History

The Ottomans: Khans, Caesars and Caliphs

The Ottomans: Khans, Caesars and Caliphs

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  • Create Date：2023-01-13 12:16:38
  • Update Date：2025-09-23
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Marc David Baer
  • ISBN：1473695740
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Summary

This major new history of the Ottoman dynasty reveals a diverse empire that straddled East and West。
 
The Ottoman Empire has long been depicted as the Islamic， Asian antithesis of the Christian， European West。 But the reality was starkly different: the Ottomans’ multiethnic， multilingual， and multireligious domain reached deep into Europe’s heart。 Indeed， the Ottoman rulers saw themselves as the new Romans。 Recounting the Ottomans’ remarkable rise from a frontier principality to a world empire， historian Marc David Baer traces their debts to their Turkish， Mongolian， Islamic， and Byzantine heritage。 The Ottomans pioneered religious toleration even as they used religious conversion to integrate conquered peoples。 But in the nineteenth century， they embraced exclusivity， leading to ethnic cleansing， genocide， and the empire’s demise after the First World War。  
 
The Ottomans vividly reveals the dynasty’s full history and its enduring impact on Europe and the world。 

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Reviews

Jarrett Bell ，

In "The Ottomans，" Marc David Baer effectively makes the case for treating Ottoman history as a pivotal part of European history--the good and the bad。 Baer shows how the view of the Ottomans as backward "others" misses key contributions and cross-cultural exchanges， including to science， culture， and religious toleration。 As a big tent empire like the Austro-Hungarians， the Ottoman Empire survived through religious toleration， even if Islam was the preferred religion and conversion a method for In "The Ottomans，" Marc David Baer effectively makes the case for treating Ottoman history as a pivotal part of European history--the good and the bad。 Baer shows how the view of the Ottomans as backward "others" misses key contributions and cross-cultural exchanges， including to science， culture， and religious toleration。 As a big tent empire like the Austro-Hungarians， the Ottoman Empire survived through religious toleration， even if Islam was the preferred religion and conversion a method for advancement within Ottoman society。 Like Europe， this careful entente between religions broke down with the rise of nationalism in the 19th and 20th centuries， resulting in the Armenian genocide， the expulsion of Greeks， and the breakup of the Ottoman Empire。 The view of the Ottomans as distinct from Europe also misses key similarities and influences， including the role of the military in building state capacity and the adoption of an imperial mindset in the 19th and 20th centuries （treating Arabs and Kurds as lesser， e。g。）。 。。。more

Emily ，

Great， informative book。 I'm very behind Baer's insistence that the Ottomans should be considered part of Europe。 I do think his insistence got a little repetitive and some of the proof he used could also be applied to many other cultures。 Great， informative book。 I'm very behind Baer's insistence that the Ottomans should be considered part of Europe。 I do think his insistence got a little repetitive and some of the proof he used could also be applied to many other cultures。 。。。more

Aj Ar。 ，

It fluctuated in its interest for me， some chapters didn't provoke much， while others were absolutely fascinating。 At times I felt the author's misunderstanding and low-key bias towards some elements of Islam， but at others I felt he was being fair and justified。 You would think I would rate it lower， but considering the expansive knowledge it required and the informative sub-topics the author I presented and how much I took from them， I felt like I would be unfair to give anything below 4-stars It fluctuated in its interest for me， some chapters didn't provoke much， while others were absolutely fascinating。 At times I felt the author's misunderstanding and low-key bias towards some elements of Islam， but at others I felt he was being fair and justified。 You would think I would rate it lower， but considering the expansive knowledge it required and the informative sub-topics the author I presented and how much I took from them， I felt like I would be unfair to give anything below 4-stars。 I just hope that when it comes to Islamic Hadith and jurisdiction over the treatment of non-Muslims and their rights they would do further research clear of any prejudice to truly know the tolerant and much more advanced set of said rights within the faith。 。。。more

Kent ，

A thorough history， this title caught my eye as I browsed the library stacks。 I have long wondered about the origins of the Ottomans and Baer's work filled in all the gaps for me。 This is a thick and encompassing coverage that gets somewhat mired in detail at times。 A thorough history， this title caught my eye as I browsed the library stacks。 I have long wondered about the origins of the Ottomans and Baer's work filled in all the gaps for me。 This is a thick and encompassing coverage that gets somewhat mired in detail at times。 。。。more

