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 A brief summary of recent history of Turkey March 17, 2008
Turks have played a key role in world history and continue to be a significant power in the pre-Asia/Europe. This book addresses the recent history (post world war II) of the country, its socioeconomic development, political landscape and how today's governing bodies came to power based on historical events (e.g., coupes, changing world power structure after cold war). A well written book, however, at the end where a chronological run down is given for the key events there is a mistake where it states that one of the ex-presidents (K. Evren) is passed away which is not true. Nevertheless, it was a quick read to get a high level perspective regarding the recent history.
 Appalling July 3, 2007
7 out of 10 found this review helpful
Andrew Mango is an excellent scholar and his biography of Ataturk is probably the best available so I was prepared to really like this book. The writing and style are as good as ever, but it is so stubbornly backward looking it might well have been written in Ataturk's time; the title should be "The Turks Yesterday". Mango hasn't so much ignored as dismissed all contemporary scholarship on Turkey, the middle-east, and minority studies, and has become a (well spoken) mouthpiece for Turkish nationalism. He does not quite deny the Armenian genocide as apologize for those who do and downplay the its importance. He also has the gall to blame the victims, a tactic he returns to in his attack on the Kurds. His attitude towards them is overtly racist and condescending and their national and cultural aspirations he dismisses out of hand. The Kurds are a quarter of the Turkish population and growing, but Mango essentially tells them to sit down and shut up. He accuses the Kurds of being terrorists and bandits while neatly avoiding the horrifying human rights record towards them and their culture. If you'd like to read an eloquent version of the Turkish governments opinions, this is the book for you. I would suggest that you consider another book if you want a realistic consideration of minority issues, or an independant perspective on modern Turkey. Two stars for at least being a well written sack of lies, propaganda and racism.
 The Turks Today February 4, 2007
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
Dr. Mango has correctly portrayed the present day Turkey and the Turks in this wonderful book. The book is easy read and hughly recommended
 Analysis of Internal Politcs Good- Foreign Policy Presentation Smells of Turkish Government Propaganda September 3, 2006
12 out of 29 found this review helpful
Andrew Mango's "The Turks Today" was an interesting read with many details. The first section of the book brought the reader up to date from the end of Ataturk's life to the present day. The second half of the book discussed different issues of modern day Turkey such as economics or the cities of Ankara and Istanbul. Mango's analysis and musings about internal Turkish politics was very interesting.
The book loses two stars on the fact that Mango seems to be pushing Turkish propaganda regarding Turkey's foreign policy. This is not hard to understand when he thanks the Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information for arranging his trip through provincial Turkey, the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Board, as well as the Turkish Embassy in London and multiple Turkish universities and think-tanks.
In talking about the Armenian genocide in the early 20th Century Mango says, "Many had fled when their armies were defeated and the foreign armies on which they had relied had departed. Others perished." pg. 22. (Perished seems to be an understantement regarding the death of more than 1 million people.) He consistently tries to excuse or explain the killings although to his credit he does acknowledge a pro-Armenian source as a book for further information. He also states that the Armenian issue is not one for politicians but for historians- which makes one wonder why he does not address it more fully.
His presentation of the Cyprus issue makes one wonder why almost every country in the world is against Turkey on the issue. Absolutely no explanation is given for the world's criticism. When talking about Turkish farmers who were brought to Turkish Cyprus to farm the land (and change the demographics) Mango nonchalantly says there is no way to tell how many came and it is now irrelevant.
Mango's treatment of the Kurdish issue is also very anti-Kurd. While not suggesting he should embrace Kurdish nationalism calling Kurdish culture "backwards" seems a little harsh and less than diplomatic. It is no surprise that the Turkish Government arranged his trip to the Kurdish areas.
Overall Mango knows Turkey very well. If you want a good understanding of the Turkish Republic's modern history and politics this is a good book. If you are interested in Turkish Foreign Policy from only a Turkish perspective with absolutely no criticism or presentation of alternative viewpoints this is also a decent book. Unfortunately Mango is so sympathetic to the Turkish Government's views that it seems that he is merely a mouthpiece for Turkish propaganda.
Buy Today July 5, 2006
10 out of 12 found this review helpful
The sequel to Mango's renowned biography "Ataturk", it tracks the development of the Turkish Republic into the 21st Century. A good read and excellent reference, I keep it on my desk (when not loaned to friends) and is in the top five of books I recommend on the subject (the first three being "Ataturk", "The Turks Today" and "Turkey: The Challenge of a New Role", all authored by Andrew Mango). Of interest to anyone concerned about the future of Ataturk's legacy, is the section titled "Further Reading", pages 275-279. If you respect the works of this author (and I do) then accept his guidance on what books/authors to read next.
-Joe Kennedy
W.W.A.D
"What Would Ataturk Do?"
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