Turkey Travel Books and Information


Our Favorite Books Books about Turkey? Sure! Why not! In fact there are some great books that will intrigue and captivate you! These are some of our favorite books. We found them interesting and informative. If you have read a book that we should add on our reading list, please let us know! E-Mail us at info@destinationcoupons.com (Travel Guides are at the bottom of the page) SAVE UP TO 50% OFF YOUR PURCHASES AT AMAZON.COM!

	Birds Without Wings by Louis De Bernieres FICTION 1ST CHOICE Fiction & Non-Fiction. This is a compelling, readable, and historically accurate novel and credible tale of love and tragedy at the time of the Ottoman collapse in Turkey. Told from multiple points of view, with chapters narrated by the diverse cast of characters themselves and biographical segments on the career of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, this novel tells the story of how modern secular Turkey was forged out of the crucible of the Balkan Wars, World War I and the Greek War of Independence. The narrators are ordinary men and women -- Christian and Muslim, Greek and Turk -- of a small village near Telmessos (Fethiye) in southwestern Turkey (I think it is Kayakoy).
	Ancient Turkey: A Traveller's History by Seton Lloyd NON-FICTION 1ST CHOICE Non-Fiction. If you have to buy one history book - this is it. This is one of your best preparations for our tour of Turkey. It covers an enormous period from prehistoric times to the Christian era, yet manages to set everything in perspective. Lloyd traces the exploits of the Hittite kings, the confrontation of Croesus and the Persian king Cyrus, the conquests of Alexander the Great, and Mithridates' epic resistance against Rome. Plus, it addresses the history as a traveler will see it.
	*My Name Is Red* by Orhan Pamuk Fiction. In 16th-century Istanbul, master miniaturist and illuminator of books Enishte Effendi is commissioned to illustrate a book celebrating the sultan. Soon he lies dead at the bottom of a well, and how he got there is the crux of this novel. My Name Is Red brings us into the very soul of Islamic thought as it is realized and articulated by a group of 16th century miniaturist painters who have been asked to construct an illustrated book not in traditional islamic style but in Venetian single-point perspective. Orhan Pamuk not only captures the world of 16th century Istanbul, but also is able to open an entire philosophy of art to Western readers. I was amazed by what I learned in the book - Topkapi Palace will never seem the same!
	A Short History of Byzantium by John Julius Norwich Non-Fiction. This is a must read for anyone interested in the empire that held Istanbul in its glory for 2,000 years. From Justinian to Mehmet the Great, this book reads like a soap opera of greed, deceit, murder and torture so horrific that it is hard to imagine it's non-fiction. One of the most interesting aspects of the book is the development of the Christian church - from the first church (Hagia Irene) in Istanbul, to the crusades, Mr. Norwich takes you through the politics of the Christian church. It took us about 2 days to read this book - we could not put it down!
	The Ottoman Turks by Justin McCarthy Non-Fiction. From the arrival of the Turks to Asia Minor to the Turkish Republic founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. It is a non-fiction history book, but reads easily because Mr. McCarthy is a master of narrative writing. You almost get the feeling that the fascinating story he is telling you is a story of his own experiences. It took us about a month to read and we loved every minute of it.
	The Ottoman Centuries by Lord Kinross Non Fiction. In this definitive history of the Ottoman Empire, Lord Kinross, historian and writer, focuses on the political and economic issues. At he same time describes his characters in all their extravagance, audacity, and ruthlessness. It is a big 617 pages that took us almost 4 months to finish, but it was worth the effort.
	Inside the Seraglio by John Freely John Freely's Inside the Seraglio is an enjoyable, engaging book. This look into the lives of the sultans during the Ottoman's period of decline is insightful and thought provoking. I especially like the dialogue that is exchanged during the scenes in which the sultans spend time in The House of Felicity. The mixture of erotica and historical fiction is a literary delight in this book. I recommend Inside the Seraglio to those who love the combination of the aforementioned genres.
	The Goddess and the Bull : Catalhoyuk: An Archaeological Journey to the Dawn of Civilization by Michael Balter "Why did humans bother to invent agriculture and settle down in such close quarters, instead of continuing to romp across the landscape, hunting and gathering?" As interesting as is Balter's attempt to understand and describe the lives of those who originally lived at Catalhoyuk-as many as 8000 at once!-I also enjoyed the parallel tale about the archaeologists from around the world who have devoted years of their lives to excavating the 9500-year-old village. I recommend this book, especially to those with an interest in Turkey, the Neolithic period, or archaeology.
