Marc David Baer

This chock-a-block history of the Ottoman Empire from its origins in the 14th century to its demise in the 20th covers a multitude of topics, but still maintains a coherent momentum. I have been reading histories of Turkey and visiting the country for 50 years, and there was still a lot in this book that I did not know. The author does not shy away from horrific episodes in Ottoman history, nor does he avoid awkward topics. He also argues that Ottoman history should be considered as part of European history -- one element in the book that I did not find entirely convincing. Still, a great read.… (more)