The Immortal Ataturk: A Psychobiography

by Varnik Volkan, Norman Itzkowitz

A searching look at modern Turkey.

Genres: Psychology, History, Biography

374 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Orhan Aksu · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Gazi'nin diğer dostlarının yanı sıra Nuri de bazen geceyi Çankaya'daki köşkte geçirir, sabahleyin ev sahibine tavşan avında eşlik ederdi. Bu etkinlikler nedeniyle binici takımı Çankaya'da duruyordu. İki adam sık sık bugün Anıtkabir'in bulunduğu tepede at sürerek avlanırlardı. Bu at gezileri sırasında yanlarında başka kimse olmaz, çoğunlukla Nuri'nin evinde tahin pekmezden oluşan kahvaltıyla gezi sona ererdi. Mustafa Kemal memnun bir ruh haliyle " "Selanik'teki çocukluğumdan beri tahin pekmezi sevmişimdir" der, Nuri'nin çocuklarıyla sevecen bir tavırla konuşurdu."

Biz de seni çok sevdik paşam çok...

[S. Berk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volkan and Itzkowitz's work is an incredible testimony to what a joint work of scholars from different disciplinary viewpoints could achieve. A very well-researched and beautifully-written text, analyzing the long-term effects of some very dramatic and traumatic events in Kemal's past and how they might have shaped his character and psychological traits. It is a highly unbiased and fair assessment of Kemal as a fallible human being who achieved extraordinary things. While doing so, it provides also an account of a broader history of the late Ottoman Empire and early republican Turkey, giving us glimpses of daily life and everyday tragedies of the common people, which is highly original and inspiring. All in all, it is a book that every student of modern Turkish history should read. If I were a lecturer, at least a few chapters of this book would be in my syllabus. It is, however, VERY hard to find. The Turkish translation (which is not as hard to find) seems loyal to the original, which is surprising. I wish we could see such great biographies of other historical figures.

[Ali Gül · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tek kelimeyle mükemmel.

Kitabın Atatürk ile ilgili seçtiği anektodlar ve biyografiyi ortaya koyuş şekli mükemmel. Psikanaliz denen olguyu dinlediğim kadarıyla bilimsel bulmadığım için, bu bölümlerde yapılan analizlerin doğruluğunu da bilemiyorum. Fakat Vamık Volkan'ın Atatürk'ün özel hayatı ile ilgili yaptığı tahliller son derece hoşuma gitti. Paşa hazretlerine meraklıysanız kesinlikle okumanızı öneriyorum.

[Cantigone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atatürk’ün özellikle çocukluğunda yaşadıklarının onu nasıl etkilediği, karakterine nasıl yön verdiğine dair psikolojik analizler dikkat çekici. Tabii hala Atatürk’le ilgili pek çok şeyi bilmiyoruz ve bu kitap da ölümünden 37 yıl sonra yazılmasına karşın pek çok konuda varsayımlar üzerinden ilerlemek zorunda kalıyor. Yine de Atatürk’ün karakterini, psikolojik yapısını merak edenler için okuması keyif veren bir kitap. Bu konuyu merak edenlere benim de bir önerim olacak. Osman Selim Kocahanoğlu’nun hazırladığı Ali Fuat Cebesoy’un ‘Bilinmeyen Hatıralar’ kitabının son bölümünde Cebesoy’un Amerikalı bir gazeteciyle yaptığı uzun bir röportaj var. Bu röportajda Paşanın Atatürk’le ilgili değerlendirmeleri benim okuduklarım içinde Atatürk’ün nasıl bir insan olduğu hakkında beni en çok etkileyen, aklımdaki pek çok soruyu cevaplandıran bir değerlendirme oldu, konuya ilgisi olanlara öneririm.

[Cem Ertül · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating psychoanalysis of Atatürk that acts as a further testimony to his extraordinary character which made it possible for him to achieve extraordinary things. Although the impreciseness of psychoanalysis as a scientific pursue shows itself at some places in the book, overall the authors have managed to write one of the most enjoyable and interesting biographies of Atatürk. A must-read if you are interested in the subject, however if you are completely new to it I would suggest starting with the biography by Lord Kinross as it is the most accessible one, and then read this one.

[Ustun · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique book, which sheds light on the psychoanalysis of Ataturk's life. Readers unfamiliar with his biography, widely studied in turkish and english writings, might have difficulties to follow the course of events described in the book. I recommend readers to start with an established Ataturk's biography. I am moved to see the deep psychoanalysis of famous events of Mustafa Kemal's life and how they are merged with his country and people's.

[Taner Demir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atatürk'ün biyografisine psikoanalitik bir bakış, bazı tespitler oldukça ilginç

[Edacheeky · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
This was really interesting to read. It's been my first introduction to psychobiography and it really intrigued me. I've realised that psychobiography/history has both its pros and cons - particularly in the accuracy of their analysis and conclusions, since Ataturk died a long time ago and psychoanalysis has its flaws -, but in the end it has opened up a whole new view point of Ataturk, and so has benefited the historiography of Ataturk as a whole. The psychoanalysis and the conclusions drawn from it made this book very interesting, engaging read. I also found the authors' methods that they described in detail in the book to be intriguing. In the end they maintained a balanced view of Ataturk as a human, not a demigod, that I agree with.

[Yasmina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was impressed with the extensive research done to write this book.
Very intensive reading,great history book too in a way.
Ataturk's struggle for independence of Turkey and his background,childhood,relations.
Everything is in this book you want to know about Ataturk.I liked it.
It a book to keep not to loan even to friends,they will not return it.
I learned my lesson,I never loan my books anymore. LOL