The Ottoman Turks: An Introductory History to 1923 (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Justin McCarthy's introductory survey traces the whole history of the Ottoman Turks from their obscure beginnings in central Asia, through the establishment and rise of the Ottoman Empire to its collapse after World War One under the pressures of nationalism. Vividly illustrated with many maps, this introductory overview is designed for non-specialists but is written with great authority and with access to original sources. It fills an important gap for an authoritative but accessible account of the rise of one of the world's great civilizations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 424 pages
• Publisher: Longman (March 14, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0582256550
• ISBN-13: 978-0582256552
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #938,506 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an excellent introduction, June 5, 1998

By A Customer

This is probably the best overall history of the Ottomans around. A thorough researcher and lucid writer, McCarthy focuses on family life and health and disease in the Ottoman Empire as well as the diplomatic, military and political history of the empire. This book is a must for anyone interested in the history of Turkey, the eastern Mediterranean, or Caucuses.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars scholarly, July 23, 1998

By A Customer

This book provides a fabulous overview of the Ottoman Empire. I especially appreciate McCarthy's attention to matters that are often not discussed in history books (at least in a serious way), such as family life and daily life. I feel that sometimes McCarthy takes an overly pro-Turkish stance on controversial issues, but this book really is valuable.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Did he just remember it all?, May 20, 2007

By	Due Fuss (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

A valuable and informative introductory textbook to be sure, but it is absurd that Professor McCarthy fails to provide any suggested readings, or even more shocking...a bibliography! He does cite when he uses a chart or document from another source, but I was incredulous to find no bibliography. No doubt McCarthy's students would receive a failing grade for such an egregious omission. That said, McCarthy's book provides a superb introduction to the complexities of Ottoman history, presented in an engaging and accessible manner.