The Emergence of Modern Turkey (Studies in Middle Eastern History) [Paperback]

Bernard Lewis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195134605 | ISBN-13: 978-0195134605 | Publication Date: September 6, 2001 | Edition: 3

Written by renowned scholar Bernard Lewis, The Emergence of Modern Turkey has established itself as the preferred one-volume history of modern Turkey. It covers the emergence of Turkey over two centuries, from the decline and collapse of the Ottoman Empire up to the present day. In a new chapter, Lewis discusses the origins of his book in the Cold War era and the events that have taken place since its first publication in 1961. This new edition addresses Turkey's emergence as a decidedly Western-oriented power despite internal opposition from neutralists and Islamic fundamentalists. It examines such issues as Turkey's inclusion in NATO and application to the European Union, and its involvement with the politics of the Middle East. Authoritative and insightful, The Emergence of Modern Turkey remains the classic text on the history of modern Turkey.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for the previous edition

"No one has done more to examine the interactions of the West and the Middle East.Lewis' book will remain a landmark in the study of the modern Middle East."--Foreign Affairs

"An authoritative contribution by a distinguished historian which fills a long-existing need for an interpretive study of developments in Turkey during the last two centuries."--American Historical Review

"Equally valuable for the scholar planning to explore specific lines of research, and for the teacher and journalist who have to explain and analyze developments in modern Turkey."--The Economist

"The author has mobilized his unrivaled knowledge of both Turkish and Western sources to assess the significance of the Ataturk revolution and provide an essential background for the formation of judgments about contemporary Turkey's problems and prospects."--The Times Literary Supplement

About the Author

Bernard Lewis is at Princeton University (Emeritus).

Product Details

• Paperback: 568 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 3 edition (September 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195134605
• ISBN-13: 978-0195134605
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #598,416 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative., January 6, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Emergence of Modern Turkey (Paperback)

Bernard Lewis offers a valuable survey of the history of modern Turkey. The first half of the book is a chronological discussion of the social and political events leading to the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of Turkish nationalism. The second half of the book is a more in depth analysis of the key intellectual and political figures who worked both for and against the consolidation of power among the adherents of the C.U.P.

Bernard Lewis does not limit his study strictly to the historical issues; he discusses some of the important European missunderstandings that guided policymakers in the Near East. He also elaborates on diplomatic factors that affected commercial relations between the West and East; the history of the European "capitulations" in Istanbul, for example, is touched upon.

Where the book really shines, however, is in the second half where Dr. Lewis introduces the western reader to the Turkish periodicals, philosophical tracts and political pamphlets current in the 19th and early 20th cnetury; Dr. Lewis also explores the evolution of modern Turkish in a way that makes it accessible to those unfamiliar with the language -- stressing how important irredentism was in the propaganda of the revolution. The poetry and literature of the elite is contrasted with the language that was spoken by the average Turkish citizenry; a great deal of the rhetoric used by the Ottoman officials and even by the early activists of the Young Turk Movement, for example, was incomprhensible to the masses, because of its obsolescent flourishes and subtle illusions which could only be appreciated by the highly educated.

The dificiency of the book is that it's subject matter, although not intentionally exclusive, is more geared toward the specialist in Turkish and Near Eastern history. However, those familiar with some of the other historical factors surrounding the topics discussed shouldn't have any problem following the events as they unfold. But the scarcity of maps, and the oblique references to WWI and some of the other social and historical factors happening at the time (both in and outside of Turkey proper), may leave the less prepared reader a bit confused. But as a work of Turkish constitutional and intellectual history, and as an overview of the stunning accomplishments of Attaturk and his peers, it is an extremely rewarding read.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Outdated, May 14, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Emergence of Modern Turkey (Studies in Middle Eastern History) (Paperback)

This book was long considered the classic description of the recent history of Turkey. The author has a beautiful writing style, and the book is a pleasure to read. It is by now fairly outdated, however, and the more recent history of Turkey provides reason to question some of Lewis's assumptions.

The book has largely been superseded by Erich Jan Zurcher's "A Modern History of Turkey", also available from Amazon, which can be seen as more reliable and covering issues which Lewis neglects. Professor Zurcher, of the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, has written an appreciative but nonetheless insightful commentary of the Lewis book. Readers considering purchasing the Lewis book would do well to read this commentary beforehand.

29 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonder new perspective of Turkish Republic, May 25, 2000

By 

armand cohen - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Emergence of Modern Turkey (Paperback)

Thank God, there is some new info on this country. For decades we had to depend on 50's and 60's informations to get a clear picture of creation of Turkey. I liked it a lot. A new window to America's closest ally that is so far away.