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Andrew Mango
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Atatürk: The Biography of the Founder of Modern Turkey Kindle Edition

by Andrew Mango (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 205 ratings
A “superlative [and] exhaustively researched” biography of “one of the most complex and controversial figures in twentieth-century world history” (Library Journal).

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was virtually unknown until 1919, when he took the lead in thwarting the victorious Allies’ plan to partition the Turkish core of the Ottoman Empire. He divided the Allies, defeated the last Sultan, and secured the territory of the Turkish national state, becoming the first president of the new republic in 1923, fast creating his own legend. This revealing portrait of Atatürk throws light on matters of great importance today—resurgent nationalism, religious fundamentalism, and the reality of democracy.

“One of the world’s most respected specialists on Turkey.” —The New York Times

“Mango gives this man, one of the least-known nation-builders of the last century, full treatment, from his earliest days to his ascension to power and his death, from cirrhosis at the age of 57. Few leaders have so modernized an ancient society, instituting radical changes in dress, religion, government, education—even the alphabet . . . Mango’s admiration for Ataturk doesn’t keep him from displaying the dictator’s arrogance, ruthlessness and authoritarianism; his Turkish expertise enables him to flesh out Ataturk’s complex life via sources he translated himself . . . a rounded, finely detailed portrait.” —Publishers Weekly

“Thanks to Andrew Mango’s new biography, the best in the English language, a man both demonized and idolized appears to us in three dimensions.” —The Washington Post

“A superb biography.” —Dallas Morning News

“The best concise account I have ever seen of the decline of the Ottoman Empire. The narrative is gripping.” —Geoffrey Lewis, author of Modern Turkey
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  1. Print length
    687 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    ABRAMS Press
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    August 26, 2002
  6. File size
    10.2 MB
  7. Page Flip
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  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Andrew Mango was born in Istanbul. He wrote his first article on Turkey for the Political Quarterly in 1957. Since then he has published dozens of articles, as well as two general introductions to Turkey. He is the author, most recently, of Turkey: The Challenge of a New Role (1994).

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07NJ2L85F
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ ABRAMS Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 26, 2002
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 10.2 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 687 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1590209240
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 205 ratings

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Andrew Mango

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4.4 out of 5 stars
205 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this biography well-researched and thoroughly detailed, with one customer noting it provides a wealth of new understanding of Turkey. The book receives positive feedback for its readability, with one customer describing every page as exciting. The writing style receives mixed reactions, with some customers finding it well-written while others say it feels like a textbook.

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29 customers mention "Readability"25 positive4 negative

Customers find the book readable and important, with one customer noting that every page is exciting.

"This is an important book to understand how a Muslim country can modernize under what was essentially a benevolent president for life...." Read more

"...The book is close to 700 pages, excellent photos, and a joy to read. Want to know how Turkey came into the modern age? Read this biography." Read more

"...Anyway very good references and notes, a useful alphabetical index with names, places and topics, a chronology, and reasoned bibliography are making..." Read more

"...There is a large section at back of book that one can use to find info on issue they may be interested in." Read more

19 customers mention "Depth"17 positive2 negative

Customers appreciate the depth of the biography, describing it as thoroughly researched with many details and interesting stories.

"...Ataturk was one of the most important men of the 20th century when you consider he created a relatively progressive country with education, women's..." Read more

"...and notes, a useful alphabetical index with names, places and topics, a chronology, and reasoned bibliography are making this 666 pages work super..." Read more

"...is a very detailed history, including names of associates, political intrigues, battles, who moved what troops where, etc, but short on the reforms..." Read more

"...for the man as the remarkably canny, far-sighted, and determined founder of modern Turkey, even as it revealed to me his inevitable (human) faults...." Read more

7 customers mention "Biography"7 positive0 negative

Customers praise this biography of Ataturk, describing him as a fascinating individual.

"...Ataturk is a fascinating individual who dictated wideranging reforms...." Read more

"Fascinating person, fascinating era...." Read more

"An excellent biography of an amazing and inspirational human-being whose views are extremely relevant for the modern world today. Highly recommended!" Read more

"Love the books, stories and remembrances of Ataturk." Read more

10 customers mention "Writing style"6 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style of the book, with some finding it well written while others compare it to a textbook and say it's a hard read.

