The Ottomans: A Cultural Legacy

by Diana Darke

A richly illustrated examination of the Ottoman Empire, 100 years since its dissolution, unraveling its complex cultural legacy and profound impact on Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

A hundred years after the abolition of the Ottoman sultanate on November 1, 1922, enough time has passed to reexamine the Ottomans and reassess their legacy. This illustrated volume, by critically acclaimed author Diana Darke, explores their unique achievements in architecture, cuisine, music, science, and medicine, as well as the political challenges they met. The Ottoman Empire faced issues shared by modern European and Middle Eastern how to maintain a balance between religious ideology and secular politics and how to promote fairness and equality among citizens in a multicultural society. While many still equate the Ottomans with the decadence of Istanbul―extravagant architecture, harems, and hookahs―they are unaware that the secrets of Ottoman success lay in a disciplined bureaucracy and a standing army that both awed and seduced its opponents. The Ottomans harnessed the talents of their diverse populations and quickly buttressed the crumbling edifice of Byzantine Christianity. Their dynamism and resilience helped fuse the cultures of Asia, Europe, and Africa, from the Himalayas to the Sahara, absorbing whatever impressed them, from Mongol armor to Persian tile work. Alongside their essential rigor, they enjoyed the finer aspects of in music, cuisine, and art, unafraid, even as rugged fighters, to display their love of flowers and gardens, especially tulips and roses. Behind the fine robes, carpets, and ceramics on display today in their great architectural monuments, Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia, lie centuries of migration, trade, and struggle. In this original and beautifully illustrated book, Darke reveals a radically new picture of the Ottoman Empire  150 color illustrations

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Cultural, Art, Middle East, Politics

288 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 2022

Reviews

[Emiliya Bozhilova · Rating 1 out of 5]

Когато млад български моряк от семейството ми за първи път попаднал в Турция през ранните 50-те, той провел леко шизофреничен разговор с един ходжа от затънтената турска провинция. Ходжата го запитал дали е вярно, че в България всички са комунисти. Младежът отговорил що-годе политкоректно и отчасти убедено за времето си, че да, България сега е комунистическа и в нея има много комунисти. Ходжата го изгледал нажалено и го попитал дали и той е комунист. Ами да, отговорил морякът, и аз съм комунист. Вай, изохкал ходжата, а на нас ни казаха, че вие, комунистите, имате рога. Сега какво да кажа, като се прибера - гледам те, човек си като мен, рога нямаш.

Морякът говорел турски, защото бил роден в Делиормана и отраснал с турскоговорящите хлапета от махалата. Без този език, разговорът никога нямало да бъде проведен и оставен като семейна история.

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Учебниците и официалните версии, освен че неизбежно опростяват комплексни събития, често пропускат пъстротата на реалността и обичат да слагат рога тук-там, за да отличат добрите от лошите в конкретния наратив. Американските комикси не са първите в този вид, понякога опасно, опростяване. Историците вероятно го обичат и прилагат още повече.

Затова е хубаво да се опитаме да виждаме повече от пъстротата, нюансите и разнообразието по теми като “Османската империя”. Мислим си, че я познаваме, но, разбира се, грешим. Или поне не сме напълно прави. Можем и трябва да си позволим да я поопознаем и да проявим любопитство сега, когато е изтекла достатъчно вода и си имаме наше си кътче, колкото и да е малко. Защото самият факт, че сърмите са част от националната ни кухня, а някои иначе жаргонни стари турски думи се разпознават лесно в целия близък Изток и централна Азия също идва да покаже, че докато кипят освободителни движения и се раждат идеи, кухнята и ежедневието също се адаптират и усвояват нови елементи, които един ден ще са част от бъдещата ни идентичност, заедно с идеите.

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За съжаление, не е тази книгата, която да помогне в опознаването на Османския пейзаж. Единственото хубаво нещо са илюстрациите. Прекрасни са! Всичко останало е на ниво “туристическа реклама”. В първата глава, озаглавена с апломб “Османската душа” читателят не научава абсолютно нищо за гореспоменатата душа. Има няколко инфо дъмпа в стил Уикипедия, и забележително идиотското твърдение, че данъкът “девширме” (т. нар. кръвен данък за събиране и отделяне на момчета от семействата им, за да станат еничари) е … неразривна част от “османското меритократично мислене”. Тук туристическата реклама минава в чиста неграмотност. Във втората глава се предполага да научим нещо за икономическите основи на империята. Трънки! В Бурса имало коприна, дрън-дрън, и толкоз. Останалото са общи приказки и авторката бърза да приключи с тази глава, за да не и се налага да дава информация. Нямам нерви за останалото.

