OTTOMAN EMPIRE
Books | Web Sites
For Teachers
A Foreshadowing of 21st Century Art: The Color and Geometry of Very Early Turkish Carpets by Christopher Alexander. (Oxford University Press, 1993)
This book explores an extraordinary collection of Turkish rugs and explains the significance of many of the designs.
Istanbul: The Imperial City by John Freely. (Penguin, 1998)
Describes the history of this vibrant city, from its foundation to the present.
Ottoman Centuries by Lord Kinross. (Harper Perennial, 1979)
This is a chronicle of the history of the Ottoman Empire, from its inception under Osman I to its decline after the exile of sultan Mehmed VI.
Suleiman the Magnificent: The Man, His Life, His Epoch by Andre Clot. (Saqi Books, 2004)
This book details Suleiman's campaign to extend the geographic boundaries of Islam.
The Turks in World History by Carter Vaughn Findley. (Oxford University Press, 2004)
This book explores the economic, social, and political history of the Turkish people, from two thousand years ago to the present.
Tribal and Village Rugs: The Definitive Guide to Traditional Patterns and Motifs by Peter F. Stone. (Thames & Hudson, 2004)
Through full-color images, this book explains the motifs, designs, and patterns in rugs from the Near East and Central Asia.
For Students
Nonfiction
Around the World in 1500 by Virginia Schomp. (Benchmark Books, 2004)
Introduces important events in Europe, Asia, and the Americas in 1500.
Mosque by David Macaulay. (Houghton Mifflin, 2004)
The construction of a fictional mosque circa 1595, modeled after the work of the Ottoman Empire architect Sinan, combines architectural details with insight into Islamic culture and religion.
Muhammad of Mecca: Prophet of Islam by Elsa Marston. (Franklin Watts, 2001)
Information about Muhammad, as well as basic information about Muslim beliefs and practices, makes this a good introduction to Islam.
Muhammad by Demi. (Margaret K. McElderry, 2003)
This book tells the story of Muhammad's life in words and pictures.
The Ottoman Empire by Lucile Davis. (Blackbirch Press, 2004)
Life During the Great Civilizations series. This overview of the Ottoman Empire provides information on families, homes, clothing, work and more.
The Ottoman Empire by Adriane Ruggiero. (Benchmark Books, 2003)
Cultures of the Past series. Offers detailed information about all aspects of the Ottoman Empire, including an in-depth description of the reign of Suleyman.
Süleyman the Magnificent and the Ottoman Empire by Miriam Greenblatt. (Benchmark Books, 2002)
Rulers and Their Times series. Provides information on Süleyman's military and personal triumphs and defeats, and the daily lives of his subjects.
The Ottomans: Süleyman
http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/OTTOMAN/SULEYMAN.HTM
Offers commentary on Süleyman as a leader, builder, lawgiver, and conqueror, as well as links to information about succeeding sultans.
Palace of Gold and Light: Treasures from the Topkapi, Istanbul
http://www.corcoran.org/exhibitions/previous_results.asp?Exhib_ID=33
The Corcoran Gallery of Art displays photographs of Ottoman treasures online.
Splendors of Topkapi, Palace of the Ottoman Sultans
http://smithsonianmag.si.edu/smithsonian/issues00/feb00/topkapi.html
A short article describes the palace and offers two photographs of its rooms.
Süleyman's Mosque
http://www.guideistanbul.net/suleyman.htm
A brief history of this famous mosque, as well as photographs of its interior and exterior.