The Rebirth of Turkey

"The Rebirth of Turkey" by Clair Price is a historical exploration of Turkey's dramatic shift from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire into a modern nation. The narrative zeroes in on Mustapha Kemal Pasha, later known as Atatürk, painting a portrait of his leadership as he navigates conflicting Eastern and Western influences to reshape his country after World War I. Beginning with the author's anticipation of meeting Kemal in Angora, the story sets the stage in the heart of the Grand National Assembly, capturing the essence of Kemal's character—a blend of military prowess and a forward-thinking vision focused on economic growth rather than constant conflict after the war. Kemal's ambitious goals for Turkey's future come into question, as the book considers the difficulties of introducing progressive Western concepts to a society with deep-seated traditions, examining the uncertain path of Turkey's rebirth amid the postwar world.