Insight Guide Turkey [Paperback]

Brian Bell (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Insight Guide Turkey | Publication Date: January 1998

One of over 400 titles in the Insight series,

Insight Guide Turkey. This 438-page book includes a section detailing Turkey's history, 6 features covering aspects of the country's life and culture, ranging from the amazingly varied cuisine to the stupendous Bosphorus skyline, a region by region visitor's guide to the sights, and a comprehensive Travel Tips section packed with essential contact addresses and numbers. Plus many lovely photographs and 21 maps.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Apa Productions (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887297870
• ISBN-13: 978-0887297878
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,627,917 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cross cultural lifeline., August 2, 2000

By 

Sailoil - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turkey (Insight Guide Turkey) (Paperback)

Insight guides offer a rich history, political analysis and cultural insight to the countries they cover. By using locally based writers they get the insiders view of what the various camps believe in. For a discerning traveller who wants to know about the country, the people, geography, food, industry etc and for those who wish to travel independently, this is the book to read. It is not tourist guide which says stay here, eat this menu, see this statue. All that is left to the standard tourist guide writers. If you never travel to a country, you can know it through the insight guide. Because Muslim and Turkish cultures are so different from ours (and Turkish is different to Arabic Muslim) it is important to be aware of the behaviours that are considered polite and those that are considered to be rude. This book equips you to deal courteously with salesmen who would be considered pushy by western standards. Did you know for instance that it is rude to kiss your partner in the street in Turkey (or any muslim country) even if it is only a peck on the cheek -whereas it is polite for men to kiss each other in public. Why were Turks feared by all of Europe for seven hundred years? Why do the Greeks still hate them with such passion (if you want to insult a Greek just call him a Turk and see the reaction). For depth of analysis on culture, history and geography, to understand what makes the people tick, you should read this book. Then if you travel to Turkey you may, like me, find the Turks to be the friendliest people you have ever met. You may also understand why such friendly people are capable of being represented in quite a different way in Movies like Midnight Express. Vive la difference!

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful Guide!!, July 31, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Turkey (Insight Guide Turkey) (Paperback)

The Insight Guide to Turkey has breathtaking photos, and exceptionally well-written essays about the country, its history, geography, politics and peoples.

I read this book in preparing to host a Turk at my house. I was seeking an appreciation of the country and its culture. What I got was a fascinating read (I couldn't put it down) and a very balanced view, in addition to a great history lesson. I am left with a desire to see this country and meet its people!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Historical Background, March 18, 2009

By 

New traveler (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turkey (Insight Guides) (Paperback)

I bought a number of books for my trip to Istanbul and found this one helpful for giving a historical background to Turkey and how it's culture has been shaped over the centuries. The descriptions for various "must sees" are helpful, though generally factual. I didn't get a great excitement in reading about them. Luckily I have a Rick Steve's guide that did that! This is still a good book I'd recommend.

After the historical introduction, it is organized by geographical region so you can read just about the ares you will be able to go to. The "travel tips" section at the back of the book is helpful and has sections including useful websites, where to eat & stay (w/price ranges), trasportation info, sporting options, useful words & phrases (though Rick Steve's guides are more useful in that regard), things to consider when planning a trip, climate info, etc.

Though it is paper back the cover (w/sturdy flaps for marking your page) is very durable and is laminated.