Overview

The Sirens of Funagora is the true story of five hundred Ottoman sailors and the voyage they took from Constantinople to Yokohama in 1889 on the majestic but doomed frigate Ertugrul. Their mission: to build goodwill toward the Ottoman Empire in Muslim ports along the way, and to negotiate treaties with the Japanese emperor when they reached their destination. In addition to the first Ottoman diplomatic representative to Japan, the frigate had on board a poet, a musician, a photographer, and a secret agent who did his best to thwart the frigate's journey. Though it should have taken less than three months, human intrigue and natural hazards extended the voyage to almost one year. The frigate safely reached her destination, only to encounter a typhoon at the beginning of her return to Constantinople in the autumn of 1890. What ensued was the greatest naval disaster of the nineteenth century resulting in an unprecedented cultural exchange between the surviving Ottoman sailors and the Japanese villagers whose shores they washed up on. Part suspense, part odyssey, part historical narrative, Ertur's novel takes readers through this remarkable chapter in late-nineteenth century history through the eyes of the men who lived it. Readers will experience the thrilling highs and devastating lows of life on the high seas, and finish The Sirens of Funagora with a new appreciation for the caprice of history.

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9781500626853

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Omer Ertur was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey. He received his education in the United States. He was a professor of community and regional planning at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, and has lectured at various universities worldwide. As a planning and development professional, he worked with the United Nations and various international organizations, serving in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa. In addition to various academic publications, he has completed four historical novels: Farewell to Kosovo; A Prelude to Gallipoli; Bones in the Nile; and The Sirens of Funagora.

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