Narrative of Travels in Europe, Asia, and Africa, in the Seventeenth Century, Vol. I

"Narrative of Travels in Europe, Asia, and Africa, in the Seventeenth Century" by Evliya Çelebi, is a captivating record of one man’s forty-year journey across the Ottoman Empire and beyond, giving us a glimpse into 17th-century life through his eyes. The book starts with the author sharing the dream that sparked his wanderlust, setting off a journey of exploration through Constantinople and far beyond. Throughout, there are amazing descriptions of different cultures, lands, and important moments in history as seen by someone from the Ottoman Empire. Evliya’s travels, filled with old-world charm and religious meaning, reflect the times and show how exploration helped form both personal and shared identities.