It is customary to picture the Ottoman sultans as military leaders wielding swords in battlefields and political leaders with resounding voices before statesmen. Thus, we mistakenly or correctly assume that their human aspects have been deliberately excluded from history books.

This widespread stereotype, portraying them as if they do not laugh, cry, rejoice, or grieve, has prompted the author Mustafa Armagan to highlight unknown aspects of their lives. He endeavored to change this common stereotype; they were not always stern and boring.

In 'The Secret History of the Ottomans,' Mustafa Armagan invites you to the private world of the sultans who ruled most of three continents. He includes in this book the hobbies, tendencies, professions, arts, behaviors, and peculiarities of the Ottoman sultans.

You'll find out what they loved, were passionate about, and excelled in creating, along with some 'principles and values' compiled in concise, intensive entries. As the curtain draws back, you’ll encounter figures that seem familiar, leading you on a silent journey through history.

Isn’t history itself a journey on the path of self-discovery?

This book reveals unknown sides of Ottoman sultans' lives, such as:
Which sultan never set foot in Istanbul during his reign?
Which sultan carved and sold seals, distributing the proceeds to the poor?
Who gifted his favorite horse to a Bulgarian outlaw?
Which sultan did not know his mother's name?
Which sultans founded sports clubs?
Do you know the sultan who carried the Prophet's footmark on his head?

Consequently, 'The Secret History of the Ottoman Empire' uncovers a visible face of an apparent history. It draws information from hundreds of reliable sources, showcasing astonishing aspects of the secret world of the palace, revealing the personal world of the sultans when all doors are closed, leaving them alone.