Lords of the Horizons: A History of the Ottoman Empire First Edition, Kindle Edition

I recently started to re-read this book, as I had grabbed it at the last minute from my book shelve as I was heading out for a week's vacation. My earlier "review" was far too kind and I will reduce my number of stars from 2 to 1. After attempting to re-read this book, I'd like to start my review with: This book stinks. It's a waste of time to read this fable, written by an author who's specialty is Travel Brochures. It reads just like that, or more accurately, like a bedtime story to eager children. For example, on page 4, Goodwin writes, "They could fire arrows backwards from the saddle at a moving target, at a rate of three a second, ......" Really, Jason? Is that a fact?? I'll leave my earlier review, below, untouched, but after reading several other books on the history of the Ottomans and Islam, I realize this book is worse than I originally thought.Therefore............ here's my original review: This book is a fairly easy read and not too long, about 325 pages with a fairly easy to read font size. But I don’t recommend it unless it’s to a person who wants to read it as their first introduction into the history of the Ottoman Empire. I think it would be a good “skeleton” on which to build more details in further readings, but even so, this skeleton is missing a lot of bones.To me this composition lacked authenticity, as not a single footnote for reference was used throughout the book. I kept asking myself questions such as, “Who said that?” “Where did that statistic come from?” “How can I be sure if that statement is accurate?”One example of many, many statements needing foot notes or reference points throughout the book is seen on page 227. Goodwin writes, “There were 56 assaults and 96 sorties; both sides exploded exactly 1,364 mine each.” Really? Where did he get that data? Did he make it up? Did he read it somewhere? If so, he needs a footnote for reference.Also, the final chapter, “Epilogue,” appeared to me to be merely conjecture. It read like the end of a fairy tale. The entire chapter was a story about the dogs in Salonica and Istanbul near the end of the Empire. He describes how they became problematic to the citizens and therefore, were rounded up and shipped over to an island in the Sea of Marmara, but later swam back. Is that a fact? Where did that detail of history come from? He could have omitted the entire “Epilogue.” It was hogwash.I’ve read several books on the Turks and the Ottoman Empire and most were difficult to read because of the names of individuals, places, time periods, etc. But that’s to be expected because I speak only English. I got through them because the subject interested me. If you’ve already read several books on the Ottoman Empire, you can skip this one. There are others far better than this one.

Many know the author best through his "Inspector Yashim" detective stories ( and now his cookbook ), but Goodwin is a PhD in Ottoman studies and this book exemplifies the best of written history.It is a "popular" history, but writen as a true scholar showing the author's depth of reading and familiarity with innumerable sources. It is not a boring timeline chronology of Sultans and battles, but an immersion into the Ottoman world ( much like his novels) in which you meet these characters and join them in the events.I read the book years ago, then traveled to Istanbul, Greece, Bosnia, and even to Eger, Hungary to see the northern most minaret of the Ottoman conquest. Reading the book now for the second time was even more enjoyable.

Goodwin's history is not your standard chronological tale of rise, stagnation, decline, and fall. After a couple of introductory chapters setting the stage, he moves to a more thematic organization, occasionally skipping periods and jumping around, somewhat, chronologically. The book is probably better for those who already know something of European history in general (John Julius Norwich's book about the Mediterranean, The Middle Sea, is a good start for a general reader), but honestly most people who would read this book probably do. Also Goodwin is a pretty terrific writer, and never dull. Certain set pieces, like his description of the Ottoman siege of Constantinople, is the best I have read -- and I have read a bunch of them. Highly recommended with the caveat above.

I struggled to read this book as it did not follow any certain order. The author seemed more intent at writing anything so as to portray a failing disjointed accidental empire. Surely the Othman Empire that lasted Six Hundred years had more history than the uninformative ramble that this book provides.

The Ottomans were a fascinating culture, having a highly ceremonial culture and governance structure worthy of being called "Byzantine" although of course as a society, they succeeded the Byzantines.Goodwin takes us on a remarkable journey through the history, places and people of this long-lasting period and explains many of the reasons for the later ethnic wars and weaknesses of subsequent Balkanised states. The long history gets complicated and yet Goodwin takes the time and energy to really explain the circumstances under which each of the new sovereign states is created, sometimes then devastated by other newly-emerging states and the ultimate failures of many in this troubled part of Europe and Asia Minor. Contemporary wars and religious schisms are easily explained by the animosity shown by each of the protagonist states and political figures of modern history.In spite of all the "to-ing" and "fro-ing" of peoples, languages and ethnic hostilities, Goodwin's story-telling is clear and easily followed...and exactingly, historically correct and free of any bias.

I first read this as a library book because I got fascinated watching "Magnificent Century" on Netflix & and had to know more. After I took it back to the library, I realized I had to read it again so I bought it recently. I knew I had to because I'd just check it out again at some point & I wanted it around whenever I got the itch to check something out.

I have just finished reading this wonderful book for the second time,immediately following my first reading. This was not because of any problem, but simply the sheer exuberant generosity with which Jason Goodwin has endowed his history of the Ottoman Empire. A cornucopia, horn of plenty, about the Golden Horn.Previous reviewers seem dismayed that this book is not a dusty academic piece of writing, accurate to the letter, but not the spirit, of the Ottoman Empire. It is written, not like a list on a war memorial - just names & dates but, in a way it is like a beautiful wall of Iznic tiles, or an embroidered quilt, and that style reveals far more of the multi-faceted culture & six century-long Osman dynasty's rule over vast lands & diverse peoples.I came to this book via an abiding affection for all things to do with the Ottoman Empire and especially Istanbul, its heart. Various novels, Jason Goodwin's own Yashim ones and other authors like Elif Shafak and Jenny White, Katie Hickman & Barbara Nadel encouraged me in a desire to explore more about Istanbul & hence resort to non-fiction.... the dark side!The great thing for an amateur who revels in ancient regimes is that works of historical fiction can spawn a serious interest in studying a person or period in a greater depth. This book, Lords of the Horizons is my bridge to that, as it combines a lightly worn but profound erudition ( doubtless the result of hours of research, reading dusty tomes) with a beautiful style of writing - friendly, amusing and delightfully digressive. Goodwin's footnotes area little treasure trove in themselves.So this largesse is why I have re-read Lords of the Horizons. I have no doubt I shall happily read it again & discover yet more interesting facts about this fascinating world.I would also recommend Ogier de Busbecq' Turkish Letters' trans.E.S.Forster

This book has been on my wishlist for some time. I was really looking forward to reading it as I find the Ottoman empire really fascinating.For any book to try and cover the entire history would require volumes. This book lacks focus and I don't feel that I know much more about the Ottomans than I did before.There are parts of the book which suggest that the author actually looks down on the Ottomans, maybe making the mistake of judging history by current standards.

Never a dull moment in this tale of the Ottoman Empire, it's arranged more by theme than by chronology (that's at the back). It's a huge subject: if you seek a more classic approach, you may need to look elsewhere. However, now I have an appreciation of Turkish culture which I lacked before. I recommend it.

A very different book Mr. Goodwin really makes the Empire come alive before one's eyes. His description of both daily life and life in war, together with his use of descriptions from historical sources really makes this book stand out. Nevertheless the book is sometimes confusing, especially the first chapter, and some are real nuts to crack. Sometimes historical events are just thrown into context without being explained, or it is explained several pages or chapters later. This is the reason I only give it four stars. I still recommend the book highly, both to those familiar with this part of history and those entirely new to it.

I really enjoyed this book. It gave me a better understanding of the Turkish nation and people, and how modern Turkey came to be the bridge between East and West. It should be read in Western schools.