An oversized hardback, this book is simultaneously an art book and a guide to Ottoman sites of historical interest in the city of Istanbul. It is more successful at the second than the first; while the photographs are abundant and well-reproduced, they are quite small and mostly distance views of architecturally significant buildings. The informative text has a level of detail appropriate for serious students of the city or Ottoman art and art history, in an accessible format. The overall effect is of a tour led by a guide with a deep knowledge of the city's artistic and political history. The author takes us from building to building, and within buildings, from room to room, mixing discussions of court history with details of ornamental style. The book is short on social history or cultural context, but contains a glossary of terms and a select bibliography. It will be of interest to general readers with a significant passion for its particular subject. Distributed by International Publishers Marketing (IPM). Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)