Marc David Baer is Professor of International History at the London School of Economics. He has published widely on Jewish and Islamic history, and is an expert on the Ottoman empire. His most recent work, The Ottomans: Khans, Caesars, and Caliphs, was shortlisted for the Wolfson History Prize.
Fascinating and essential, this excellent history is illuminating and important - a revelatory picture of both coexistence and conflict of Muslims and Jews over a thousand years, a story so little known and totally relevant to our world today -- Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of 'Jerusalem' and 'Young Stalin' A valuable and important study that offers powerful correctives to myths of perpetual antagonism and utopian coexistence across 1400 years of Jewish-Muslim relations -- Matthew Teller, author of NINE QUARTERS OF JERUSALEM Baer reveals a complex history of coexistence, conflict and exchange that continues to influence global politics today -- 'What to read in 2026' * Financial Times * A superb book that reminds us of the forgotten history of Jewish-Muslim collaborations, protections, alliances, and symbiosis going back thousands of years. The common beliefs and similar rituals of Jews and Muslims makes them kissing cousins. A timely and urgent reminder for our battle-scarred times -- Ziauddin Sardar, author of MECCA: THE SACRED CITY Praise for The Ottomans: A superb, gripping and refreshing new history - finely written and filled with fascinating characters and analysis -- Simon Sebag Montefiore Magnificent . . . [An] important and hugely readable book - a model of well-written, accessible scholarship -- William Dalrymple A book as sweeping, colourful, and rich in extraordinary characters as the empire which it describes -- Tom Holland A winning portrait of seven centuries of empire * Sunday Times *