Като цяло Уикипедия и всеки туристически справочник за някоя от бившите провинции на империята дава повече информация. Оттук читателят няма да научи абсолютно нищо. Владеенето на много езици е ключово за комуникацията. Авторката, уви, не владее нито един! Най-малкото езика, подобаващ за представяне на една 600 годишна империя.

[Yelda Basar Moers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I plan to write a longer review for this recent publication. But all I can say is bravo to this writer for doing justice to Ottoman history and culture. Finally we have historians and authors who are writing the true story of the Ottomans and who write with verisimilitude and veracity! The book is gorgeous too and full of beautiful photos and pictures that accent its prose so perfectly.

[Karyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plenty of illustrations and lively information, but a little short on sources for numerous wide statements. It felt like I was being hustled by a tour guide in a hurry.

[Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite its immense historical significance and the penetration of many cultural elements into the Western world, the legacy — as well as the very concept — of the Ottoman Empire continues to be regarded as exotic, foreign, strange, and inherently impenetrable. Diana Darke’s aim is not only to introduce that which to this day often eludes full comprehension, but also to reintroduce concepts and phenomena that have become a fully integrated part of the world without anyone taking into consideration their origins. The cultural aspects are divided into various chapters and discussed throughout the 700-year duration of the empire which allows the reader to grasp the Ottomans in a more compact way. I enjoyed this concept a lot — the reader can easily grasp particular periods mentioned while still seeing the empire as a long-lasting and dynamic entity.

The only reason why I am giving this book four stars is that, while I understand Darke’s intent to paint the Ottomans in a favourable light and drift away from the negative stereotypes that persist to this day, she has lost herself in this intent and drifted into subjectivity. She repeatedly paints the Ottoman Empire as a paradise on earth for all of its subjects, a utopian system that bestowed equality upon everyone and where every "foreign" talent could reach its full potential, something these people's native lands could never offer them. While it is true that the Ottomans were not as antagonistic as national histories often portray them to be in a result of the 19th-century nationalistic sentiments (talented people taken through the devşirme system indeed reached powerful positions within the empire; religious freedom indeed worked in ways that European countries could not even fathom at that time; and they were indeed seen as more the favourable option for being more liberal and tolerant when compared to the Catholics), the topic should be approached with as much complexity as the reality truly was. The perpetual rebellions against them throughout the history hardly began in the 19th century, and they are undoubtedly a proof that living under the Ottomans was hardly a paradise on earth. Hence, such works would be much more enjoyable if we were capable of avoiding the extremes on both the positive and negative spectrum and tried to examine this complexity instead — for nothing in this world is ever only black or white.

[Dustin Boggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

a welcome stroll through an empire past that kept me reading but left me thirsty for more salep. about 75% of the references that drew my attention came from Sultans of Rome: The Turkish World Expansion

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book may have a pro-Ottoman bias, it is a beautiful and well researched work.

[Brian Belworthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book, so interesting.
Watching the Magnificent Century on YouTube brought the book alive.

[Lilisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshing and informative overview of life under the Ottoman Empire and the many historical, social, cultural, religious contributions it made over the span of more than 600 years. I enjoyed the structure of the book - a combination of text and pics that enhanced the reading experience. I enjoyed the pace and level of details in the book. The author kept the information at an easily digestible level, not bogging it down by going too deeply and losing the reader, but instead designed to pique the reader’s interest to continue exploring more about the Ottoman Empire. It’s a beautifully put together book to read and savor. I definitely recommend this book.

[Ewout De Vries · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is interesting and easy to read. Downside is that the author tends to take positions that the grass is always greener on the Ottoman side with lots of statements, without giving any sources.

E.g.: at one point she makes clear that Arab people claim the "invention" of Turkish coffee calling it Arab coffee, which is weird because a) "Turkish" identity didn't really exist 500 years ago and b) Coffee is literally from the Arab peninsula, she makes that point even herself two pages afterwards.

earlier in the book she kind of explains away and half-justifies the devshirme system, forcefully taking and conversing children is not OK, nothing wrong with explaining the system and making the benefits clear but there is no need to make up semi-excuses for it 600 years later...

As an alumnus in courses in Mediterranean studies I feel like it lacks some nuances and it sometimes feels like reading about the Ottomans versus the West.
Criticisms aside, I liked reading it and will keep details it in mind when travelling to Turkey or surrounding nations. It suits readers who don't know a lot about the Ottomans as this is more an introductory book than a well-researched gold mine of new info.

[Rhianwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most accessible books about the Ottomans I’ve read so far. Most overviews are about the sultans and/or focus heavily on the empires expanding and contracting borders and the military campaigns. This book, as it says in the cover, is about the cultural legacy.

In the hardback the illustrations are fabulous, full page and interspersed in the text so they really do add a huge value to the book. Also way more interesting than the average ottoman book (there’s a great one of an ordinary woman buying shoes, not just Sultan x conquering/hunting/thinking about conquering or hunting).

I find books like this written by women far more interesting than men; the focus is more on the domestic and ordinary which forms the basics of a culture, rather then the big ticket items that are orchestrated by and focused on by men. Also there are just far more books out there written from the male perspective, which isn’t wrong, but this book is refreshing because of it.

Read for Ottoman cultural enrichment. Don’t read if you want to know about men and swords.

[Asjad · Rating 4 out of 5]

An assessment of the cultural legacy of the Ottomans that counters the orientalist stereotypes of it. In parts it can feel too idealised and utopian but Darke addresses this, explaining how her objective is merely to shed light on the more positive influence that the Ottomans had, which is not talked about enough especially in the western world. Very fascinating and insightful read.

[Veronika Pister · Rating 1 out of 5]

now I know what the Brits think about the Turks
5 stars for reading experience, 1 star for writing

[Benzino Benzaniti · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose this book because I wanted a quick summary of the Ottoman Empire while going through Turkey and it reminded me that quick summaries aren’t always the way to roll. You get out what you put in, so on so forth.

200 odd pages is probably not enough for a run down of the Ottomans. Nevertheless, it was a good jumping off point for further reading :) (which I may or may not do)

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I found the writing style a bit mundane and oversimplistic at times, I enjoyed this book as it tries to deconstruct the many fantasy-like, or negative facets of the much-entrenched “orientalism” associated with the Ottomans in the western world, and the vile stereotype of the “the terrible Turk,” inexorably developed throughout centuries.

The book is an unusual one, as it does not fit the mold a “history book.” Indeed, unlike many books on history, this one does not provide a dull historical account (or a chronological one for that matter) of the Ottomans, nor does it aspire to. Instead, Darke chooses to focus on aspects of daily Ottoman life, providing insights into diverse areas such as their musical tradition, literature, mores and customs, architecture, and forms of government. It also sheds light onto their relatively less celebrated contributions in science (primarily medicine, cartography, physics, and astronomy), such as the invention of scalpel, and inoculation. The author’s main (and valid) point is that the Ottomans have left a worthwhile legacy to posterity for two reasons: a) their emphasis on meritocracy and use of comparative strengths of various nations embedded within the empire; and b) their openness to refugees, allowing them to build a new life, flourish and become contributing members within their newly adopted society.

For all the research that the author has put into the work, however, the book suffers from one evident shortfall.

It seems to rely too readily on scant concrete evidence to reach certain generalizations, for example, in reaching the conclusion that the Ottoman women had great latitude/independence on commercial activities. Darke also uses somewhat strange language in a few cases – for example, writing, “even the Turk-hating Budapest,” perhaps unaware that the city has not only taken good care of some of its Turkish monuments (Gul Baba Turbe in addition to the hamams as she acknowledges) but has also named quite a few of its streets/squares, recognizing its Turkish/Ottoman past --as Török (Turk), Turbe, Ankara, Turban, and Gul Baba, all of which I have personally been to. In Budapest and elsewhere in Hungary, I have seen numerous plaques on such monuments –not only recognizing their Ottoman origin, but also providing detailed information on how they were used and the specific lexicon that go along with them. Interestingly, I have not, however, come across street named as “Osztrák” (Austrian) or “Orosz” (Russian), but I suspect that does not make the city “Austrian or Russian-hating”!

On a minor note, the author also makes a factual mistake that caught my eye, when she writes “after Sultan Selim conquered the Arab lands of Syria and Palestine from the Byzantines in 1516”. The Byzantine empire, of course, ended in 1453, more than half a century before the Darke’s claimed date. While I would like to think this is an unfortunate mishap, it still left me wondering whether there are other factual mistakes/inaccuracies in the book in areas that I do not know much about.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A remarkably baffling book. The central thesis that the cultural legacy of the Ottomans is interesting and distinct from the legacy of other imperial projects that existed contemporaneously in the west is very interesting in conception.

