Stuart’s Reviews > The Ottoman Endgame: War, Revolution, and the Making of the Modern Middle East, 1908-1923 > Status Update

Got some major catching up to do, it’s fine I got all day tmr

I'm slacking right now but that's only because we wrapped up boat talk a chapter ago and now I'm not so engaged. I feel a bit, marooned. Pontooned, even. I can't wait to talk about this at the book club. I believe it will go swimmingly. Our discussion of the Sublime Porte will be... sublime. Santeria.

“Bivouac” was a new word to me, meaning an improvised camp or resting spot especially in a wartime or expeditionary capacity. That’s cool but I don’t need any more French vocab, thanks anyway

This chapter... NOT about BOATS!!! I don't give a RATS A** about a stinkin land battle!!
Rifles, bayonet charges and artillery? Pshhh
Dreadnaughts and nautical navigation?? Yes please!!

I didn't journal yesterday but guess what... more tales about BOATS people hell yeah that's what I like to see!

Oh how I love me a story of a boat

The last sentence of the section I read is as follows
"Compelling as the unfolding Greek-Turkish drama was, however, a team of Serbian Conspirators in Belgrade was determined not to be upstaged."

What ever could McMeekin be referring to???

I want to read more about (since I wasn't really thinking of this while reading this last section) what exactly was Kaiser Wilhelm II's attitude towards Ahmed Riza, both in the context of his policies how it would prospectively mesh with German ambitions, and also hedging his bet for his potential ascension to power? Ultimately worked out alright for him I suppose. Fascinating.

Will this "Ahmed Riza" fella turn out to be a cool, tempered & level headed revolutionary or will he go bananas when he decides to play his hand and attempt to take all power? I don't know because this is my first time reading about Ottoman history. Excited to learn
Cool quote: "Like all revolutionaries... [they] were truly united only in what they opposed". Dang thats cold