The book 'The Green Flag Praises the Crescent' is dedicated to the history of the Ottoman Empire, which dominated the Mediterranean region from 1299 to 1922. ^[1] At its peak, the empire controlled over 5 million square kilometers, including Anatolia, the Middle East, parts of North Africa, the Balkans, and the Caucasus. ^[2] The book will be available at newsstands starting Wednesday, September 2, 2026, priced at 43 lei. ^[3] The Ottoman Empire evolved from a small Sunni Islamic state founded by Oghuz Turks in northwestern Anatolia to a multinational, multilingual, and multicultural empire. ^[4] The origins of Turkish baths date back to the 14th century during the Ottoman Empire's reign, inspired by Roman practices and Islamic traditions for cleansing before prayer. ^[5] A Turkish bath features small rooms of dry heat rather than saunas, followed by relaxation in a larger communal pool usually built of marble with tall ceilings and skylights. ^[6] Visitors are advised to bring flip flops, a fresh change of clothes, and their own toiletries, as wearing a bathing suit is acceptable if one is uncomfortable with disposable underwear. ^[7]