The Bastard of Istanbul (Elif Shafak, 2006).

Finkel traces the empire from medieval times to modernity.

Osman's Dream: The History of the Ottoman Empire (Caroline Finkel, 2005).

This sequel to Atatürk showcases a portrait of Turkey's recent development. This handy guide to Turkish society and culture is comprehensive and beautifully illustrated. Mary Lee Settle recounts two visits to Turkey, 15 years apart.

Turkish Reflections (Mary Lee Settle, 1991).

This anthology compiles 29 personal stories from foreign women living in Turkey.

Tales from the Expat Harem (Anastasia M.

This history chronicles the life of the most celebrated of Ottoman sultans.

Suleiman the Magnificent (André Clot, 1992).

Norwich's history is a good way to learn about the rise and fall of Constantinople.

A Short History of Byzantium (John Julius Norwich, 1997).

The story of Byzantium is full of high drama and exciting adventure.

Sailing from Byzantium (Colin Wells, 2006).

Shah gives the mysterious 13th-century Sufi Mullah Nasrudin a voice by collecting stories told by other mystics.

The Pleasantries of the Incredible Mullah Nasrudin (Idries Shah, 1968).The famous Turkish satirist tells of his forced banishment to Bursa. Memoirs of an Exile (Aziz Nesin, 1957).Pamuk's portrait of Istanbul is also a portrait of his own life within the city. Istanbul: Memories and the City (Orhan Pamuk, 2005).Freely's book serves as both a brief history and a travel guide. Istanbul: The Imperial City (John Freely, 1996).A compilation of Sufi poetry introduces readers to the spirit of Islamic mysticism. The Drop That Became the Sea (Yunus Emre, 1999).Peterson describes the fascinating history and culture of Turkish cuisine and includes delicious recipes. Eat Smart in Turkey (Joan Peterson, 2004).Kinzer sheds light on Turkey's culture and reports on its fraught political landscape. Crescent & Star (Stephen Kinzer, 2001).This is the most comprehensive biography of Atatürk since Lord Kinross's 1967 Atatürk: A Biography of Mustafa Kemal. Atatürk: The Biography of the Founder of Modern Turkey (Andrew Mango, 1999).(And see our similar lists for elsewhere in Europe.) Books: Nonfiction To learn more about Turkey past and present, check out a few of these books and films. By Rick Steves, Lale Surmen Aran, and Tankut Aran

Crescent and Star by Stephen Kinzer