Emily ，

An excellent book that reminds us how empires rise and fall。

Jonathan Bein ，

The history is fascinating and the book filled in vast gaps of my knowledge of the Ottomans as an important force in the late middle ages through WWI， but the book is poorly written and a bit of a struggle to get through。 The acknowledgements thank many people who helped with the manuscript， but one can't help but think that one more competent editor might have made all the difference。 The history is fascinating and the book filled in vast gaps of my knowledge of the Ottomans as an important force in the late middle ages through WWI， but the book is poorly written and a bit of a struggle to get through。 The acknowledgements thank many people who helped with the manuscript， but one can't help but think that one more competent editor might have made all the difference。 。。。more

Richard Smith ，

The core argument of this book is that the Ottomans were as much part of European history as of Asian history。 I was convinced， and I'm planning a blog explaining why。 The core argument of this book is that the Ottomans were as much part of European history as of Asian history。 I was convinced， and I'm planning a blog explaining why。 。。。more

Anne ，

I enjoyed this although it isn’t an easy read。 It took a while and I had to go back a few times but the book is an excellent reassessment of the Ottomans and their place in world history。 I had only a vague understanding of Ottoman achievement and I now feel I could read more and fully grasp their significance。 Mr Baer is an academic and the writing - and sentence length - reflects this but the book is accessible with a bit of effort and that’s no bad thing。In a world where we are often patronis I enjoyed this although it isn’t an easy read。 It took a while and I had to go back a few times but the book is an excellent reassessment of the Ottomans and their place in world history。 I had only a vague understanding of Ottoman achievement and I now feel I could read more and fully grasp their significance。 Mr Baer is an academic and the writing - and sentence length - reflects this but the book is accessible with a bit of effort and that’s no bad thing。In a world where we are often patronised and every television programme does a recap after the adverts， I enjoyed the challenge of sitting down with a good book and working through its depths。 There is a lot packed into this and I will be doing further reading and research into the Empire and the times described。I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley 。。。more

Phillip ，

4。5 / 5。0Very informative and readable with nice balance of narrative and detail。 Confusing emphasis on man/boy sexual relations as normal practice。

Daniel ，

Interesting but a bit dry in places。

Hasan ，

This might've been the best book that I've read all year。 I've known its and bits about various Ottoman rulers and about the Empire in general but I didn't know much about them as a whole。 This book breaks down the entire Ottoman Empire from start to finish。 Worth a read if you're interested in learning about the entire Empire。 This might've been the best book that I've read all year。 I've known its and bits about various Ottoman rulers and about the Empire in general but I didn't know much about them as a whole。 This book breaks down the entire Ottoman Empire from start to finish。 Worth a read if you're interested in learning about the entire Empire。 。。。more

Steve Moran ，

Good book with plenty of detail about the entire time of the Ottoman dynasties。 The author is attempting to link the Ottomans to European history as opposed to Oriental history。 He makes some excellent arguments， especially linking them into the Renaissance and thereafter。 He is less successful as time goes on but all in all， a decent argument。 He is somewhat biased， of course， in favor of the Ottomans but does not hold back as the movement towards becoming Turks as opposed to Ottomans。 Very str Good book with plenty of detail about the entire time of the Ottoman dynasties。 The author is attempting to link the Ottomans to European history as opposed to Oriental history。 He makes some excellent arguments， especially linking them into the Renaissance and thereafter。 He is less successful as time goes on but all in all， a decent argument。 He is somewhat biased， of course， in favor of the Ottomans but does not hold back as the movement towards becoming Turks as opposed to Ottomans。 Very straight forward with regards to the Armenian genocide。 I learned some things about it that I had not known before。 Highly recommend！ 。。。more

