The Ottoman Empire, 1300-1650: The Structure of Power

From Publishers Weekly
In this diligent and rather dry general history, Imber, a lecturer at the University of Manchester, charts the Ottoman Empire from its birth, circa 1300, through its zenith in the reign of Süleyman, to the end of its expansion in the mid-17th century. The first section of his book, a chronological narrative, begins with Osman, the founder who gave the Ottoman Empire his name, and ends, essentially, with the Sultan Ibrahim's descent into madness and his 1648 murder. Imber then moves into considerations of the structures and workings of power in the empire: the dynasty, which galvanized control around a sultan and his male progeny; the methods by which ministers and other officials were recruited; the physical and political structure of the palace, with its eunuchs, harems and grand viziers; the division of control in the provinces, the sacred and secular laws; and the branches of the military. His narrative, which makes great use of secondary sources but also employs newly translated primary ones as well, will introduce the lay reader to the complicated and often bloody history of the Empire, if not necessarily elegantly, then efficiently and thoroughly. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
For many laymen in the West, the Ottoman Empire is almost a pejorative term. High-school students learn about the "sick man of Europe" prior to World War I or are well versed in the massacres of Armenians within the empire. The successor state to the empire, Turkey, is poised to join the European Union; so it would be wise for general readers to receive a balanced account of the empire's growth and structure. Imber, senior lecturer in Turkish at the University of Manchester, has certainly provided that account. The first quarter of this well-written book is a chronological history ending in the mid-seventeenth century. The remainder of the book is devoted to topics such as the organization of the military, the legal system, and administrative control of the provinces. What emerges is a portrait of an imperial system that provided reasonably efficient government and surprising opportunities for both non-Turks and non-Muslims. Jay Freeman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Review
"...faculty looking for a good textbookbliog...and students seeking a valuable introductionbliog...will both be well servedbliog..."--Jonathan Grant, History: Reviews of New Books

"Clearly outperforms, in terms of comprehensiveness, accuracy, and insight, both generalist works written by non-specialists and introductions to the subject by scholars." --Colin Heywood, SOAS, University of London

"Colin Imber's The Ottoman Empire describes the Empire in its early days and at its height. His book offers fascinating insights."-- Michiel Leezenberg, NCR Handelsblad

"...an intelligent and well-researched account of the first half of Ottoman history. Maps, glossary, list of sources, bibliography and an expert index add to its utility for the specialist as well as for the general reader."--I. Metin Kunt, The Anglo-Hellenic Review



Review
"...faculty looking for a good textbook...and students seeking a valuable introduction...will both be well served..."--Jonathan Grant, History: Reviews of New Books
"Clearly outperforms, in terms of comprehensiveness, accuracy, and insight, both generalist works written by non-specialists and introductions to the subject by scholars." --Colin Heywood, SOAS, University of London
"Colin Imber's The Ottoman Empire describes the Empire in its early days and at its height. His book offers fascinating insights."-- Michiel Leezenberg, NCR Handelsblad
"...an intelligent and well-researched account of the first half of Ottoman history. Maps, glossary, list of sources, bibliography and an expert index add to its utility for the specialist as well as for the general reader."--I. Metin Kunt, The Anglo-Hellenic Review



Book Description
This stimulating and ground-breaking book surveys the history of the Ottoman Empire from its obscure origins in the early 1300s, through its rise to the status of a world power and its struggles in the 17th century. Written in an accessible, narrative style, The Ottoman Empire examines the internal structure and politics of the Ottoman dynasty, revealing the growth and development of the power, politics, and institutions through which the Sultans ruled. Colin Imber draws from a wealth of multi-lingual sources, many of which have never been previously translated into English, and presents a fresh view on one of the most important, yet misunderstood, empires of the pre-modern age.



About the Author
Colin Imber is Senior Lecturer in Turkish at the University of Manchester.



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In this diligent and rather dry general history, Imber, a lecturer at the University of Manchester, charts the Ottoman Empire from its birth, circa 1300, through its zenith in the reign of S|leyman, to the end of its expansion in the mid-17th century. The first section of his book, a chronological narrative, begins with Osman, the founder who gave the Ottoman Empire his name, and ends, essentially, with the Sultan Ibrahim's descent into madness and his 1648 murder. Imber then moves into considerations of the structures and workings of power in the empire: the dynasty, which galvanized control around a sultan and his male progeny; the methods by which ministers and other officials were recruited; the physical and political structure of the palace, with its eunuchs, harems and grand viziers; the division of control in the provinces, the sacred and secular laws; and the branches of the military. His narrative, which makes great use of secondary sources but also employs newly translated primary ones as well, will introduce the lay reader to the complicated and often bloody history of the Empire, if not necessarily elegantly, then efficiently and thoroughly. (Jan.) Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.


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