I get the feeling I might already be able to guess some of the answer, but I'd rather hear it from actual Turks.

One thing I've noticed over time from talking to my Turkish friends from high school and from a Turkish woman I met earlier this year is that Turks seem to compartmentalize anything from the Ottoman era as being done by "someone else." "That was the Ottoman Empire..."

Yes, it was effectively a different country, but wasn't it more or less the same "people?" By this I mean, weren't the Ottomans Turks?

To me, coming from a European/American perspective this is rather curious. Italians seem rather proud of their Roman forebearers (though perhaps the historical distance makes this easier). I was intrigued when I found out I was a rather distant descendant of a european Emperor (not Roman). I have a difficulty understanding why today's Turks seem to want to distance themselves from the Ottoman Empire.

Of course, the one counter-argument that I could come up with to all of that is that the single most popular name amongst Turkish guys I went to school with was Suleiman. I think I know who they were named after.

thats interesting that u say that because most of the ones who i have come accross seem to have the total opposite opinion....
tell me experts... what does that mean??

Yes, i also had the feeling that Turks are rather proud of their country.. i've been told most of them know the history of their country damn well..

Funny thing is, ive never felt the 'urge' to learn about dutch history, but i seem to feel that i wanna learn Turkish history.. does anyone suggest a simple book about history? I got one from my boyfriend, but it's very difficult to read.. i'd rather read something easy first and then read the difficult one. i havent got much time, so i prefer to learn by small and easy pieces Once i have more time, i'll conquer the big difficult stuff

Yes - I agree Miss C and Deli - most Turks I have met are proud to say they are "grandsons of Ottomans"

Ok, i understand you Looking forward to hear a smart answer from a smart.. ottoman? turk? anyone?

From a Turk, silly. I'm fairly certain all of the Ottomans are now deceased. OK, I'm not going to put a smiley on that one.

As a footnote, most folks here in the U.S. that aren't well-educated probably don't even know that there ever was an Ottoman Empire. When they hear "Ottoman," they think of a piece of furniture.

Our "global stupidity" over here isn't necessarily intentional, we're just geographically isolated. Americans tend to look down on Mexicans and think of Canadians as Americans that say "aboot" and enjoy hockey a bit too much.

Because we tend to not travel to other countries we also tend not to learn much about them. We are a very parochial people. I'm embarrassed to admit the only other country I've ever been to is Canada. And that's because I lived around 70 miles from the border. That's one more country than about 95% of Americans have been to.

I suppose the most I can say for myself is that I'm at least interested in learning about other countries. Hence my questions here.

i am a Turk! and i am proud of some what my ancestors did and some sad about the other things.. but ppl need to be fine with their past and this doesnt have to affect what they will do... and this doesnt affect their looking to humanbeings.. anyway if you wanna learn about Ottoman Empires there was a book with 5 volumes and it was the most objective one i met.. and i totally recommend you to read the Kemal Atatürks "NUTUK" to learn about near past...

if you want to read more about turkish history you should read the cresent and the star. i cannot remember who it ıs by, but it gives a great perspective on turkey without being very pro or very con turkry