	*1453 : The Holy War for Constantinople* by Roger Crowley This exceedingly well-written book gives a concise narrative history of the many years of conflict between the Byzantine Empire and the Ottomans, and then gets down to the business at hand, which is the retelling of the siege and fall of the city of Constantinople. There is much detail in an almost day-by-day account of the siege, but the book is written so well that it is never boring. Many new wrinkles to this old story are included in the book, so even those who knew the outline of the tale will find something they didn't know on almost every page. It's a tragic story, but there is heroism on both sides in this conflict. It is a good idea to read a book such as this these days when there is such a distance between Christian and Muslim. Both sides will learn something valuable for themselves.
	The Crusades Through Arab Eyes by Amin Maalouf Non-Fiction. A fascinating look at the familiar story of the Crusades in an unfamiliar way (for the vast majority of Western readers). The author manages to use the various Arab chroniclers and the, at times, complicated story they tell and turn it into a coherent, interesting, rich story of a people who watch as a mysterious invasion takes place and they first learn to deal with these strange invaders and later to expel them. This book will be of interest to those not completely familiar with European versions of the Crusades but for those who have read or studied the Crusades in other books this will be a truly dazzling eye-opener. An important book and an interesting read.
	The Fall of Constantinople 1453 by Stephen Runciman Non-Fiction. Runciman's account of the Fall of Constantinople is an excellent book to read. Beginning with the Ottoman advance into Europe in the later 14th century, and ultimately ending with the City's capture in 1453, he weaves a story that is both historically accurate as well as emotionally moving.
	Crescent and Star: Turkey Between Two Worlds by Stephen Kinzer Non-Fiction.Turkey's transformation into a Western-style democracy mark Kinzer's reflections on a country that sits geographically and culturally at the crossroads between Europe and Asia. Kinzer, the former New York Times Istanbul bureau chief, gives a concise introduction to Turkey: Kemal Ataterk's post-WWI establishment of the modern secular Turkish state and the odd makeup of contemporary society, in which the military enforces Ataturk's reforms. With a passionate love for the Turkish people and an optimism that its ruling class can complete the transformation into a democratic society, he devotes chapters to the problems he sees plaguing Turkish society.
	The Rage of the Vulture by Barry Unsworth Fiction. A novel which takes you back in time to Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1908, during the breakdown of the Ottoman Empire as the "Young Turk" revolution was approaching and when Abdul Hamid was the Ottoman Empire's last Sultan. If your hotel is anywhere in the "Pera" area, you should read this book. It is a good, fast, interesting read (took us a weekend to finish), but it gets a little boring at the end.
	*Anna of Byzantium* by Tracy Barrett FICTION 1ST CHOICE FOR KIDS (GIRLS) Anna of Byzantium tells the story of the rising and falling fortunes of Anna Comnena, a princess of the Byzantine Empire, and heir to the throne. The plot includes friendship, betrayal, power struggles, an assassination attempt, love, manipulation, and sibling rivalry, and is a fascinating glimpse into the political and family turmoil that Anna may have been caught up in.
	*Memed My Hawk* by Yasar Kamal FICTION 1ST CHOICE FOR KIDS (BOYS) Yashar Kemal is considered one of Turkey's greatest writers. Memed My Hawk is a story of a boy growing up in the Taurus highlands of Anatolia, driven by savage cruelty of the Agha, to become a champion to the poor. We love this book. It is a wonderful book for adults as well as children.
Recommended Travel Guides *for Turkey*
	Midnight Express - DVD movie starring *Brad Davis* Forever embroiled in controversy, Midnight Express divides viewers into opposing camps: those who think it's one of the most intense real-life dramas ever made, and those who abhor its manipulative tactics and alteration of facts for the exploitative purpose of achieving a desired effect. Either way, you most likely won't do drugs in Turkey.
	Gallipoli - DVD movie starring Mel Gibson An outstanding drama, Gallipoli resonates with sadness long after you have seen it. Set during World War I, this brutally honest antiwar movie was cowritten by director Peter Weir. Mark Lee and a sinfully handsome Mel Gibson are young, idealistic best friends who put aside their hopes and dreams.
	*Turkey Beyond the Maeander* by George E. Bean provides a thorough history of the Carian cities of southwest Anatolia including neighboring Caunus which adopted many Carian customs. NOT AVAILABLE. *Trekking in Turkey* by Marc Dubin and Enver Lucas is a Lonely Planet publication that describes many of the hiking routes in Turkey including the walk from Dalyan to Ekincik. Currently out of Print. NOT AVAILABLE. The Spring of the Ram by Dorothy Dunnett Get ready for a magic carpet ride. This fast-paced novel is set during the period immediately after the conquest of Constantinople, when the Byzantine empire struggled to survive in a corner of the Black Sea.