Turkey: Books Not To Be Missed

Books

You can imagine how many books have been written about Turkey especially in the past few years. Many are interesting depending on what you like to read, but I have my favorites due to their enticing stories, dialog, information and plain enjoyment. They are my best of the best picks and can guarantee you a great read, whether about language, tourism, culture or stories about the people and land. Let me know your picks and I will add them to this list with your compliments.

Language and Law

1. A Basic Course in Modern Turkish by Peter Pikkert, ISBN 975-8379-01-1. If I had had this book years ago, I would have learned Turkish a lot easier and quicker by knowing all these tidbits upfront about the Turkish language. No one should be without it if you want a heads up before you take classes and a resource forever. For those in Istanbul, you can buy it at the Greenhouse Bookstore in Kadikoy.

2. Adim Adim Turkce/Turkish Step by Step by Belgin Camli of the Turkish American University Association, ISBN none found. Published in 1989, there are several levels of the book. I have bought many books to learn Turkish over the years, but I have found this one to be much more user friendly than all the others and one can learn quickly with it. Give it a try.

3. The New Legal Status of Women in Turkey published by Women for Women's Human Rights-New Ways, ISBN 975-7014-12-5. A small manual to inform you on all the basic rights and changes on laws about women in Turkey. Packed with information, a must read for anyone involved in non-profits supporting women's issues. You can get a copy at most bookstores.

4. Turkish Woman: A Phenomenal Metamorphosis by Ayse Cebesoy Sarialp, ISBN 975-98546-0-0, published by AKSU Kitabevi. An easy read for anyone who wants to catch up fast on the state of women in Turkey covering a broad variety of topics in short snippets of a few pages.

Good Reads

5. Scotch and Holy Water by John D. Tumpane, ISBN 0-9607382-0-7, published by St. Giles Press. He was probably one of the first self-published authors of modern times. It is out of print now, but you might find it on e-Bay or in second-hand bookstores. I believe the author passed away because I have not found him in years and I used to communicate with him. Great stories, great humor!

6. Beyond the Orchard by Azize Ethem, ISBN 9756663693. Her story will, not only entertain you but make you believe there is something special out there waiting for you—an adventure, a person, a new way of life. Indulge a little and check out the interesting review of her book at: http://www.pandora.com.tr/urun.asp?id=122720.

7. Expat Harem: Foreign Women in Modern Turkey edited by A.M. Ashman and Jennifer Eaton Gokmen, ISBN 975-293-372-6. A recently published book about women who have lived as expats in Turkey. A compilation of wonderful stories written by real women experiencing life in their adopted homeland. The editors gave a marvelous tribute to Turkey and her people with the publication of this delightful read. Don't miss it! http://www.expatharem.com.

8. Living Under the Shadow of Two Cultures by Hughette Eyuboglu, ISBN 975-6663-51-0. A true account from a Canadian woman who came to Turkey back in the sixties and became part of a famous Turkish family of artists. She came to Turkey at a time when western amenities did not exist and struggles as a foreigner were fraught with pain, frustration, comedy and long waiting periods, not much change on that account. A true resource.

9. Crescent & Star: Turkey Between Two Worlds by Stephen Kinzer, ISBN 0-374-52866-7. This book is probably the best read for a glimpse inside Turkey about its past, present and projections for the future. It gives clear understanding about a country misunderstood and a crisp and interesting dialog why Turkey may catapult to greatness once again.

10. Turkey: Bright Sun, Strong Tea by Tom Brosnahan, ISBN 975-8293-57-5. Part story, part travel and good for tourism. He saw the days when you could truly live on $5 a day and see a country spanning two continents and learn about the Ottoman Empire. Tom also hosts the best website on Turkey for those who need information about how to get around and where to go. Check out his website at: http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com.

11. Turkey: A Nation Divided over Islam's Revival by Marvine Howe, ISBN 0-8133-4242-2. If you want the current lowdown on how Islam impacts the country today and where secularists against non-secularists fuel the fires in politics, don't miss this book. It sheds light on daily living and why we see fast development in the midst of growing extremism.

Tourism and Culture

12. Turkey: Culture Smart! by Charlotte McPherson, owner of the blogged about Greenhouse Bookstore in Kadikoy, ISBN 1-857333-326-8. This is a great little book for anyone visiting or living in Turkey. She writes in a simple, friendly way to give you the short version of what to expect in Turkish society or what to do when you see or observe certain attitudes, beliefs and behaviors. I certainly could have used such a book some years back when I showed up at a wedding reception with a gift that did not fit in the bride's pocket!

13. Biblical Sites in Turkey by Everett C. Blake and Anna G. Edmonds, ISBN 975-8176-26-9. If you want a book which gives all the highlights of the many biblical sites in Turkey and which are more worth your time than another, this is the book for you. They give clear instructions on what trips are best for which lengths of time and in what season to travel in. Even if you want to explore an area but have limited time, they tell you how to do it. Better than any tourism book!

14. The Undiscovered Places of Turkey by Sevan and Mujde Nisanyan, published by Boyut Yayin Grubu. These two writers have written a few of these little books which are produced more like a little magazine. The Little Hotel Book is another in its series and they are all about the off-the-beaten-track places you would not find out about unless you saw their books. Easy to navigate and filled with nuggets of information on just the essentials with a photo. These are always on display at Remzi's on their counter.

Poetry and Legends

15. Turkish Legends and Folk Poems by Talat S. Halman, ISBN 975-7499-07-2. One can tell a lot about a country and its people by reading their poetry and legends. You learn about culture, life, relationships and other interesting bits about a country. Few books about this content are published in English and Halman does a great job; but then, of course, he was the first Minister of Culture in Turkey.

16. Living Poets of Turkey: An Anthology of Modern Poems Translated, with an Introduction by Talat S. Halman, ISBN 975-7499-00-5. Love, struggle, hardship and pain are the real issues poets write about and people experience. Almost like a country song. A beautiful book to read.

I want to tell you about just one more book which I have found very useful if you can get a copy of it. The Turkish Publishers Association prints an annual book of all the books published in Turkey: Turkiye: Books from Turkey. It is a treasure trove of good reading to ponder which book is next on your list to expand your mind and entertain you for hours.

Hope you enjoy these picks of the best reading on Turkey!