However, I spent a lot of time feeling like I was being treated as a bit of an idiot, the comparisons to the west lack any depth and are often poorly chosen and poorly made at one point Darke argues that the Ottoman mode of inheritance allowed them to avoid the devastating civil wars, such as the English war of the roses, caused by primogenitor in the west which is an interesting if under explored point however her example is Anne Boleyn being executed by Henry VIII an event which takes place in peace time after the war of the roses concluded. These poorly chosen examples have the effect of undermining the argument Darke makes as it seems she doesn't understand what she is comparing to. It frequently feels like an argument with a very conservative traditional western historian is being had which is just tiring, Darke could focus on the overlooked points of connection between the Ottomans and the west instead of saying Ottoman cuisine in the courts is superior to the sandwich.

More generally I think it was a book that was trying to cover to broad an area and period and consequently nothing is covered in much depth, the jumping back and forth across the timeline makes it difficult to follow developments of cultural sensibility and attitude.

Darke also seems unwilling to consider why nationalism developed within the Ottoman Empire, she mentions the Ottomans diminishing due to the machinations of the Russia (how the Ottoman Empire expands is rarely addressed) and at the end she muses if any of the former Ottoman territories are happier for their independence. There is an interesting question as to whether nationalism is the best way forward in our increasingly divided world but I'm unconvinced that implying the imperial system is the way forward. It is not added by the fact that Darke seems to struggle to express the forms of persecution within the Ottoman Empire which they say is not religious but rather economic with seeming no recognition that there could be an intersection between the two and then later notes that there was different tax rates based on religion.

Overall the idea is good but I feel the execution was poor.

[Danial Hume · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was dazzled by the colorful illustrations when I first flipped the pages and loved the lesser-covered topics when I looked at the chapters. Most history books on Turkey tend to cover mostly on the political aspects (war, battles, reforms) but not this book.

To be clear, this is not an academic book and it shows in its writing, that's ofcourse not necessarily a bad thing, the writing is clear in what its trying to convey. I like how every chapter is separated thematically, and covers many non-political aspects (cuisine, science, art, music, medicine etc) apart from the politcal one. Its also nice that the book doesn't focus too much on one time period, so you get a good balance on early Ottoman history, the Suleiman/Selim period, the 18th century Tulip period, Tanzimat, as well as the declining era.

On neutrality this book fails hard, its quite annoying that the writer continuously repeats how bad the Western world is and how great the Ottomans were at everything. And there's always a need to compare the two cultures which can be very cringe-inducing at times. Despite her bias its a minor annoyance, I still enjoyed the book for all the positives listed above. Recommend

[Sirin · Rating 5 out of 5]

de Busbecq said, “In Turkey every man has it in his power to make what he will of the position into which he is born and of his fortune in life.

Those who hold the highest posts under the sultan are very often the sons of shepherds and herdsmen, and, so far from being ashamed of their birth, they make it a subject of boasting, and the less they owe to their forefathers and to the accident of birth, the greater is the pride which they feel.

Just as they consider that an aptitude for the arts, such as music or mathematics or geometry, is not transmitted to a son and heir, so they hold that character is not hereditary, and that a son does not necessarily resemble his father; but his qualities are divinely infused into his bodily frame.”

[Daniela Milosheska · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really impressed by this book. Coming from a region that was once under Ottoman rule, I grew up with very little understanding of what their cultural legacy actually was. At school, we were taught bits and pieces of history, usually focused on occupation and conflict, but not much about art, architecture, literature, their progressive views on women’s rights or the everyday influences that still echo through our culture today.

This book changed that for me. I was extremely surprised to learn how progressive their culture was, from the rights women had, to their view on religion and the freedom people had to practice it, to how they attracted talent from all over the world. It opened up a side of the Ottoman Empire I had never been exposed to, one that felt both enlightening and necessary.

The way it explores the cultural contributions of the empire made me think, this is the kind of material that should be mandatory part of our education. It gave me context, nuance, and appreciation for a history I had only seen through one lens before.

Highly recommend it if, like me, you’re curious about filling in those gaps and understanding the richness of the Ottoman legacy beyond the usual narratives.

[Dan Sibbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent subject ("cultural legacy") and most welcome change from many history books that seem to be all about kings, wars, and politics (we get enough of that stuff every day here in the USA). I really enjoyed this book. I learned all I never expected to know about Turkish towels, raki, and ottoman couches. The artistic illustrations were all outstanding. But the book's focus was on an aspect of Ottoman culture new to me. In a word: inclusiveness. The OE is usually characterized in the West as being the "sick man". Backward, cruel, barbarous, and ignorant. Darke shows a much different aspect to the Ottoman culture. This is a contender for my 2023 Book of the Year selection.

