The Ottoman Empire

By: Kenneth W. Harl, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Kenneth W. Harl

By understanding the dramatic story of the Ottoman Empire - from its early years as a collection of raiders and conquerors to its undeniable power in the 15th and 16th centuries to its catastrophic collapse in the wreckage of the First World War - one can better grasp the current complexities of the Middle East.

Over the course of these 36 enlightening lectures, investigate over 600 years of history that covers the nature of Ottoman identity, the achievements of the Sultan's court, and stories of confrontation and cooperation with the West.

Befitting a story of such epic scope and grandeur, every lecture is a treasure trove of historical insights into the people, events, themes, and locales responsible for shaping the story of this often-overlooked empire. You'll cover everything from Rumi, the whirling dervishes, and the importance of the sultan's grand viziers to the wars of Sultan Suleiman I, the shadowy politics of the Committee of Union and Progress, and the birth of the Turkish Republic under Kemal Atatürk.

Welcome to a fascinating story of the triumph and tragedy, war and peace, intellectual progress and civil insurrection of a great empire that, for all its glory and grandeur, has left an important legacy that will shape the future of the Balkan nation-states, the Turkish Republic, and the Arab world - and those of us in the West as well.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2017 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2017 The Great Courses

A+ Course by an A+ Professor

Harl is one the greatest professors with the Great Courses. I enjoyed every second of this largely unexplored area of world history.

Great treatment of vast subject matter

Really enjoyed the narrator. This is a long series of lectures - took several weeks for me to finish. However, I enjoyed all the time spent. Really enhanced my understanding of an important part of the world.

Terrible pronunciations

It was interesting. A little derogatory language toward central Turks. Terrible terrible pronunciations. I don’t understand even the most basic terms that scholars try to pronounce properly like Iran not I-ran was pronounced with such laziness. How is this scholar married to a Turk and allowed to pronounce names and cities like this. I had to work very hard not to laugh every time he said a word. Please scholars at least try to pronounce the names a little bit like the culture you’ve spent your life studying. I guess I should be happy that it isn’t islamophobic and colonial. So there is that.

this is exactly like a college course, excellent

I am no great lover of the Ottoman Empire, in fact I am Greek and actively dislike it for various reasons, including genocide. with that said Dr Harl delivers excellent content well researched and well thought out and manages to do so in an entertaining manner.

Great read.

Amazing account of one of the most remarkable empires. Enjoyed every chapter and would listen to it again.