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The Ottoman past

A candid examination
by
October 2025, no. 480

The Shortest History of Turkey by Benjamin C. Fortna

Black Inc., $27.99 pb, 256 pp

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The Ottoman past

A candid examination
by
October 2025, no. 480

Can a ‘shortest history’ of Turkey, including the expansive history of the Ottoman Empire, work? As well as covering imperial grandeur, it must address complex and sensitive issues such as the Kurdish conflict, the Armenian genocide, Islamism, slavery, and autocracy. Benjamin C. Fortna, a Middle Eastern historian, successfully combines sympathy and interest in Turkey with a candid examination, including of darker aspects of its past.

The Shortest History of Turkey

The Shortest History of Turkey

by Benjamin C. Fortna

Black Inc., $27.99 pb, 256 pp

Buy this book

ABR receives a commission on items purchased through this link. All ABR reviews are fully independent.

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