In 1716, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu’s husband Edward Montagu was appointed British ambassador to the Sublime Porte of the Ottoman Empire. Montagu accompanied her husband to Turkey and wrote an extraordinary series of letters that recorded her experiences as a traveller and her impressions of Ottoman culture and society. This Broadview edition includes a broad selection of related historical documents on Turkey, women in the Arab world, Islam, and “Oriental” tales written in Europe.

The observations of a 16th-century Habsburg ambassador to Constantinople.

Immensely learned, self-educated in an era when formal schooling was denied to women, Mary Wortley Montagu was an admired poet, a consistently scandalous doyenne of eighteenth-century London society, and, in a period when letter-writing had been elevated to an art form, one of the greatest letter writers in the English language. Her epistles, meant for both public and private consumption, are the product of a mind distinguished by its adventurousness, its indifference to convention, and its eagerness not only to acquire knowledge but to convey it with unmitigated style and grace. (Book Jacket Status: Not Jacketed)

Kids will gobble up some fun facts about Turkey Day with this amazing tale of courage and faith. Celebrating a bountiful harvest and eating delicious food skim the surface of what the Thanksgiving holiday truly means. It’s Not About You, Mrs. Turkey is a unique tool for parents, grandparents, and teachers to share both the historical and religious background of the holiday with young readers. The fun and colorful illustrations give children the opportunity to see clothing styles of the past as they learn the importance of courage, sharing, friendship, and giving thanks. “Do your kids believe Thanksgiving is only about dinner? Then you need this book to share both the historical and religious background of Thanksgiving with your kids!” —Homeschool Preschool, “9 Terrific Turkey Books for Preschool” “I am always in favor of literature that points children away from commercialized holidays and teaches the true meaning of why we celebrate a holiday. Author Soraya Coffelt has done exactly that in It’s Not About You, Mrs. Turkey. In a loving and factual way, she lays out the true meaning of Thanksgiving and Christianity’s significance.” —Christian Children’s Book Review “A wonderful history lesson in the form of a young children’s book.” —Our Big Happy Family Blog

*Also look out for Lucy Foley’s Sunday Times bestselling crime debut, THE HUNTING PARTY, available to buy now.* ‘This will sweep you away for the summer. Lucy Foley blends a rich history, haunting secrets and a timeless love story’ Santa Montefiore, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Deverill series

Yes, I Would... comprises a series of imaginary letters written to Lady Mary Montagu, whose famous Embassy Letters were written in 1716-1718 during her stay in Turkey as the wife of the English ambassador. The author uses themes dear to Lady Mary, such as culture, art, religion, women and daily life, to reflect on those same topics as encountered during the author's past 30 years of travel in Turkey.