Customer Reviews

The Ottoman Empire and the World Around It (Library of Ottoman Studies)

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

 

 

(The only reason why I think that this book may alienate the casual reader somewhat is that it throws some names and events around which will be unfamiliar to most history buffs. If you can handle that, then by all means check this book out!)

This book is not exactly a page turner at first, but it is enjoyable, especially if you have a basic understanding of the early to late Medieval and Early Modern Period. This book covers some aspects of Ottoman history (and some corresponding European and Central Asian/Iranian history) in the Early Modern/Modern Era that, simply put, you will not find in other books. Suraiya Faroqhi is not your typical historian that chooses to write a book like this, largely by using the subject's chronology as an outline; the analysis is much more detailed, no matter how insignificant any subject covered seems at first.

The book almost seems to work backward compared to other history books, and that is a good thing. To give an example, I have several books on the Roman Republic/Empire, and 90% of their content is the same; the other 10% is that extra bit of detail on subjects that authors add out of their own interest or specialty as writers. Imagine that an author took that 10% from several great books on the Ottoman Empire, but took all of it further; if that made any sense, then that will give you an idea of what to expect with "The Ottoman Empire and the World Around It."

Some examples of that detail and analysis include relations between the empire's administration and European pilgrims -- Jewish and Christian -- to Jerusalem, how the Hajj was managed for non-Sunni Muslim pilgrims, the differences in administration between frontier, coastal, inland, rural, urban, and major provinces/cities, the lives of slaves and POWs in the empire vs. Europe and the Americas, the lives of women, relations with European and Iranian merchants/diplomats, Waqfs and the evolution of urban planning in the main cities. Each subject is covered from as many sources and perspectives as possible.

Highly recommended.

If you want to know about foreign policy with Europe this is great. Unfortunately it focuses too much on Europe without delving into the relationship with the Safavids to the East, the Russian Empire to the north, or northern Africa to the south. that is why I am only giving it three stars. If it was titled Ottoman Empire and the world to its West it would have gotten 5!