Mango fills the pages with interesting anecdotal stories and covers all the intrigue and relational conflict one would expect between strong personalities vying for control of a new nation. The book is divided into five parts as follows: “Ataturk was born in Salonica in 1880/1 into a family which was Muslim, Turkish-speaking and precariously middle-class.” With these words Chapter 1 begins and sets the tone for the rest of the story as all three of these descriptive characteristics will play a role in one way or another in the development of Ataturk and the Turkish Republic. He articulates the reasons behind the Ottoman decline and the nascent forces seeking reform (for a complete picture read The Ottoman Centuries: The Rise and Fall of the Turkish Empire Mango’s detailed work begins with a description of the Ottoman Empire at the time leading up to Ataturk’s birth (do not skip the Preface and Introduction as they are helpful in setting the context). I put this book as one of the five must-reads (click here for other book recommendations) for anyone who desires to understand Turkey and the Turks as well as many of the challenges they are currently facing. I am not sure that the Turkish version is the same as the English version. I was actually surprised to find this book translated into Turkish at a bookstore in Ankara.

Mango is clearly a fan but does not shy away from describing Ataturk’s flaws and weaknesses as well as his strengths. In American schools (at least in the 80’s and 90’s) we covered the finest minutiae regarding Hitler and Mussolini (fascinating and horrible men) and totally ignored the man who took a country in shambles and led it into the 20th century, a great leader whether it be war, politics, or diplomacy. As an American I kept asking myself why I had never studied Ataturk in school. I enjoy Mango’s style and found the book riveting. BUT given that we are talking about one of the greatest men of the 20th century, the book did not feel long. The first thought everyone (that may be a bit of a reach but I have long arms) has when looking at this book is, “Will it fit in my carry-on luggage?” At 622 pages including notes it is quite a tome. Click here to see the winners.Ītaturk: The Biography of the Founder of Modern Turkey by Andrew Mango See who won a free copy of Ataturk: The Biography of the Founder of Modern Turkey by Andrew Mango.

Atatürk by Andrew Mango