[amycw · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Ottomans: A Cultural Legacy is filled with beautiful images, which made it worth reading. It is a gorgeous book. However, as a history teacher who teaches the Ottoman Empire, I was expecting more new information. I found the writing to be dull and monotonous and the information to be stuff I have already come across in other books. Some chapters were very interesting while others felt contrived and pointless. There was too much specificity on things that didn't seem to warrant that level of detail (for instance, a drink that was popular in the Empire), while the book lacked much historical information. For the price, I would skip it.

[bookinglibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The breadth of topics covered in this enjoyable and extensive overview of Ottoman culture is essential for anyone fascinated by this legacy. Darke is an especially passionate advocate for restoring these cultural contributions, which have been neglected, forgotten or deliberately expunged from the historical record. Encompassing science and medicine, business and religion, art and architecture, language, food, lifestyle and much much more, Darke brings to light the illustrative and enriching inheritance we have all received from the Ottomans.

[Ryan S · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provided a decent overview of the many facets of life and society where the Ottomans left a a wide and deep cultural legacy. It definitely highlighted many aspects, such as Ottoman music, architecture, and food, which I knew very little of. While the author was quick to point out that she wouldn’t be judging the Ottomans... it seems she was very eager to praise them. The pro-Ottoman slant was unnecessary, especially when describing just how amazing Ottoman tiles and rugs are compared to Persian ones, or how accepting the regime was of various religions compared to Christendom.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe 3.5 stars? The book starts with the fact that we westerners don't learn anything about the Ottoman Empire despite it lasting for hundreds of years and being in Europe. This isn't meant to be as history, more a cultural overview. It is that -- it reads like a textbook birth in breadth and in somewhat stilted language. I liked the pictures included throughout the book and I definitely feel more knowledge/respectful of the Ottoman Empire.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If an introductory overview of many well-covered topics, this is the Rolls-Royce of text-and-picture sketches of the great themes of Ottoman culture. Wonderful editing, too, as each and every entry in this spell-bindingly beautifully printed book could have gone on for endless pages. Instead, we get several paragraph-long or occasionally 1-2-page-long overviews of the many wonderful ways in which the Ottomans came as close as any to mastering the art/s of civilization in early modern times.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This part of the world has always fascinated me since I took a college course on its history. After recently traveling to Istanbul, I thought I should read up on the Ottomans. The book is very up-to-date including references to Covid19 and the Ukrainian Invasion by Russia. Well written, but very easy to read, organized by chapters on subjects. It is a good book to read about the untold history of a Muslim culture that many people would find suprising.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about the Ottoman Empire and how it has been misrepresented or broadly ignored in the west. There is, consequently, lots to learn here. The empire was broader and lasted longer than the Romans, and it was a broadly inclusive meritocracy. The book is beautifully made and has many illustrations to accompany the text, which is broken up into thematic, rather than chronological sections.

[Ross Dweller Tatarak · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an enlightening read. So much information in a book that is barely 250 pages long. Extremely well researched and written, there’s just so much about the Ottomans we have no clue about, so much ignorance surrounding their glorious past. Of course we all know that many atrocities were committed by the Ottomans but what empire hasn’t? Thank you Diane Darke for this entertaining and refreshing insight! I shall be looking forward to your other book on Arab architecture influencing Western art.

[Saliha Gurdag · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel quite spoiled to have stumbled across Diana Darke after reading so many books based on Ottoman history from a Westerners point of view; that have been quite biased and tone deaf to the actual glories of the empire. Diana thank you for writing such a masterpiece. No prejudice, no preconceived judgement, simple and accepting research written and discussed on one of the greatest empires of all time.

[phebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got the whistle-stop tour of ottoman culture that I expected, plus the historical throughline of multiculturalism and religious tolerance being slowly dismantled by 19th and 20th century nationalism. now I’m going to reread the food + drink chapter and write down whatever sounds tasty (so pretty much everything) to prepare for my trip to istanbul

[Noor Saadeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent account of the Ottoman civilization! Grateful to Dr Darke for so eloquently and joyfully opening our eyes to the plurality of the worlds people's. That no one nation can claim civilization, knowledge, science, the humanities as exclusively their own invention. And aren't we all the better for it?!