Turkey Unveiled: A History of Modern Tukey

This book is probably one of the best books to read about modern history of Turkey, which commonly starts from 1923, the establishment of Turkish Republic. Some date it back to 1908, the year the Constitution was reinstated for the second time and after when Committee of Union and Progress had been really dominant in Turkey's governance. Some might date it back to 1876, recognition of the First Constitution the by Ottoman Sultan, or to 1839, when Tanzimat Ferman was declared in Gulhane Park. Whatever it dates back to, Popes give some background on second half of the 19th century of Turkey, which lays the basics to understand the years of the new Turkish Republic. The authors distinguish mostly what the facts are and what their thoughts/critisisms are on certain important issues, and the book has a notes section in the end for each chapter, in which they explain more in detail. To compare, I didn't feel like they had penetrated well into the Turkish society as much as a Stephen Kinzer did, but felt like they followed the events and the media very well. Overall, this is a good work, and definitely worth reading for people who are interested in modern Turkish history.

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder as the saying goes. But if eyes can't see beauty is lost just the same. This book demands eyes of minds be unveiled to appreaciate the majesty of an honorable country and its people. To be sure British authors seem to have a knack to educate people--indeed Turks themselves--about the Turkish history and her culture. The Popes' book "Turkey Unveiled" is no exception to this trend. It reads as though it is a sequel to Lord Kinross's masterpiece "Ataturk". Each chapter begins with a short proverbial quotation by a Turkish politician, a storyteller, or a Turkish newspaper editorial. One such quote by Suleyman Demirel in particular seems to represent the entire Turkish politics since time immemorial: "You can take power with a bayonet. But you can't sit on it." Time and again Turkish politics have been wrought by the Turkish military, a double-edged sword of the implacable Kemalist ideology. Popes share with the reader the good, the bad, and the ugly side of Turkish politics since the early days of the Turkic tribes from Central Asia all the way to modern-day Turkey. There is greater attention paid to the latter. As any Turk would relate to the "melancholy, long-drawn-out ballads of their ancestors." So would he relate to "cartoon stories about the cowboy Lucky Luke"; strangely enough the Popes never mention "Lucky Luke" is known in Turkey as "Red Kit". They should add this footnote in the next edition. The book is witty, objective, and heavily supported by verifiable references. If you need to learn about Turkey, this is an excellent book. If you are a Turk, this book is a must.

This book is a good introduction to Turkey. I read it before going to Turkey for the 1st time. Was amazed how pertinent the information was to my trip. Great background on the politics of the country. Gave me a much better understanding of the people of Turkey before I met them for the 1st time. Found the book to be very accurate.

I have lived and worked in Turkey for 27 years. The work I was involved with, allowed me to meet all the Prime Ministers and Presidents of Turkey. The current President, Suleyman Demirel, was a powerful Prime Minister during a portion of my time there. This book tells it like it is. The current bickering with the Fundamentalists is well founded. When Erbakan, a Fundamentalist Prime Minister,was in power, it was apparent that his party wanted to turn Turkey into another Iran. The Constitution states that Turkey will be maintained as a secular State. This provision allows the military to enforce this. Erbakan was given an ultimatum to get out or the Military would take over. Living under the fundamentalists regime, was extremely dangerous and difficult. During this period most Turkish people prepared to leave the country. Dollars were sort after, Passports were in demand and many families transferred their funds out of the country. The Popes' description of the current politics is current and correct. Turkey, as a secular State, can flourish and share the economic trappings of the West. American products are now regularly seen on the store shelves. Metros are being built in all the major cities. The new Istanbul-Ankara Turnpike, now cuts this travel to 4 hours, rather than the 8-9 hrs it took before. Dollars and other currencies are exchanged everywhere. The internet has taken hold and everyone, and I mean everyone, now use cell phones as often as we do.So this book is an accurate up-to-date account of the state of Turkey. It was refreshing to read and well recommended for those interested in Turkey.

More than any country Turkey has been almost deliberately misunderstood in Europe and in the United States. Some of the misunderstanding comes from lazy thinking, much is ignorance and the rest predjudice combined with politics. Nicole and Hugh Pope, who speak Turkish as well as several other languages, have lived for the past decade in Instanbul. Their clear-eyed understanding of Turkey's promise and problems is clearly conveyed in this well written book. It is a "must read" for anyone who wants to understand the reality of this complex and fascinating country. It's difficult to think of a country in a more complex neighborhood. Turkey has borders with Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq and Syria. Turkey's relations with each brings a different set of complexities. Ironically Turkey's most strained relations are with it's NATO ally, Greece. Internally Turkey's relations with its Kurdish minority, creates a tension with no signs of easy resolution yet are less hostile than many in the west realize. The Popes explore and explain with a depth of understanding and feeling that can only come not only knowing the language and the people but from having the energy and curiosity to travel widely and interview citizens at all levels of society.This is not a travelogue but a serious history of modern Turkey. Still one wishes they'd found a way to mention the joys of walking through both the rich and poor neighborhoods of Istanbul where a foreigner can see and experience first hand the Turks righly famous hospitality as well as the dynamic tension inherent in a rapidly changing society where you can see traditionally garbed mothers walking with short skirted, lipsticked daughters.Since Mustafa Kemal Attaturk the Turks have dealt with adversity. The Popes describe a country that is at once moving towards modernity, and possibly prosperity, while at the same time is rediscovering its past. Turkey is a work in progress. The Popes do a masterful job of describing the progress to date, warts and all.