Carter V. Findley, *Dreams of Empire: A History of the Ottomans*. New York: Oxford University Press, 2026.

The Ottoman Empire was one of the most dominant empires in the annals of history, governing territories across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa for more than six hundred years. At its peak during the sixteenth century, it was unrivaled in military strength, financial stability, centralized authority, and effective governance when compared to any competing power. For centuries, the sultans were acknowledged as the most influential and esteemed "defenders of Islam." In a notable contrast to the Christian powers of Europe, this Islamic empire embraced a rich diversity of religious beliefs. This examination encompasses the realms of politics, warfare, economics, society, culture, and religion, revealing how the Ottoman state evolved from a small principality in the northwestern part of Anatolia (the Asian section of present-day Turkey) into a vast world empire that extended from Hungary to Iraq and Algeria. After enduring centuries of hardship, it experienced a revival, and ultimately—though reduced in size and challenged by separatist nationalism in the Balkans and European imperialism in Asia and North Africa—it witnessed a remarkable resurgence of reformist energy aimed at preserving its existence. This reformist spirit enabled the Turkish people to survive the brink of destruction during World War I and to rise again as the independent Turkish Republic. In addition to exploring the state's crucial role in upholding the empire, Carter Findley highlights the extraordinarily diverse communities that thrived within its expansive borders, including nomadic tribes, settled agricultural populations, and a variety of religious groups, encompassing Muslims, Christians, and Jews. The pages are filled with charismatic Sufis, Islamic warriors, merchants in Cairo, enthusiastic travelers, a would-be Jewish messiah, revolutionaries, and pioneering women novelists.This study adeptly merges extensive academic research, primary documents, maps, and a multitude of illustrations in both color and monochrome, effectively illuminating the important themes and the human experiences of the women and men whose actions—both commendable and flawed—were vital in forming the illustrious history of this enduring, cosmopolitan empire.