From the ancient Greek, Roman, Persian, and Byzantine eras to the Ottoman Empire to the present day, the Bosphorus strait is a storied and scenic region of Turkey. As the crossroads of the country’s European and Asian subsections, it is home to rich culture, incredible people, delicious food, unique architecture, and unmistakable style. Countless creatives have been awed and inspired here, including Tommy Hilfiger, Christian Louboutin, Nicky Haslam, and Cher. Turkish denizens and visitors alike are thrilled by the skyline, a breathtaking view of calming waters and magnificent bridges. But some of the best places to discover the style of the Bosphorus are within the private homes of its welcoming residents, who are always gracious and ready to entertain, and who know just the right balance of old and new to both pay homage to their country’s glorious past and herald its future. These vibrant personalities each have a story to tell, something that tethers them to this enchanted slice of the world. Bosphorus Private, showcasing twenty homes, is the melding of two continents, countless creative influences, and millennia of history.

DIVComparative study of 19th-century representations of Ottoman harems that considers both the tradition of British paintings and writings about harems as well as the perspectives of Ottoman women who commissioned their own harem portraits./div

Brothers bound by blood but fated to be enemies. Can their Empire survive or will it crumble into myth? Istanbul, 1903. Since his younger brother usurped the Imperial throne, Sultan Murad V has been imprisoned with his family for nearly thirty years. The new century heralds immense change. Anarchy and revolution threaten the established order. Powerful enemies plot the fall of the once mighty Ottoman Empire. Only death will bring freedom to the enlightened former sultan. But the waters of the Bosphorus run deep: assassins lurk in shadows, intrigue abounds, and scandal in the family threatens to bring destruction of all that he holds dear… For over six hundred years the history of the Turks and their vast and powerful Empire has been inextricably linked to the Ottoman dynasty. Can this extraordinary family, and the Empire they built, survive into the new century? Set against the magnificent backdrop of Imperial Istanbul, The Gilded Cage on the Bosphorus is a spellbinding tale of love, duty and sacrifice. Evocative and utterly beguiling, The Gilded Cage on the Bosphorus is perfect for fans of Colin Falconer, Kate Morton and Philippa Gregory. "A richly woven carpet of a book." Historical Novel Society "With intelligence and sensitivity, Ayşe recreates the dramatic story of our family." Kenize Mourad, author of the international best-seller Regards from the Dead Princess