Becca Younk ，

I like listening to history books on audio because it's very similar to a podcast。 Even though I am sadly unfamiliar with the names in this book， I found it easy to follow and easy to keep people apart。 Some of the political intrigue and battles I had trouble paying attention though。 Was super interested in the explanation of the culture and society of the Ottoman Empire though。 I like listening to history books on audio because it's very similar to a podcast。 Even though I am sadly unfamiliar with the names in this book， I found it easy to follow and easy to keep people apart。 Some of the political intrigue and battles I had trouble paying attention though。 Was super interested in the explanation of the culture and society of the Ottoman Empire though。 。。。more

Dimitar Ivanov ，

Great book。 As a person born， raised and educated in one of the countries conquered by the Ottomans， this book was a mind opening。 Most of the Southeast European countries learn the history only from their point of view and this is the view about the "bad and evil" Ottomans and Turks。 The coin has another side though。 I wish more people from Bulgaria， Greece， Serbia and so on could read this amazing book。 I like the narrative and the whole structure。 No boring facts。 A lot of information that is Great book。 As a person born， raised and educated in one of the countries conquered by the Ottomans， this book was a mind opening。 Most of the Southeast European countries learn the history only from their point of view and this is the view about the "bad and evil" Ottomans and Turks。 The coin has another side though。 I wish more people from Bulgaria， Greece， Serbia and so on could read this amazing book。 I like the narrative and the whole structure。 No boring facts。 A lot of information that isn't taught in schools and it would never be， unfortunately。 。。。more

Nss2108 ，

This book was indeed very readable， and I think does a good job getting at the panorama of Ottoman history。 The different ideological subcurrents also came through well， and Baer did a good job of threading things back together。 The role the Sabbateans played in the Young Turk revolution is I think something that I did not know， and did not expect to find， and will haunt me。 I also was deeply interested in the post-strong Sultan political system， where various groups of janissaries and functiona This book was indeed very readable， and I think does a good job getting at the panorama of Ottoman history。 The different ideological subcurrents also came through well， and Baer did a good job of threading things back together。 The role the Sabbateans played in the Young Turk revolution is I think something that I did not know， and did not expect to find， and will haunt me。 I also was deeply interested in the post-strong Sultan political system， where various groups of janissaries and functionaries essentially held veto power over the ruling family。 I think the book's central thesis， that the Ottomans were a European power and should be seen in a European context is both correct and also more banal than it seems--sometimes this piece of the argument works really well and fits （especially situating the transition to this more popular if you will political system）， sometimes not as well （eg the bits on the Reformation）， but the historical work of the book is better for at least seeing how well the argument works。 。。。more

Jesse Cuthbert ，

Spanning the Empire’s rise to its demise at the end of the First World War， The Ottomans tells the story of the eponymous empire that defined much of European and Middle Eastern history。 Exploring how the empire’s culture and religion helped build it into a dominate force， the writing found an interesting way of exploring history。 I enjoy history books that don’t fall into the trap of jargon and academic style writing， instead staying accessible and engaging。 This book does that perfectly。

Evan ，

This is definitely the most accessible and best-written overview of the Ottomans that I've read。 While it strikes this （prude， Victorian） reader as a bit heavy on its praise and/or contextualization of the widespread early-modern love of pederasty， it offers many refreshing and eye-opening insights into the empire and its centrality to European history。 The opening chapters on the establishment of the empire are particularly good， as is the one on "Ottoman Orientalism" in the 19th century。 Overa This is definitely the most accessible and best-written overview of the Ottomans that I've read。 While it strikes this （prude， Victorian） reader as a bit heavy on its praise and/or contextualization of the widespread early-modern love of pederasty， it offers many refreshing and eye-opening insights into the empire and its centrality to European history。 The opening chapters on the establishment of the empire are particularly good， as is the one on "Ottoman Orientalism" in the 19th century。 Overall， an excellent addition to the canon， and the most enjoyable to read。 。。。more

