Janissary: The White Slave

Ilhan Enver Ryustam. Janissary: The White Slave. -- Washington; Ukraina Inc. -- 2026. -- 549 p. Janissary: The White Slave challenges conventional narratives about Turkish, Ottoman, and Balkan history by exploring the legacy of the Janissaries-Christian boys taken through the Ottoman devshirme system and transformed into elite soldiers of the empire. Blending historical interpretation with personal reflection, I argue that this overlooked chapter of history has left a lasting impact on identity, culture, and society across Turkey and the Balkans. In Turkey in large numbers we descend from European slaves. Yet for most of us this topic is foreign. The book examines themes of slavery, religion, nationalism, trauma, and historical memory while questioning widely accepted views surrounding the Ottoman Empire, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and the formation of modern Turkey. Drawing connections between historical events and present-day cultural patterns, I present my own perspective on how centuries of conquest and forced assimilation continue to shape individuals and societies today. Part historical study, part personal journey, part philosophical and psychological exploration, Janissary: The White Slave invites readers to reconsider the past from an unconventional viewpoint. Whether readers agree or disagree with its conclusions, the book aims to provoke discussion about history, identity, freedom, and the importance of confronting difficult chapters of the past in the search for truth and reconciliation.