The Sultans

If you enjoy history books scholarly and serious, but with a bit of "spiciness", you will enjoy this great book about the decline of the mighty Ottoman empire and it's outlandish rulers. Similar books would be Michael Farquhar's "Treasury of Royal Scandals" and Suetonius' "Twelve Caesars"

The Ottoman Empire was a tremendous influence on many of the things we take for granted in the Western World, bringing with it strange concepts such as hygiene and an appreciation of the finer things in life.This book gives a well written and entertaining overview of the rulers of this massive empire, from its earliest days to its eventual demise. Along the way we meet many of its rulers and marvel at their cruelty and compassion, great leadership and debauchery. Its a great story, one never dreamt of in fiction, and one well worth reading.