The Ottoman Empire: An Enthralling Guide to One of the Mightiest and Longest-Lasting Dynasties in World History (Europe)

This book analyses the socio-political and religious development and the evolution of the Ottoman Empire. It was an influential empire. One of the most critical and significant Ottoman Sultans was Suleiman II, the Magnificent. He succeeded his father, Selim I, as sultan on 30 September 1520 and began his reign with campaigns against the Christian powers in central Europe and the Mediterranean. Belgrade fell to him in 1521 and the island of Rhodes in 1522–23. At Mohács in August 1526, Suleiman broke the military strength of Hungary. Suleiman became a prominent monarch of 16th-century Europe, presiding over the apex of the Ottoman Empire's economic, military and political power. Suleiman personally led Ottoman armies in conquering the Christian strongholds of Belgrade and Rhodes, as well as most of Hungary, before his conquests were checked at the siege of Vienna in 1529. He annexed much of the Middle East in his conflict with the Safavids and large areas of North Africa as far west as Algeria. Under his rule, the Ottoman fleet dominated the seas from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea and through the Persian Gulf. This book is well-written.

If looking for a quick reference to understanding the beginning through the End of the Ottoman Empire the book gives a nice overview, but lacks details if interested in any one particular aspect of this World Power that ruled for over 500 years.

This entire series is so well written. Very detailed. Old misconceptions get remedied. Was the God Marduk the first basketball? Stolen & stolen back & then again & again see Akkadians in same series. You strongly get the sense that this old history isn't about peoples & cultures but tribal prowess & leader ego. Thousands die to steal a statue. (That is the only gain detected beyond bragging rights.). Does not show humanity in a better light than dinosaurs. The big eat the small. The small gang up & eat the big. Monty Python comes to mind - the art of not being seen. Oh, to be just an ordinary Scythian again.

Anyone who is interested in history will enjoy reading this book, regardless of ethnic background. The vast amount of territory once controlled by the Ottomans was remarkable.

This book follows the political rise and fall of the Ottoman Empire. It does a fairly decent job of explaining the chronological history of the empire through the lives, accomplishments, and failures of it's leaders. If someone is looking for a quick synopsis of what took place politically in the Ottoman Empire, then this is a good book for you.My one regret is that although the author mentioned cultural accomplishments or major social groups within society, they were not discussed in any significant way that would give the reader a better understanding of Ottoman culture or society. However, this was not the expressed focus of the author, so other books are needed for a deeper understanding of these aspects.This is still a good book for those wishing to get started in researching the history of the Ottoman Empire.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I knew nothing of the Ottoman Empire which I was curious about. I had no idea they were so powerful and interesting!Before this book, the only reason I knew of the Ottomans was because they are one of the eight playable factions in Age of Empires III, but reading this felt like an enlightenment.I like getting emails once in a while containing a discount for interesting pieces of history like this, 5/5.

Many books about the Ottoman Empire have been written. Few of them, however, have measured up in terms of presenting the information to an audience that includes everyone from general history enthusiasts to hardened historians.Enthralling History has does as much in its latest release, "The Ottoman Empire." Written in an accessible, engaging way, everyone can truly enjoy what is included within these pages. Consequently, it is worth reading each page.

One must admire the depth of research that has resulted in this detailed look at a most interesting 'empire'. However: the lengthy 'Introduction' is superfluous as all the information is repeated later; there is an annoying predilection to continually use variations of: "This chapter will…"; and the presentation tends to be overly wordy here and there.The rationale of fighting someone else just because they have a different religion remains elusive, especially within the same religion, just because they worship the same God differently!I oft wonder about the impact of wars on local villagers, simple farmers and inhabitants as thousands of soldiers march through…presumably destroying their crops and livestock and the impact of the fighting on THEIR land - something that's rarely covered.STILL - lots of interesting information to absorb!