An opinionated but helpful introduction to modern Turkish politics. Plenty of color and interesting anecdotes

a must read if you're interested in learning more about modern day Turkey and how it came to be

Crescent and Star is probably a bit basic for anyone who's familiar with Turkish politics and 20th century history, but I found it a great sub-250 page introduction. It focuses almost exclusively on the Turkish Republic and its people, from Ataturk to the present, but not at all in chronological order. I don't know how objective this book is, as the author, a American journalist, spends plenty of words criticizing (berating?) the military and its omnipresent role in government. But you might, too, if the police interrogated you for 24 hours merely for driving around and asking questions about Kurds. Ultimately, this book helped me understand just how unique Turkey is. Geographically, politically, historically, etc., there's nowhere else like it.

Another really good book by Kinzer. Though not as exciting and engaging as "All The Shah's Men", it is still very interesting and informative.

Turkey is a fascinating country stuck between two worlds and Kinzer does a great job of relaying the history and culture of the only Islamic European nation. The political structure in Turkey is very unique and Kinzer skillfully explains the history and the ideology behind it. The chapters on Kemal Ataturk and on Turkey's tumultuous relationship with Greece are particularly interesting.

A great book for anyone curious about this little known country which may end up wielding increasing influence in world politics.

This book provides a look at some of the struggles of modern Turkey and some of the history that preceded them. I'd give it one more star, but recent history (the book was published in 2008) shows that the book's hopeful tone is overdone, and left me wanting an update from Kinzer. Luckily, Kinzer is a journalist, and still writes commentary on Turkey, so I suppose I can just google some newer material.

Overall, this book provided good insights to the Republic's founding under Kemal Ataturk, and provided lots of more recent history about repressive military regimes, old-line politicians, and certain ethnic conundrums plaguing the modern state. The most intriguing bit is the speculation about how far Erdogan and the AKP will allow their populist Islamic leanings to erode the Kemalist ideal of secularism (a drama whose answer seems increasingly apparent every year. )

It's apparent that Kinzer loves Turkey, despite its treatment of him (as a 'subversive' journalist), and it shows through in the anecdotes that close every chapter. This book is recommended for anyone wanting an opinionated and experiential history of Turkey until about 2007, or is looking to understand the roots of some of the current issues. Just remember that some of the shine has tarnished since the book was published.

I thought this was an interesting book. It was a little difficult to follow at times because the author doesn't always lay things out in chronological order, but I liked some of the author's personal stories. I thought some of the judgements made by the author were biased towards the liberal side (in terms of America) but maybe that is just popular opinion in Turkey.

I picked this up based on the recommendations of Goodreads users. I was hoping for a good history of modern Turkey, and instead found a journalistic sketch of the country. I was not impressed. Bouncing around between history, contemporary politics (circa early 2001), and light observations of Turkish life, Kinzer spends a good deal of time scolding the Turks for failing to fully embrace democracy. The word "should" appears prominently in each chapter, and I found this to be both distasteful and naive. Kinzer only seems to have brushed the surface of his subject, despite many years of experience in and a professed love for the country. If he's going to be prescriptive, I'd like to see more depth to his analysis and a more nuanced recommendation for action.

I still want a good history of modern Turkey. Any recommendations out there?

A quick read, probably good for someone like me who knows very little about Turkey's recent history. The travelog-esque interludes were a nice touch.

Insightful look into modern Turkey by an author who teaches at Northwestern! But I've never had a class with Kinzer.

I knew almost nothing about Turkey before. Kinzer provides the historical context and presents the current (as of 2002) dilemmas facing their modernization. Located at such a critical junction between the East and West, their progress will have far reaching impacts. Crescent and Star helps the reader understand this and enlists their support in Turkey's march towards full democracy.

So, finally, I am done. Please do not mistake the great length of time I took to complete this book to mean anything other than I am awful at managing time, this was a great book. As someone who visited Turkey and read a handful of literature about the great city of Istanbul and life under the Ottoman Empire this book wove together a bunch of missing facts and political details, I was otherwise unaware of.

It is obvious the author is passionately in love with this county, he can portray it for all its ill's and pride's as a country in constant flux, coming into its own after decades of twists and turns. There are numerous entries where he speaks of his first-hand experiences dictating tales as if out of his travel journals. With ease, the author weaves varying timelines and rich character profiles helping to illustrate the plethora of Turkish leaders, politicians, and countrymen. Pragmatic writing and research help a reader remember the pivotal moments and players.

With his extensive and seemily, impartial chapters on the "Kurdish puzzle" to explaining in the most vivid and delicious details the process and protocol of Turkish Meze & Raki, the author does great justice to a city and country that, so many visitors fall in love with.

From this reading I took with me these topics to follow up on:
1. Strategic Depth by Ahmet Davutoğlu
2. Nazim Hikmet: poet
3. Kim by Rudyard Kipling (about the "great game")
4. Man without a Gun by Giandomenico Picco
5. Mehmet's Book by Nadire Mater

Stephen Kinzer was a journalist who lived in Turkey for a long time and his book has personal impressions as well as interesting political commentary and historical perspective. Great read in preparation for my trip to Turkey in a few months.