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Great Catastrophe: Armenians and Turks in the Shadow of Genocide 1st Edition

by Thomas de Waal (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars 14 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0199350698
ISBN-10: 0199350698
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Product Details

  • Hardcover: 312 pages
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press; 1 edition (February 2, 2015)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0199350698
  • ISBN-13: 978-0199350698
  • Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 1.1 x 6.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #748,734 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars(despite a major flaw) a unique perspective on the Armenian Genocide and its aftermath
By VA on March 22, 2015
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
The latest work by Thomas De Wall comes right in time for the great tragedy's 100th anniversary and is unique in both its perspective and coverage.

Interestingly, the main title of the book may sound misleading, since only the first couple of chapters are devoted to the actual Crime that happened between 1915 and 1923. This leads me to believe that by 'Great Catastrophe', the author refers to the aftermath of the Genocide as an essential part of the tragedy itself. Therein lies the great value of the book; unlike vast majority of published works covering the Genocide in detail, De Wall focuses on what happened after it, providing critical chronology and context for the events spanning the last 100 years.

Indeed, by meticulously collecting data from a variety of sources and documenting the most significant developments - together with the larger context in which they were occurring - the author reveals how Turkish-Armenian 'bad blood' (rooted in Armenia's centuries-long occupation and oppression) had been manipulated by the world powers (and different forces within those powers) to pursue various political agendas of the day and to exert pressure on respective Turkish governments - all the way to modern day dramatic events surrounding the latest push for Turkish-Armenian reconciliation and its spectacular failure. The results are catastrophic; for Armenians who lost vast majorities of the population, lands and property; for Turks tainted by the stigma of Genocide perpetuators for generations; and ultimately the entire region haunted by deep division lines that cripple its development.Read more ›
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4.0 out of 5 starsBalanced perspective that mostly draws on secondary sources
By M. D. HEALY on April 12, 2015
Format: Hardcover
Few issues in 20th century history are as intensely disputed as the tragic fate of Armenians in the dying Ottoman Empire a century ago. Armenian scholars use the word "genocide." Turkish historians and their government agree that mass killings of Armenians took place in 1915, but strongly dispute the term "genocide" because they contend the killings were not systematically planned. Also the number of deaths is contentious: Armenian sources say 1.5 million; the Turkish government says 300 thousand; neutral historians say very likely more than 500 thousand and possibly over a million -- but since neutral scholars have only recently been able to work with Turkish primary sources there is still much uncertainty over the number of deaths. Most, but not all, scholars of the period who are neither Turkish nor Armenian agree that the word "genocide" probably is appropriate. Recently the Pope used that word, and at present there is a diplomatic row between Turkey and the Vatican in progress.

Thomas de Wall is a British journalist who has spent much time in the Caucasus region reporting on the conflict in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh. As it happens, I visited this region not long before the USSR ceased to exist. Even in a short visit, it was obvious to me that ethnic tensions between Armenians and Azeris --- which had been suppressed during the Soviet period -- were exploding as the ability of the USSR to suppress them was coming to an end. In Baku and in Yerevan, people were clearly ceasing to think of themselves as Soviet citizens. When an empire falls, what emerges from its fall is not only sweetness and light.

For much of the 20th century, serious study of primary sources was not possible.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starshighly recommended treatment of the Armenian genocide and its ongoing impact
By C. Quinn on April 18, 2015
Format: Hardcover
This excellent scholarly look at the events surrounding the expulsion of the Armenian population from the Ottoman Empire during WWI makes for a timely and important read given the recent anniversary of the events. This complicated history is pulled apart to explain to a newcomer exactly how the Armenians came to be where they were and how they came to be the victims of such a tragedy. The descriptions of the killings themselves were presented tastefully and with a great deal of humanity. I was fascinated by the author's presentation of the more modern history of the Armenian diaspora and by the debates within in the community surrounding the issue of defining the killings as a genocide. Though I was familiar with the broad outlines of the issue, this book gave me a much deeper understanding of its impact on politics today. This book taught me a lot about a complex question and a politically vibrant diaspora. Highly recommended.
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5.0 out of 5 starsThis is a great book to read as we approach the Centennial of ...
By Terry S. Collins on March 10, 2015
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
This is a great book to read as we approach the Centennial of the Armenian Genecide. Much has been written about the events of 1915, but this book is more about what has happened since then, over the last hundred years. It sheds light on the changing dynamics between Armenians and Turks and also on the dynamics between Eastern, Western and Diaspora Armenians. It is a very timely read by an author who is very familiar with the Caucasus Region. A number of years ago I read a book by him on Chechnya, just after the first Chechen War with Russia (1994-6). He definitely knows the region.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

indeed a deep and very readable analysis [...] and

Published 2 months ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat intro to the history of the region

It is great introduction into the new topic of a huge historical importance. You get a brief review of the history of the region and advise on what to read to research more.

Published 9 months ago by Natalia Kozyakova
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Product as described, fast shipping, thank you!

Published 10 months ago by Armen H
5.0 out of 5 starsA must-read for anyone trying to understand the terrible events of...

A fascinating read that shows the reader all too clearly how an event's history and histories can shape the event itself, long after it has taken place. Read more

Published 14 months ago by Tatamagouche
4.0 out of 5 starsExcellent basic reading!

Surely there are more detailed books on this topic. But if you never read anything about it, it is a very good starting point!

Published 14 months ago by Giuseppe Francesco Passanante
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Everyone should read it.

Published 14 months ago by Jazsoul
5.0 out of 5 starswell written and intelligent.

Worth reading no matter your viewpoint. Clear, well written and intelligent.

Published 16 months ago by Chip Diggins
5.0 out of 5 starsThomas De Waal is a superb and fair-minded writer who ...

Thomas De Waal is a superb and fair-minded writer who is able to engage the reader's attention on a very complicated and emotionally charged subject, especially this year, 2015,... Read more

Published 16 months ago by Jayk
5.0 out of 5 starsthe author is not an Armenian or a Turk so he is not emotionally...

xlnt book that details many of the details leading up to WWI and the eventual deportations/murders of over a million Armenians; the author is not an Armenian or a Turk so he is not... Read more

Published 17 months ago by DON TEBILME

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