I have been increasingly interested in the Ottoman Empire and want to learn more. I was wondering if anyone on AskHistorians has any books that they recommend. I know this is very vague question, but any help is welcomed.
One aspect of the Ottoman Empire that I'm really interested in is how Islam influenced Constantinople after the turks conquered it. If you know of any books or articles that describe this change?
One of my assigned books in a Middle Eastern history course, The Modern Middle East: A History by James Gelvin, was really really good. Even though it covers a lot of time, the beginning focuses on the Ottoman Empire. It's truly a thoughtful and important book, and not too hard of a read.
http://www.ebay.com/ctg/Modern-Middle-East-History-James-L-Gelvin-2011-Paperback-/102848734
There's a few recs on the booklist. (link is in the sidebar)
I've just started re-reading 'Lords of the Horizons: A History of the Ottoman Empire' by Jason Goodwin, which I first read about 10 years ago. I'm finding it a fantasticly good read, it's beautifully written.
Does anyone have any comments on its historical accuracy or reliability?
(Jason Goodwin also writes detective fiction set in Istanbul in the 1830s, which I've found hugely interesting and entertaining. Does anyone have any comments on his depictions of life in the Ottoman Empire? Mods - if this is unacceptable please delete, and accept my apologies.)
OK, the recs aren't that good (I had sent some earlier, but didn't have time to format it, so I assume that's why they aren't there), I would rather suggest these books:
For a basic history from the beginnings up until the end of the Classical period, I suggest Colin Imber's The Ottoman Empire, 1300-1650 (Palgrave-McMillan, 2009). It's a great introduction. A much easier read is Caroline Finkel's Osman's Dream, but she romanticizes some parts of the history and in general is deeply pro-Turkish. If you have to read just one book, read Imber.
I think more specific questions should come afterwards, but I'd be happy to help with that. The field of Ottoman history is huge. :)
As for the conquest of Constantinople, the standard book about it is Steven Runciman's The Fall of Constantinople, 1453. It's really a fantastic work, and covers some of the immediate aftermath of the conquest in a lot of details. The larger political scene you might find in the Imber book. I'd really be happy to recommend more, but I feel like it wouldn't make sense until you have a basic bearing in the material. :)