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jdintr's review
5.0
Goodwin's history captured my imagination years ago when I first read it. Now that I live in Turkey, I read it again, appreciating the influence it had had on me.
Jason's fascination with the Ottomans brings a forgotten empire to life: he covers the key elements of the rise and fall of the House of Osman. But he goes beyond the history, using accounts of travelers and western diplomats to paint a vivid picture of the Ottoman Empire, from its Balkan outposts to the deserts of Syria.
His account is as richly detailed and colorful as a Turkish carpet, and well worth the time of anyone with an interest in the history of this fascinating land.
Jason's fascination with the Ottomans brings a forgotten empire to life: he covers the key elements of the rise and fall of the House of Osman. But he goes beyond the history, using accounts of travelers and western diplomats to paint a vivid picture of the Ottoman Empire, from its Balkan outposts to the deserts of Syria.
His account is as richly detailed and colorful as a Turkish carpet, and well worth the time of anyone with an interest in the history of this fascinating land.
ccallan's review
2.0
This was a maddening book. Not quite a popular history, more like a historical travel journal. Meandering through 600 years of Ottoman history. And I say history only because the later chapters talked (mostly) about things that happened later (mostly) than earlier chapters. It mixed beautiful evocations of past eras with countless non-sequitors and just plain head scratching sentences. Beautiful quips - "being Romanian was more a profession than a nationality" - that had nothing to do with the point he was making. Then a mixture of explaining obscure points and then tossing off ancient terms with no explanation. I kept at it because I knew so little about the subject and was curious, and because puzzling over his frustrating text was rewarded frequently with fascinating insights and amazing tales. You've been warned.
j_wrathall's review
3.0
Certainly very readable, entertaining and interesting. I feel like I learnt a lot more in broad brushstrokes about Ottoman history, having only studied the final century and a half at university and some other knowledge accrued from EUIV. Nevertheless, this wouldn't be my go-to for the history. It relies too much (entirely) on often sensationalist European accounts with misrepresentations of the peoples of the empire. Even if intended as it seems as flavour to the narrative, doubt is cast on what purports to be historical fact by several basic errors, at least relating to Islam and Arab history, namely the attribution of the Zulfikar to Umar RA and the description of Fatima RA as the Prophet's SAWS sister.
Ultimately, taken with some salt, I did enjoy it, especially its fortuitous pairing with Children of Earth and Sky which is set in a fantasised 16th-17th C Adriatic and Balkans (and is also guilty of some of the flaws of this book, its fictionality notwithstanding).
Ultimately, taken with some salt, I did enjoy it, especially its fortuitous pairing with Children of Earth and Sky which is set in a fantasised 16th-17th C Adriatic and Balkans (and is also guilty of some of the flaws of this book, its fictionality notwithstanding).
tonythep's review against another edition
3.0
informative and lively history of the Ottoman Empire by the author of the recent Yashim mystery series (The Janissary Tree, The Snake Stone, and The Bellini Card) which takes place in 19th century Istanbul. in addition to being a great primer on Ottoman history, this book gives wonderful context to Goodwin's novels. made me want to read more about the Ottomans, modern Turkey, the Balkans, Armenian genocide, etc.
caroparr's review
4.0
After reading [b:Pawn in Frankincense|360455|Pawn in Frankincense (The Lymond Chronicles, #4)|Dorothy Dunnett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1399601640l/360455._SY75_.jpg|5879171], I had to know more about the Ottomans, and here was this book on my shelf. Goodwin has an eye for a good anecdote, and he's a pleasure to read. At the same time, he packs a lot into a sentence, and this fast reader had to slow down to pay attention to the nuances. My real delight was in finding links to PiF, such as the mention of Dallam, the organ maker sent to the sultan with an organ from Queen Elizabeth II, shades of the spinet sent by Queen Mary to Suleyman. And, of course, Suleyman himself, Roxelana, and poor Mustafa, the Bektashi, and the Janissaries. His bibliography is helpful, but I wish he had included citations throughout the text. I am still looking for more information about the "Scots renegade called Campbell, known as Ingiliz Mustafa," and Lord Newgate, who "turned Turk" and "was to be seen in Pall Mall wearing purple buskins, yellow leggings and snow-white robes in the 1820." Connections also with William Dalrymple, who offers many examples of Brits who adopted Indian ways in the early days of the EITC. Both Lord Byron and Edward Lear spent some time in the empire, so on to track down their writings about it. Very satisfying.
originally read in 2002
originally read in 2002
shiradest's review
2.0
This book was extremely interesting for it's excellent descriptions of the history and context of the various Sultans (or Sultan-Caliphs) to rule over the rise and fall of the Ottoman empire. The explanations and descriptions fo the cultures and circumstances of the various peoples who made up or were drawn into the empire, and how that happened, helps tremendously to understand the show Muhtesem Yüzyil, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1848220/ illustrating the life of sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and those around him. Now that I've finished this book, I no longer need to see the rest of the series! :-)
tanyarobinson's review
3.0
I read this book as an introduction to the Ottoman Empire, and as such I found it disappointing. Goodwin's approach is journalistic rather than historical, and jumps from theme to theme without giving any sort of chronological framework in which to mentally organize the information. Because I felt somewhat muddled as I was reading, I know I won't retain as much, although what was presented was quite interesting.
particularkev's review
2.0
Unfortunately this book did not realise my expectations for it. That is perhaps the kindest way I can put it. I was hoping for a reasonably detailed chronological history of the Ottoman Empire, it rise and demise. There is a lot in this book, plenty of interesting detail and some amusing also. However, it is a little ... too confusing for my like. It is all over the shop at times and just doesn't 'fit together' enough for me. It is a useful read, but I doubt it will leave a lasting impression on me or an understanding of the Ottoman Empire with me.
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