Product Description

In the first edition of this widely praised book, Stephen Kinzer made the convincing claim that Turkey was the country to watch-poised between Europe and Asia, between the glories of its Ottoman past and its hopes for a democratic future, between the dominance of its army and the needs of its civilian citizens, between its secular expectations and its Muslim traditions. In this newly revised edition, he adds much important new information on the many exciting transformations in Turkey's government and politics that have kept it in the headlines, and also shows how recent developments in both American and European policies (and not only the war in Iraq) have affected this unique and perplexing nation.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #478912 in Books
• Published on: 2008-12-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Review
"An unusually candid account of the state of Turkish politics... Lyrical, even romantic, about the potential of a forceful, creative and mostly free people to realise their own implied glorious future." The New York Times."

Customer Reviews

Realistic, Insightful, Sincere.
Kinzer recognises the strengths and weaknesses of Modern day Turkey. Like a caring parent, he observes the drawbacks of the existing system while offering constructive criticism. His suggestions on how to improve the country's overall welfare and international profile is quite sincere, while sometimes a bit too romantic and naive. Although it is clear that Kinzer is a friend of Turkey and the Turks, he has not let his emotions interfere with his mandate of writing a book on Modern Turkey. In my view, his professionalism keeps his observations up-to-date and clear, while he comes across as the objective narrator. This book should be translated into Turkish and become part of high school recommended reading list for Turkish students. Politicians, bureaucrats and youth of Turkey have many lessons to take from "Star and Crescent" and Stephen Kinzer. It will take them closer to the brighter and better future they all deserve and work so hard for.

A "Must Read" for Turks and others who are related to Turkey
With quite objective explanations about the facts of Turkey, this book let's you have a trip to the brief history and facts of Modern Turkey. It could have been more satisfactory if the claims of Turks were explained more, then just explaining the oppenents' ideas.
Compared to prejudged, anti-turkish and so called democratic writers of Europe, the American writer gives a satisfactory picture of Turkey, on it's way to full democracy.

yet another book on Turkey.
Turks and foreigners alike (I am an Italian of Turkish origin) are curious to know what the others think of Turkey and Turkish people. They read the books and other publications written on the subject.
The recent book by S. Kinzer is one of these publications and it is a huge disappointment.
Kinzer's reporting of Turkish life style (eating, drinking, etc.) is banal and simplistic. It is based only on limited and meaningless experiences as well as on selected contacts with Turks.
The writer's views on Turkish democratic system, on Turkey's armed forces and on Turkey's policies are inaccurate and do not reflect the reality. His comments on Kemalism are inappropriate and prove his total ignorance of Ataturk's reforms and their present and future impact on Turkey.
His approach to Turkey's relations with Kurds, Armenians and Greeks is biased and irrelevant. Kinzer has definitely a lot to learn and to understand about Turkey...