The Red Rugs of Tarsus: A Woman's Record of the Armenian Massacre of 1909

"The Red Rugs of Tarsus: A Woman's Record of the Armenian Massacre of 1909" by Helen Davenport Gibbons is a firsthand narration of a cataclysmic period, documenting the Armenian massacres of 1909 as seen by an American woman living in the heart of it. The book intimately recounts her personal interactions within the Armenian community and expresses the perils they encountered. The narrative begins by immersing readers in the cultural norms of Tarsus during a hopeful period of early married life. This introduction shows Gibbons's growing awareness of the political restlessness and her deepening anxieties for the well-being of the Armenian people. Through descriptive storytelling, the book brings to life her relationships, the subtle political signals, and paints the growing dread leading up to the massacres. She balances personal introspection with an increasing sense of urgency, as the shadow of impending doom falls over the lives of the Armenian people.