Ms. Darke basic premise is that the Ottomans were as advanced, or even more advanced, than their European counterparts, a fact that is overlooked today, because of the decadent state of the Empire during its last century or so, and the current Christian-Muslim tension of our current times and recent past, which make objective views more difficult to maintain. She makes a strong case for the Ottoman Empire, despite its Turkomen and Anatolian origins, being a European entity -- it was certainly multi-ethnic, and for most of its existence the majority of its population were Christian; in addition, the wealthiest provinces were those based in the Balkans. She points out that the Ottomans wars with the Habsburg Empire in the west (and the Safavid Empire to its east) were wars of territorial conquest, and not wars centered around religion.
My primary objection to the book is her constant refrain, and attempt, to suggest that the Ottomans were more advanced in virtually every field than the western countries and cultural institutions. She does this to the point of stretching the truth. Just one example: in the very interesting chapter on medicine she says "Sabuncuoglu (1385-1468) described the dangers of bacteria, pathogens..." And a page or so later quotes Aksemseddin (b. 1389) "Disease infects by spreading from one person to another. This infection occurs through seed that are so small they cannot be seen but are alive." While based on epidemiological considerations, these doctors may have correctly concluded that diseases are spread by close contact, they really could not know the bacterial (and viral) nature of infection as the microscope, which first revealed bacteria visibly, was not invented until hundreds of years later. Aksemseddin's observation may have been correct, but it was pure speculation.
The potential reader should also be aware that this book is not a history of the Ottoman Empire -- it doesn't claim to be... its subtitle is "A Cultural Legacy." If the reader is looking for a history of the Ottoman Empire he/she should look elsewhere.
Still, once you get over the authors constant "the Ottomans were better" drumbeat, the book is a very interesting read.
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Top reviews from other countries
Henry D. Shapiro
Interesting, with beautiful illustrations, but somewhat biased
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2023Verified Purchase
Rozanna
Great read on Ottoman Empire
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2023Verified Purchase
Kevin Turton
Brilliant book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 15, 2023Verified Purchase
