"Imagine an entire people traversing thousands of kilometers within three centuries... How could this not change the world? This is exactly how the Turks changed the world," reflects İlber Ortaylı. "For this reason, we do not need to invent an imaginary history and fictional heroes; we only need to learn the truth."

In The Saga of the Turks: From the Steppes to the Empire 1, Ortaylı traces the awe-inspiring journey of a nomadic people who migrated from the vast steppes of Central Asia to forge some of the most powerful civilizations in the Middle East. The narrative dives deep into the fiercely debated origins of the Turks, exploring how they Turkified Anatolia and exactly when and why the geography came to be known as "Turkey." Through a sweeping account of monumental victories, strategic retreats, and agonizing territorial losses, Ortaylı details the profound cultural and political foundations these tribes built as they transformed the region.

Spanning the pivotal 400 years from the Battle of Manzikert to the conquest of Bosnia, this book is not merely a history of Turkic branches like the Oghuz, Kipchaks, Pechenegs, Seljuks, and early Ottomans. It is a grand exploration of their massive impact on neighboring civilizations, including the Russians, Mamluks, Safavids, Chinese, Indians, and Arabs. Serving as a vital bridge between Eastern and Western cultures, this captivating first volume is an essential bedside companion for readers of all ages who wish to discover the true, unvarnished place of the Turks in world history.