eafiu's review
4.0
I recommend this for anyone who wants to know more about arguably the most tumultuous era for the Ottoman dynasty's harem through a sociopolitical lens that takes into account axes other than simply gender. Caveat: Not for strictly chronological historical account. This book is more about how certain governmental bodies and traditions evolved according to the demands and circumstances of their time; not about giving a year by year guide for people who are unfamiliar with Ottoman history. You can still read it without knowing much about Ottoman history, but it would be very challenging to follow.
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