount of detail. I thought the obvious repetition was unnecessary.

Other parts of the book were quite good. The author's model of starting what other historians have said on both sides of the issue at hand, and then working to look at the issue not through other historians eyes, instead through a "first principles" approach, I thought was beneficial to my understanding and appreciation of the Ottomans and the time period. I also enjoyed the chapter on inter-communal relations as I thought that the author was very careful to imbue appropriate context (regional, economic, religious, etc.) and look at the state of relations between the three religions in a way that did not seem like he had an agenda, rather a quest for the true state of the empire's people at the time. I was interested to learn about the different interactions between groups in the Ottoman empire, as opposed to what I'd already learned about the interactions of those same groups in say, late Moorish Spain. To watch how a nominally declining state (considering that the Ottomans ceased to exist after WWI) adjusted its laws and policies was fascinating.

I found this book at a used book store, and now having read it, was glad that I purchased it.... This niche book is not for everyone, but there is a lot to learn about the state of the Ottoman empire during its last years (militarily, economically, socially) in it. Read more ›

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written, concise and clear January 31, 2009

By doc peterson VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Donald Quataert's _The Ottoman Empire_ is a wonderful history of the late Ottoman Empire. The opening chapters ("Why Study Ottoman History" was particularly incisive, and should be required reading for anyone interested in the Near East) give an outstanding summary and introduction in just over 30 pages. No mean feat, it is testament to Quataert's skill as a writer of history.

The majority of the book, however, addresses the gradual implosion of the Ottoman Empire - the first half a broad overview of the policies and changes the Ottomans attempted to institute to slw its decline, the last half a closer look at the economic and social consequences and reactions to these polices. This organization works well.

The internal and external forces tearing the Ottoman state apart: ethnic minorities seeking nationhood, an increasingly conservative ulaema advocating for a return to "Islamic values", a decaying economic infrastructure and the great industrial nations of Europe pulling and pushing in an attempt to maintain political and economic stability - are clearly shown with a few specific examples to illustrate the point without the historical minutae that can bog-down the non-expert.

This is a well-written history that would be a marvelous companion piece to David Fromkin's A Peace to End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars very impressive details but one sided book July 3, 2012

By berjo

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Although the author is trying to leave the impression that he is neutral, but clearly this is a pro-Turkish book. For a person who doesn't have any idea about the Ottoman history, this book will teach the reader that for most of the Ottoman residents, Ottoman Empire was a pleasant place to live and raise family. But the real life was the opposit. I am Armenian from Lebanon, I have been taught in school that Sultan Abdul Hamid was one of the most oppressive dictators of this world, but somewhere in the book the author wrote that during his reign, Abdul Hamid built 10,000 schools, which doesn't sound correct to me. Or may be 10,000 school were built in Ottoman Empire during his rule, but the author is giving credit to Sultan Hamid for all.

I found the book interesting, because I am doing research about secret societies in the U.S. and their contacts and connections with overseas secret societies (mainly secret societies in Britain and Turkey.) So, I found interesting information in the book; on page 163, it says that in Istanbul there were between 300 and 500 secret society religious brotherhood lodges, which makes sense.

So, my recommendations is the following: if you read this book and want to know the whole picture of the Ottoman Empire, then look for other books that will give the other side of the story as well.