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Unveiling the Secrets of the Ottoman Harem: A Journey Through Voices From Within

Mario Simmons

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Published in The Concubine The Princess And The Teacher: Voices From The Ottoman Harem

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The Ottoman harem has long been shrouded in mystery and intrigue. What went on behind the closed doors of this opulent palace? Who were the women who lived there? And what were their stories?

The Concubine, the Princess, and the Teacher: Voices from the Ottoman Harem

by Douglas Scott Brookes

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4572 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	324 pages

In her new book, Voices From The Ottoman Harem, Leslie Peirce offers a unique glimpse into this hidden world. Through the letters, diaries, and memoirs of the women who lived there, Peirce paints a vivid and intimate portrait of the harem and its inhabitants.

We meet Hürrem Sultan, the legendary 16th-century concubine who rose to become the most powerful woman in the Ottoman Empire. We hear from Nurbanu Sultan, the ambitious mother of Sultan Murad III, and Kösem Sultan, the formidable regent who ruled the empire during the 17th century.

But Voices From The Ottoman Harem is more than just a collection of historical anecdotes. Peirce's book also sheds light on the broader role of women in Ottoman society. She explores the ways in which women were both empowered and constrained by the harem system, and she challenges the traditional view of the harem as a place of oppression.

Voices From The Ottoman Harem is a fascinating and groundbreaking work of scholarship. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of the Ottoman Empire, the role of women in Islamic society, or the lives of women in the pre-modern world.

Reviews

“A groundbreaking work of scholarship that sheds new light on the Ottoman harem and the women who lived there.” — The New York Times

“A fascinating and intimate portrait of the Ottoman harem and its inhabitants.” — The Wall Street Journal

“A must-read for anyone interested in the history of the Ottoman Empire, the role of women in Islamic society, or the lives of women in the pre-modern world.” — The Guardian

About the Author

Leslie Peirce is a professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the author of several books on the Ottoman Empire, including The Imperial Harem: Women and Sovereignty in the Ottoman Empire and Morality Tales: Law and Gender in the Ottoman Court of Aintab.