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Overview
Despite the fact that its capital city and over one third of its territory was within the continent of Europe, the Ottoman Empire has consistently been regarded as a place apart, inextricably divided from the West by differences of culture and religion. A perception of its militarism, its barbarism, its tyranny, the sexual appetites of its rulers and its pervasive exoticism has led historians to measure the Ottoman world against a western standard and find it lacking. In recent decades, a dynamic and convincing scholarship has emerged that seeks to comprehend and, in the process, to de-exoticize this enduring realm. Dan Goffman provides a thorough introduction to the history and institutions of the Ottoman Empire from this new standpoint, and presents a claim for its inclusion in Europe. His lucid and engaging book--an important addition to New Approaches in European History--will be essential reading for undergraduates.Synopsis
Daniel Goffman's lucid and accessible book examines Ottoman relations with Europe in the Early Modern period.
Booknews
Goffman (history, Ball State U.) provides an introduction to the history and institutions of the Ottoman Empire and its dealings with the rest of Europe. Following an introductory overview, eight chapters discuss Ottoman organizations and peoples and how such institutions and the personalities they produced co-existed with and influenced the Mediterranean and European worlds. The body of the text is broadly chronological and examines Ottoman political, religious, societal, diplomatic and economic concerns. Each chapter begins with a vignette that addresses a troublesome spot in Ottoman historiography, filling out and personalizing the historical record. The book contains 30 b&w illustrations and seven maps. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Editorials
From the Publisher
"...essential reading for historians of western Europe and for those interested in the interaction of states in the early modern period. Thought provoking and strenously argued, The Ottoman Empire and Early Modern Europe will be of value to specialists for its efforts to synthesise new research and to non-specialists for both its lucid and lively depiction of the empire and its innovative efforts to knit western and eastern Europe together." Itinerario"Goffman's book fills a useful gap for history instructors and students by presenting an empathetic history of the Ottoman Empire that is both scholarly and accessible." ComiTATUS
"Highly recommended for the academic undergraduate." Journal of South Asian and Middle Eastern Literature
"[A]n excellent monograph.... This stimulating bok should be required reading in all courses on early modern Europe. All levels and collections." Choice
"This important study of the Ottoman Empire has a number of unconventional approaches that should endear it to the student unfamiliar with its historical evolution and accomplishment up to the period of decline. ...In my judgement this well-written text should serve the interest not only of students, but in many respects, that of the scholar bent on adopting new and more intimate approaches to the history of the Ottoman empire. ...I highly recommend it as an important text for the study of the Ottoman state in its European setting." Digest of Middle East Studies
"...thought-provoking..." Canadian Journal of History, Thomas Scheben, City of Frankfurt