Job Discussion Forums

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

I have recently re-read Andrew Mango`s biography of Ataturk and it just leaves me feeling that I have learned more from this book than I have from years in Turkey.

Any books about Turkey that you feel stongly about?

preston · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 107

I ploughed through Jason Goodman's history of the Ottoman Empire, 'Lords of the horizons' and learned how wonderful said Empire was and how well they treated their subjects. In amazing florid prose

alterego · Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 104

Crescent & Star by Stephen Kinzer is interesting.

preston · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 107

Especially when he swims across the Bosphorus

molly farquharson · Joined: 16 Jun 2004 Posts: 839 Location: istanbul

John Freely's books are great. He obviously loves the city very much.

the pusherman · Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Posts: 31 Location: istanbul

I'm in the middle of Kinross's biography of Ataturk and it's extremely interesting - haven't read Mango's though. There's also a book called 'A Fez of the Heart' (only bought it because of the title) which is rather good. I'm afraid I can't remember the author offhand

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

Ice Queen · Joined: 12 Mar 2005 Posts: 4 Location: Chicago

I am reading Andrew Mango's " The Turks Today" book, which I find fascinating. Steven Kinzer is also worth exploring. They both do an excellent job describing the continuity of history as well as socio economic and political circumstances that shape the current climate in Turkey. (There's a great chapter on education in Mango's work.) "The Western Shores of Turkey" by John Freely is a great book to read because it covers the cultural aspects of the country, stays away from politics and traces every place along the shores of the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts back to antiquity.

molly farquharson · Joined: 16 Jun 2004 Posts: 839 Location: istanbul

John Ash has also written some interesting books, sort of off the beaten path ones. He has travelled all over Turkey and knows it very well.

the pusherman · Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Posts: 31 Location: istanbul

Actually, think I found it in 'Nezih' or 'D&R' on Bagdat Caddesi

molly farquharson · Joined: 16 Jun 2004 Posts: 839 Location: istanbul

Pandora and Robinson Crusoe on Istiklal have lots of books in English, including most of the books mentioned here. There is also Linda's book exchange, near the Babylon.

calsimsek · Joined: 15 Jul 2004 Posts: 775 Location: Ist Turkey

Is there no book writen about Turkey in English writen by a Turk. Rather than Poms and Yanks. I know what we think. What do they think of their country. Nice to be able to compare thier take against that of the Andrew Mangos and Stephen Kinzers of the world.

preston · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 107

Orhan Pamuk's 'Istanbul' has just been translated into English and got a rave review in the Guardian the other day.

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

preston · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 107

Well he's hardly the most popular man in Turkey after his comments on the Kurds and the Armenian 'genocide'. Some people want to lynch him