Inside the Seraglio: Private Lives of the Sultans in Istanbul Paperback – 11 October 2016

Describing almost 5 centuries worth of Sultans is not easy. By way of disclaimer, the writer mentions 'this is not a history of the Ottoman Empire'. Although understandable, this is also the book's main weak point. Let me explain. The reality of the private lives of the Sultans is that very little real information is available, except perhaps on the latest Sultans. Rather than racking off the names of concubines and children of each Sultan, it would have been more interesting to expand on the public life of the Ottoman Empire, i.e. how it was doing vis-a-vis competing powers. This in fact had a large bearing on the Sultan's private lives, since in many cases lack of success in foreign wars led to Sultans being deposed / murdered / kalltgestelt by either ambitious family members or angry janissaries. It would also have been appropriate to at least attempt to explain why the Ottoman Empire was increasingly unsuccessful (albeit resilient), a fact that also profoundly impacted the private lives of Sultans. Their ever more Western lifestyle (e.g. stopping to kill their half-brothers but rather keeping them under lock and key, living in European-style palaces rather than in Topkapi,, failing to lead the army in person and even playing the piano) must have been a direct result of the loss of confidence in the simple warrior traditions of the early Ottoman Empire, caused by a series of lost wars.Still, an interesting book which is why I gave it four stars. Perhaps not as good as Freely's highly original work on the deposed would-be Sultan Jem, but certainly better than his Mehmet II book.

Beautifully written an immensely evocative this is a book that explains, informs and entertains. It will make you want to book your next trip to this most amazing of destinations.

This was a recommendation by the tour company before a trip to Turkey.. I ordered this as a used book since it was less expensive. Too my surprise, this book has never been read. There are no creases on the spine to show that it was even browsed. Very happy.

This fascinating book summarizes the court life of the Ottoman sultans in Istanbul. It begins with a few short passages on the founding of the dynasty in the 13th Century, but the most intriguing stories begin after the fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the Ottoman takeover of the city.John Freely writes in a clear and concise manner that makes what could be complex material simpler to read. And the characters, from the royal courtiers to the concubines to the sultans themselves are all portrayed with fascinating insight. The text is illustrated throughout by some beautiful prints and sketches as well.This is a great book about the inner workings of the court life of the Ottoman dynasty, and will likely whet the reader's appetite to do delve more deeply into the subject.

halfway through this book and cannot put it down.