This revised edition builds upon and updates its twin themes of Turkey's continuing incorporation into the capitalist world and the modernization of state and society. It begins with the forging of closer links with Europe after the French Revolution, and the changing face of the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century. Zürcher argues that Turkey's history between 1908 and 1950 should be seen as a unity, and offers a strongly revisionist interpretation of Turkey's founding father, Kemal Atatürk. In his account of the period since 1950, Zürcher focuses on the growth of mass politics; the three military coups; the thorny issue of Turkey's human right's record; the alliance with the West and relations with the European Community; Turkey's ambivalent relations with the Middle East; the increasingly explosive Kurdish question; and the continuing political instability and growth of Islam.
'...a valuable addition to scholarly literature.' - Andrew Mango, TLS
'exceptionally well-written and offering a perspective that is unique in the field of Turkish studies.' - Donald Quataert, State University of New York at Binghamton
'a very valuable book which should interest a wide readership...as a text book it meets a very real need: there is no real rival.' - William Hale, SOAS, University of London
