"The Ottoman Empire is the last universal, international, and world-embracing empire in the true sense of history," declares İlber Ortaylı. In The Last Empire: The Ottoman Legacy, the sequel to his acclaimed Rediscovering the Ottomans, Ortaylı invites readers to a deeper exploration of the "Sublime State" (Devlet-i Âliyye) and its enduring impact on global civilization.

Ortaylı argues that understanding Ottoman identity is a complex task that requires an examination of the world’s most foundational civilizations. By exploring the empire's unique administrative structure, its sophisticated diplomatic relations, and its pluralistic approach to different cultures and religions, readers can begin to grasp the specific identity that allowed it to thrive for centuries as one of the three historic empires of the Mediterranean basin. As we research and read more about the Ottomans, Ortaylı suggests, we not only learn about our past but also gain a deeper appreciation for our own history.

Shedding light on historical developments from the past to the future, this work meticulously examines the traces left by history. It takes the reader on a captivating journey through the Ottoman world—its institutions, its worldviews, and its singular character. The Last Empire aims to open new horizons for the reader, offering a fresh and scholarly perspective on the legacy of the final great universal empire.