The Ottoman Empire: A Short History

It is extremely rare to find a history that not only artfully covers the subject matter, but also points out the important areas that remain virtually blank. Suraiya Faroqhi achieves a short synthesis of Ottoman history that places her work among the classic studies by Inalcik and Wittek. As artfully as any Osmanli, she provides an extremely balanced overview of the development of Ottoman empire throughout its entire existence. This is, by far, the best introduction out there. Her nuanced style means that her work, in spite of its brevity, deserves a very careful reading. Such care will be richly rewarded in both additional insight and understanding of this complex empire and its successor.

What is written in this book is clear and I trust accurate by comparison with other reading, but the author simply doesn't address some of the less civilized behaviors of the sultans and the army. For example, the full nature of how the sultans disposed of other potential heirs to the throne, wives with whom they were displeased, and political rivals isn't adequately presented. Nor is the full scope of the genocide of the Armenians. The way it is addressed in this book is almost as if to say something happened but it was the Armenians' fault - the Ottomans simply responded reasonably albeit heavyhandedly to a problem. Still, a clearly written survey of a long standing empire not well known in today's US.

This booklet seems to provide some insights absent from, say, Kinross's "The Ottoman Centuries", and in its highly condensed form it provides a digestible overview and framework for fuller accounts of the long and eventful evolution of the Ottoman Empire. So, as a companion to more substantial books (which are too few for such a significant chunk of history and geography), it is useful. It is, however, far too sketchy to stand alone. The maps are helpful. The index, in common with those of most books, is inadequate, so that relocating people, places, and events in the text is hit and miss; this, of course, detracts from the book's utility.

I was looking for an explanation of how the Ottoman Empire started and I'm not sure I still understand it quite. The book is probably too advanced for what I was looking for.

Very fast shipping and excellent book, just as it was described

Great author. unbiased and does not fall into orientalist category of historians. Not the shortest history or the best, but still worth the read.

“The Ottoman Empire: A Short History” is a brief overview of Ottoman history by Suraiya Faroqhi. In just 167 pages, Faroqhi surveys the important economic, political and military milestones and events of the entire length of Ottoman history, going from the rise of Osman I in the 14th century, to the rise of the Turkish republic after World War I.The book is divided into five chapters, each corresponding to a specific period of Ottoman history. Chapter 1, “Rise and Expansion (1299-1481)” covers the rise of the Ottoman sultanate as one of several competing polities in Anatolia. The sultanate gradually expands and brings the other Turkish beyliks under its rule, and finally conquers Constantinople and the Balkan territories.Chapter 2, “Between East and West (1481-1600)” discusses the Ottoman Empire’s two-pronged expansion into both the East, where it goes head to head against the Mamluks and Safavids, and the West, where it goes to war against the European Christian powers. Notable events at this time include the fall of the Mamluks and the battle of Lepanto (1571).Chapter 3, “Hard-Earned Successes and Serious Setbacks (ca. 1600-1774)” chronicles the height of Ottoman expansion. At this time, they reach their furthest extent just outside the gates of Vienna (1683). From this point onward, Ottoman territory begins to contract as the European powers begin chipping away at their territories.Chapter 4, “The Longest Century of the Empire” continues the story of the decline of the Ottomans, as they lose many of their possessions to other colonial powers and to nationalist independence movements. It is at this time period that they become known as the “sick man of Europe.” This decline continues until the onset of World War I.Chapter 5, “The Ottoman Military World War I, and the End of Empire” brings the history of the Ottoman Empire to a close with its eventual defeat at the hands of the Allied powers during World War I. At this time, all of its remaining Arab and European possessions gain full independence, and the remaining Turkish state reforms itself into the Republic of Turkey.Despite its brevity, “The Ottoman Empire” manages to hit all of the major milestones of Ottoman history, which makes it suitable as a primer on Ottoman history for non-specialists. I also appreciate how the author refers readers to longer works for further reading, such as the multi-volume “Cambridge History of Turkey,” and the one-volume “Osman’s Dream” by Caroline Finkel. In fact, after reading this book, I began reading the latter to supplement my knowledge of Ottoman history.Still, the fact that the book is so brief means that certain things are not given as much treatment as they deserve. For example, the rampant fratricide of the early sultans is only briefly discussed, even though it is a major part of how the Ottomans passed down power from generation to generation.Also, the Armenian genocide is given a scant paragraph, and the author seems to want to water down its brutality by painting it as a response to Armenian uprisings that got out of hand and resulted in some civilian deaths. The author even downplays the number of deaths by pointing to sources that give a low estimate of 200,000 - 600,000 people killed. This is by far the weakest part of the book, and the main reason I only give it three stars.All in all, while this book is okay, there are much better works on the subject. I would recommend this book only to someone who 1) wants the very basics of Ottoman history and 2) is aware of the author’s biases regarding the above-mentioned facts. For others, Caroline Finkel’s book, “Osman’s Dream,” is a much more detailed and objective treatment of Ottoman history.