Paul ，

The Ottoman Empire controlled a large part of Southeast Europe， Western Asia， and Northern Africa between the 14th and early 20th centuries。 It crushed the Byzantine Empire and after it won in the Balkans it became a genuine transcontinental empire。 It has been perceived in history as being the Islamic foe of Christian Europe， but the reality was utterly different， it was a multiethnic， multilingual， and multireligious society that accepted people from everywhere。They were keen on converting peo The Ottoman Empire controlled a large part of Southeast Europe， Western Asia， and Northern Africa between the 14th and early 20th centuries。 It crushed the Byzantine Empire and after it won in the Balkans it became a genuine transcontinental empire。 It has been perceived in history as being the Islamic foe of Christian Europe， but the reality was utterly different， it was a multiethnic， multilingual， and multireligious society that accepted people from everywhere。They were keen on converting people to Islam， but this was not a prerequisite to being a member of this society。 Jews that were fleeing European persecution found a home here and could even rise high in the elite service of the sultans。 In fact， the tolerance and acceptance of a whole variety of peoples became its strength over the greater part of its history。The book follows both the political leaders of the empire over the six centuries of rule。 The way that each new sultan would put to death brothers and cousins to ensure that they had no threat to their leadership was shocking reading。 For me， I found， the descriptions of the way that the society worked and the cultural aspects much more interesting reading。To say there is a lot to take in in this book is an understatement。 Baer covers the 600 years of the ebb and flow of the history of this empire in a remarkably readable book。 It has a strong narrative and only occasionally descends into detailed academic prose about very specific or particular events。 It also shows that Ottoman history is unequivocally European history too。 。。。more

Mark Mills ，

The thematic chapters are stronger than the narrative ones， which can be a bit confusing and repetitive。 That said it's worth reading just for the throughly convincing argument that the Ottoman Empire was a European power and that European history during its existence is only comprehensible if one considers its role。 The thematic chapters are stronger than the narrative ones， which can be a bit confusing and repetitive。 That said it's worth reading just for the throughly convincing argument that the Ottoman Empire was a European power and that European history during its existence is only comprehensible if one considers its role。 。。。more

Katie ，

The Ottomans is a massively comprehensive history of the empire from start to finish。 It's so comprehensive that I struggled to stay focused on it for long periods of reading。 It would be great for a class or an academic， but it's probably too much for the common interested layperson such as myself。 That said， it was still an interesting read when I was able to stay focused on it。 Baer doesn't try to excuse or biasedly villify the Ottomans。 Baer tells it like it is （or was）。 Some of that can mak The Ottomans is a massively comprehensive history of the empire from start to finish。 It's so comprehensive that I struggled to stay focused on it for long periods of reading。 It would be great for a class or an academic， but it's probably too much for the common interested layperson such as myself。 That said， it was still an interesting read when I was able to stay focused on it。 Baer doesn't try to excuse or biasedly villify the Ottomans。 Baer tells it like it is （or was）。 Some of that can make for pretty uncomfortable reading given some of the interests and activities of the Ottoman culture that Baer emphasizes， but again， it's the history。I'd recommend The Ottomans to historians。 。。。more

Lee McKerracher ，

This is such a complex and intricate topic， hence a book of over 500 pages that could have easily accommodated 1，000。The Ottomans is a fascinating history of one of the world's most dominating empires and highlights the mistaken belief of the makeup of that empire。 The Ottoman empire was multi-ethnic， there were a plethora of languages and religions that they spread across Europe - they were the "new Romans"。Marc David Baer tracks this history over 1，000 years from the Turcomans right up to rece This is such a complex and intricate topic， hence a book of over 500 pages that could have easily accommodated 1，000。The Ottomans is a fascinating history of one of the world's most dominating empires and highlights the mistaken belief of the makeup of that empire。 The Ottoman empire was multi-ethnic， there were a plethora of languages and religions that they spread across Europe - they were the "new Romans"。Marc David Baer tracks this history over 1，000 years from the Turcomans right up to recent history that was embedded in ethnic cleansing， genocide and the end of the empire after World War I。I did find that I really had to concentrate on the text （not a book for a cosy afternoon read - you do need to pay attention） as there were so many Khans， Sultans， Caliphs etc to keep track of - it is a very intricate history。 It is informative and insightful but could easily get overwhelming in its detail if you don't focus on the content。 。。。more

Jordan Schneider ，

the "ottomans are european" stuff was a little overdone8。2/10 the "ottomans are european" stuff was a little overdone8。2/10 。。。more

