UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE'[Faroqhi] has produced here an impressive and thoughtful study of Ottoman social culture which is witnessed by her acknowledgement of the work of well-respected scholars, the inclusion of a chronology which usefully highlights relevant cultural events, and a superb bibliography of English, French, German and Turkish publications...a stimulating read.'-Jennifer M Scarce, University of DundeeINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TURKISH STUDIES'One of the most prolific of present-day Ottoman historians...her forte is her complete ease in using the Ottoman archives not only to capture and retell the stories buried in the records but also to weave some sense of the ordinary and extraordinary aspects of a distant empire into a story that is accessible to a literate audience.'-Virginia H. Askan, McMaster UniversityMESA BULLETIN'...interesting and erudite...stimulating...This book is highly suitable as a text for courses in Ottoman history or Middle Eastern cultural history. The prose is clear and accessible, and the presentation not overly complex or obscure. Its mixture of broad analysis and striking detail make it an attractive initiation for undergraduates into debates about Ottoman cultural history. Graduate students, too, would benefit from a close reading of the text, which is studded with off-hand questions and asides that could easily launch entire dissertations. Her command of the historical literature and ability to identify potential lines of research are truly impressive. For anyone seeking a well-informed overview of Ottoman cultural history, Faroqhi's book will stand out as a valuable guide.'-James Grehan, Portland State University