As Strong as the Mountains: A Kurdish Cultural Journey, Second Edition

by Robert L. Brenneman

Robert Brenneman provides a razor-sharp awareness of the Kurds' roots in the Middle East as well as their massive urban migration and the resulting cultural upheaval. Based on long-term research, this richly layered ethnography takes readers on a journey from the mountains of Ararat, the alleged resting place of Noah's Ark, to urban environments in a megalopolis like Istanbul, Turkey. Brenneman, who lived among the Kurds in both Iraq and Turkey, conducted fieldwork in such places as refugee camps, destroyed mountain villages, and tea gardens in Istanbul. He examines core and changing aspects of Kurdish culture, including human rights, ethnic identity, women's roles, family and community, religious practices, and the transition from oral tradition to literacy. In addition to providing insight into the worldview of the Kurdish people from antiquity to current events, the author points to key lessons that can be drawn from the ongoing dilemmas they face.

Titles of related interest from Waveland Press: Azoy, Buzkashi: Game and Power in Afghanistan, Third Edition (ISBN 9781577667209); Jordan, The Making of a Modern Kingdom: Globalization and Change in Saudi Arabia (ISBN 9781577667025); and Omidian, When Bamboo Bloom (ISBN 9781577667001).

187 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2007

Reviews

[Dr. Sionainn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very good for what it is, which is an introduction, but I still felt like it could've been more.
I went in with no knowledge of the Kurds and their history, and, to be fair, I did get a good foundational basis of who they are and what their general situation is across Turkey and Iraq. However, I wanted him to go into more detail and speak/cite more of the community he's talking about.
It was also unclear at times whether Brenneman was talking about Turkish or Iraqi Kurds, and he often switches between them, even in the same paragraph. Also, he clearly has experience with the area, so he often uses terms or brings up historical events that to him seem obvious, but wouldn't to a layman reader, which is this study's target audience. Additionally, I found the way he talked about women in the tribe was very .... classic of a male author (very little examined and takes the male as neutral, and the woman as an expansion pack of the male).
It was good, but could've been a lot better and clearer.

[Kat Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read about the Kurdish people - history, culture, plight etc. At times repetitive.

[Bella98 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book. So much information covered and shows how much the Kurds have been through yet still keep a positive spirit. As a Kurd I’m proud of this book. Written very well. Highly recommend to anyone wanting to learn more about the Kurds and their struggle

[Maira · Rating 3 out of 5]

wow! tracing their lineage back to antiquity!

[Laween · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a perfect book