Jacob Hood ，

Too much bias for my taste。

niste eroi fara societate ，

Just a useless high school aide memoire。

Tim Briedis ，

This was a great book。 I learnt a lot of fascinating things about the Ottoman Empire - for instance their policy of the Collection （where 1 in 40 children of Christian subjects where taken into slavery and raised as elite soldiers， Janissaries， or as administrators） and their use of fratricide upon succession in order to consolidate rule under 1 leader。 Despite these rather terrifying policies there were progressive elements to Ottoman rule， such as religious tolerance well before it was widespr This was a great book。 I learnt a lot of fascinating things about the Ottoman Empire - for instance their policy of the Collection （where 1 in 40 children of Christian subjects where taken into slavery and raised as elite soldiers， Janissaries， or as administrators） and their use of fratricide upon succession in order to consolidate rule under 1 leader。 Despite these rather terrifying policies there were progressive elements to Ottoman rule， such as religious tolerance well before it was widespread in Europe。 The history of Judaism within the empire was especially intriguing。The author argues well that Ottoman history should be situated within Europe， rather than just as an Asiatic other。 This helps reframe the broader history of Europe。 There is a compelling narrative history of Ottoman rulers throughout （especially on Mehmed 2， the conqueror of Constantinople and Suleiman 1） and the author does a good job of capturing a seven century history within 450 or so pages。 Perhaps it could have been more analytical at times - I wasn’t really sure for instance why the Ottomans declined from a powerhouse empire to the so-called ‘sick man of Europe’。 But overall this was an excellent read。 Would recommend。 。。。more

Ruth Harwood ，

Well written and fascinating， this follows the society of the Ottoman lands， which included many countries around the Mediterranean and included many of the Eastern European countries as well as middle eastern ones。 It's a surprise， honestly， how large this empire was and how far into Europe it stretched。 This was a truly multi-religious， multi-racial melting pot which was truly a part of European history。 Fascinating me mostly is the image our minds conjure up when we think of them， of 'other' Well written and fascinating， this follows the society of the Ottoman lands， which included many countries around the Mediterranean and included many of the Eastern European countries as well as middle eastern ones。 It's a surprise， honestly， how large this empire was and how far into Europe it stretched。 This was a truly multi-religious， multi-racial melting pot which was truly a part of European history。 Fascinating me mostly is the image our minds conjure up when we think of them， of 'other' and 'alien'， not of an Empire as European as Rome （many of whose lands it conquered and ruled） - to truly understand such an Empire， and to look with an unbiased eye， we need to put such assumptions down at the door。For anyone who wants to know more， and learn exactly how influential the Ottomans were on today's society， this book will help enlighten; to those merely wishing to know more about the world and it's history， this book will educate。 It definitely educated me！ 。。。more

Adam ，

To those who are not well-versed in Ottoman history， this comprehensive history， framed from the perspective of the Ottoman Empire as a European empire， functions as an erudite narrative in which the peoples， values and historical themes unfold throughout the telling。 Of specific interest are the rule of Suleiman I and the Armenian genocide。4 stars。 An excellent history。 Comprehensive and engaging。 Worth the effort。

John Klinkose ，

Good overview of the Ottoman Empire。 The author argues effectively that the Ottomans should be taught as part of European history。 Our Greek， Roman， Anglocentric histories are only part of the story。 I will have to read more as this book is too short to get much detail about any one period。 It's a good place to start。 Good overview of the Ottoman Empire。 The author argues effectively that the Ottomans should be taught as part of European history。 Our Greek， Roman， Anglocentric histories are only part of the story。 I will have to read more as this book is too short to get much detail about any one period。 It's a good place to start。 。。。more

Keith Good ，

A thorough history of the Ottoman Empire， told not as a separate strand from European History， but as it truly was: interwoven into the politics and development of Europe。

Sam ，

Excellent book。 Well worth reading especially for those like me who knew next to nothing about the Ottomans。 Very well written and clearly explained…。 You learn a lot and find yourself remembering as so interesting！

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=The Ottomans: Khans, Caesars and Caliphs

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=The Ottomans: Khans, Caesars and Caliphs&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,The Ottomans: Khans, Caesars and Caliphs&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0