[MR] Two Books on Ottomans

[Groff, Garth (ggg9y)]

Noble Friends, especially any Turks among us,

The University of Virginia library has just received two book on the Ottoman Empire with some material extending back into our time period that might be of great use to anyone who portrays a character in that culture.

ACCOUNTING METHOD USED BY OTTOMANS FOR 500 YEARS: STAIRS (MERDIBAN METHOD) by Cemal Elitas (ISBN 9789758195152; our call # HF5616 .T9 O8613 2008). This might be esoteric, but it includes considerable discussion of commerce in the Ottoman Empire. Included is information of taxation, land tenure, economics, etc. Most of the book is in English, but there are some sections in Arabic script. This might provide great background for anyone who portrays an Ottoman merchant for government official.

ANIMALS AND PEOPLE IN THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE, edited by Suraiya Faroqhi (ISBN 9789756372432; our call # SF55 .T95 A55 2010). This work discusses various aspects of animals in the Ottoman Empire. Included is material on how animals were treated under Islamic law, as well as information on animal husbandry, and wild animals. Of particular interest are some 30 plates, many in brilliant color, which show people of various classes in their costumes. My favorite is what appears to be an Albanian butcher feeding his cats. The cats seem to have moustaches as regal as the man's.

You should be able to borrow either of these books via interlibrary loan through your local branch library.

Yours Aye,

Lord Mungo Napier, The Archer of Mallard Lodge
Read "The Tale of Mungo Napier":
http://people.virginia.edu/~ggg9y/napier1.html