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The New Turkey: The Quiet Revolution on the Edge of Europe
Turkey is a country in a state of flux. In the last few years, far-reaching political and economic reforms have swept away much of the old order that ruled the country for so long. Pressure for change has come from ordinary people; it has also been motivated by the dominant issue of Turkish political life—the long pursuit of membership in the European Union. And yet Turkey remains a mystery to many outsiders, a complex country hard to fathom: secular and Muslim, Western and Eastern, democratic and authoritarian.
258 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2005
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67 people want to read
About the author
Chris Morris
88 books2 followersLibrarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 25, 2023
"The New Turkey: The Quiet Revolution on the Edge of Europe" by Chris Morris offers an insightful glimpse into the enigmatic country that is Turkey. As a Muslim, I have always been intrigued by Turkey's unique position at the crossroads of history, culture, and religion. This book provided me with some answers to my questions, but it also left me with a sense of curiosity, knowing that there is much more to explore and understand.
Morris skillfully navigates through Turkey's complex history and the profound transformations it has undergone in recent times. From the rise of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) to the modernization efforts and social changes, the book captures the essence of Turkey's evolving identity.
I appreciated how "The New Turkey" delves into the delicate balance between tradition and modernity in the country. It sheds light on the interplay of religious conservatism and the push for greater democracy, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of power and governance in the nation.
The book also explores Turkey's unique position as a bridge between East and West, and how this has influenced its foreign policies and relationships with other countries. This aspect particularly resonated with me as it highlights Turkey's role in the Islamic world while maintaining strong ties with Western allies.
However, I must admit that the book left some of my questions unanswered. While it provided valuable context and analysis, I still feel that there are layers of complexity and nuance that require further exploration. Perhaps this is a testament to the richness of Turkey's history and its ongoing evolution.
"The New Turkey" serves as an excellent starting point for understanding this intriguing nation, but it also piques my interest to delve deeper into Turkey's culture, society, and politics. As a Muslim, I am compelled to continue my quest to uncover the untold stories and explore the complexities of a country that holds both familiarity and mystery for me. Chris Morris' work has ignited a curiosity within me, and I look forward to further exploration to gain a more comprehensive understanding of Turkey's unique place in the world.
Morris skillfully navigates through Turkey's complex history and the profound transformations it has undergone in recent times. From the rise of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) to the modernization efforts and social changes, the book captures the essence of Turkey's evolving identity.
I appreciated how "The New Turkey" delves into the delicate balance between tradition and modernity in the country. It sheds light on the interplay of religious conservatism and the push for greater democracy, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of power and governance in the nation.
The book also explores Turkey's unique position as a bridge between East and West, and how this has influenced its foreign policies and relationships with other countries. This aspect particularly resonated with me as it highlights Turkey's role in the Islamic world while maintaining strong ties with Western allies.
However, I must admit that the book left some of my questions unanswered. While it provided valuable context and analysis, I still feel that there are layers of complexity and nuance that require further exploration. Perhaps this is a testament to the richness of Turkey's history and its ongoing evolution.
"The New Turkey" serves as an excellent starting point for understanding this intriguing nation, but it also piques my interest to delve deeper into Turkey's culture, society, and politics. As a Muslim, I am compelled to continue my quest to uncover the untold stories and explore the complexities of a country that holds both familiarity and mystery for me. Chris Morris' work has ignited a curiosity within me, and I look forward to further exploration to gain a more comprehensive understanding of Turkey's unique place in the world.
July 14, 2009
I'll refrain from ranting as the book exceeded my expectation - well-written, and thorough, but never got bogged down. Highly recommended for those looking for a recent, balanced insight into the country.
November 17, 2017
Some interesting ideas. Turkey is moving so fast that this is already a little out of date, it would be great to see a new edition.
January 16, 2019
Readable, informative, insightful, broad-ranging, and balanced. Thank you, Chris Morris.
September 27, 2012
BBC correspondent Chris Morris examines the slew of far-reaching political and economic reforms undertaken by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoðan and his conservative-religious AK Party since it came to power in 2002 as they seek to complete Atatürk's long held dream of moving the country from the edge of Asia to the centre of Europe.
The fact that this final phase of European integration, designed to completely overhaul the incomplete system that the country's mercurial founder left in his wake, should be undertaken by an Islamic party rather than those that claim to follow in the Kemalist secular tradition is an apparent anomaly that can only be understood with a thorough understanding of the enigmatic nation.
Morris who has been both the BBC Turkish and European correspondent is uniquely placed to undertake this explanation and his deep and abiding love of this increasingly confused and confusing country shines through as he seeks to humanise even the most obtuse aspect of Turkey's EU accession bid with the stories of the very people it will ultimately affect.
"And is it really Europe?"
The fact that this final phase of European integration, designed to completely overhaul the incomplete system that the country's mercurial founder left in his wake, should be undertaken by an Islamic party rather than those that claim to follow in the Kemalist secular tradition is an apparent anomaly that can only be understood with a thorough understanding of the enigmatic nation.
Morris who has been both the BBC Turkish and European correspondent is uniquely placed to undertake this explanation and his deep and abiding love of this increasingly confused and confusing country shines through as he seeks to humanise even the most obtuse aspect of Turkey's EU accession bid with the stories of the very people it will ultimately affect.
"And is it really Europe?"
September 13, 2014
History has overtaken this book.
November 27, 2015
A nice, journalistic approach to the major faultlines within Turkish society in the early 21st century. Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews