Dünyaya Hükmeden Sultan: Kanuni

I’ve been following Talha Uğurluel on his YouTube channel and social media. His YouTube videos are informative, and I had no reason to doubt that his book would be the same way. Just like his videos and social media content, his book is also a great source of information mixed with travelogue.

Dünyaya Hükmeden Sultan Kanuni focuses on one of the greatest Ottoman sultans, Kanuni Sultan Süleyman, and significant figures around him, such as Hürrem Sultan and İbrahim Pasha. Talha Uğurluel offers vivid insights into the geopolitical challenges of the period and explains how Kanuni navigated them. The book blends historical facts with engaging storytelling and includes photographs and visuals that help bring the era to life.

What strikes me most is that the author’s mission in writing these books is to challenge the false information we have been fed about our history, shaped by the political agendas of some domestic groups and foreign powers. For example, Hürrem Sultan is portrayed very differently in this book compared to how we were taught in school or saw in TV shows like Muhteşem Yüzyıl. The author recognizes that while producing popular media can be a powerful tool for cultural influence, it can also spread misinformation. I won’t share specific details here because I believe reading the book directly is far better than me paraphrasing it.

He also worries that, as Turkish people, we do not show our history the respect and appreciation it deserves. One example the author gives is the caravanserai built by Kanuni’s mother, Hafsa Sultan, in Marmaris. It is one of the few structures still standing in modern times, but instead of being restored and preserved, it is currently used as a bar called “Sultan Bar.” Through his books, he challenges these practices and hopes to make a difference by raising awareness about the importance of protecting our historical heritage.

Those who have been living in Turkey for the past fifty years and are somewhat in touch with domestic politics and the geopolitics of the region will probably chuckle at how similar the relationships between the Ottoman Empire and its western and eastern neighbors were to those we see today. In many ways, nothing has changed—what has changed is how we react to it. This strongly reinforces the saying that “those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

I’d also like to add that if your first language is Turkish, this book is a great way to improve your vocabulary and learn some old Turkish words and phrases. However, if Turkish is your second language, the book might be a bit challenging to understand or could take some time to digest, since it occasionally includes words and expressions that even native Turkish speakers might find difficult.

Some negative points about the book are as follows: certain chapters could have included more detail. I feel that this book provides great insights, but if you’re looking for a deeper dive into Ottoman history, it will only scratch the surface. In that case, I would recommend reading the works of Halil İnalcık, who offers a more in-depth and scholarly approach. That’s why, even though this is a great book, I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

The book was easy to read and well-structured. Reading it made me realize how many misconceptions we have surrounding our history. It will be a challenge for me to correct those misunderstandings, and if you’re looking to do the same, this book is a great starting point. It’s a valuable way to learn about one of the greatest sultans of the Ottoman Empire.