Abdulhamid II is no doubt one of the most controversial Ottoman Sultans in history. A massive literature continues to florish about him and his policy of pan-Islamism. Sometimes permeated by biased and subjective approaches, this literature is increasingly deminated by more balanced and objective accounts depicting a more realistic image of the Sultan ed the developments of his reign.The present book represents a fine example of the latter group of studies. It contains a well-documented anlysis of the policies of Abdulhamid II, particularly pan-Islamism, with due regard to the international political environment and the intellectual movements surrounding the idea of Islamic unity and solidarity.
Abdulhamid II is no doubt one of the most controversial Ottoman Sultans in history. A massive literature continues to florish about him and his policy of pan-Islamism. Sometimes permeated by biased and subjective approaches, this literature is increasingly deminated by more balanced and objective accounts depicting a more realistic image of the Sultan ed the developments of his reign.The present book represents a fine example of the latter group of studies. It contains a well-documented anlysis of the policies of Abdulhamid II, particularly pan-Islamism, with due regard to the international political environment and the intellectual movements surrounding the idea of Islamic unity and solidarity.