"...Anyway very good references and notes, a useful alphabetical index with names, places and topics, a chronology, and reasoned bibliography are making..." Read more

"Very detailed biography. Well written, but probably more detail than I needed." Read more

"...Felt more like a text but at the end of the massive book, I finally had a vague understanding of Ataturk and his life...." Read more

"...A good bio and history. Good writing." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Terry S. Nelson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Important book
    Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This is an important book to understand how a Muslim country can modernize under what was essentially a benevolent president for life. Ataturk was one of the most important men of the 20th century when you consider he created a relatively progressive country with education, women's rights, decent economy and separated religion from politics. He was the military savior of the country during and after World War One, and then instituted reforms which brought a backward decaying Ottoman Empire into the 20th century to become an important country and ally for the west. Overlooked both in this book and historically, Ataturks Turkey essentially stopped the spread of Stalins communism into the Middle East. He played off the competing aggressive interests of the West and Russia brilliantly. His political timing was also remarkable as he rose from modest beginnings to military leader and then political leadership against all odds. He is an important leader to understand in today's world. The Middle East could use more like him.
    38 people found this helpful
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  • rick, montana
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is THE Ataturk
    Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2023
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    Spent 18 months in Turkey, and no one is more beloved of his people than Mustafa Kamal Ataturk. This biography I've waited since I left there in 1962. I've read other biographies, but none better. I'd also like to offer my extreme gratitude to the seller. The book was a price within my means, and it said it was "good". They were wrong, this is a pristine copy, like brand new, ahead of schedule. Thank you so much. The book is close to 700 pages, excellent photos, and a joy to read. Want to know how Turkey came into the modern age? Read this biography.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Parasite Conspiracy
    4.0 out of 5 stars probably the best if compared to similar works
    Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2014
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    A well documented bibliography, probably the best if compared to similar works, by the recently deceased british, but Turkey born author Andrew Mango. The only critic i can find is about the writer's style that's a little bit repetitive. Anyway very good references and notes, a useful alphabetical index with names, places and topics, a chronology, and reasoned bibliography are making this 666 pages work super accessible. to any approach.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Lyn Immel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Educational book on Ataturk and Turkey
    Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2023
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    I had never heard of Ataturk until I went on trip to Turkey with a tour group some years ago. I was so impressed how progressive he was with women's rights including how they dressed. There is a large section at back of book that one can use to find info on issue they may be interested in.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Obidos
    3.0 out of 5 stars Too Much History, Not Enough Phylosophy
    Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2008
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    This is an excellent book for what it is---but it was not quite what I was looking for. Ataturk is a fascinating individual who dictated wideranging reforms. I wanted to know how and why he came by his phylosophies--other than he believed the church was a huge detriment to society.

    This is a very detailed history, including names of associates, political intrigues, battles, who moved what troops where, etc, but short on the reforms and their reasons. For example, page 468, "An obedient assembly continued to pass laws imported from Europe: court procedure was reformed, the German commercial code and Swiss law on bankruptcy were adopted; agricultural cooperatives were established". This is the only mention of any of these important things in the entire book.

    I'm certainly don't regret reading it and I learned a great deal. Now I need a book that goes into all the changed Ataturk made. If someone has a recommendation, pleas email me.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Will Jerom
    5.0 out of 5 stars Truly impressive
    Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2010
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    Content Summary: This book is sweeping in scope, beginning with the Ottoman period just before World War One, and outlining the major CUP leaders who rebelled against and effectively ended the power of the monarchy. Ataturk would later of course finish that job, abolishing the sultan and caliph positions permanently. Mango focuses mostly on the political and military life of Ataturk, as well as religious and linguistic reforms ushered in. He also comments on Ataturk's social life and personal thoughts and habits. Mango is to be commended for such a comprehensive job, with some summary and comments about the legacy of Ataturk later.

    Analytical Review: This is a big book, but it reads like and even longer book because it is so crammed with details and names. Readers will likely find themselves paging for names and geographical sources, a convenient summary of short biographies appears at the end for assistance. A very enlightening book, which only the patient and interested reader should pick up - but those will find it immensely rewarding.
    14 people found this helpful
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  • Larry N. Stout
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cogent and eye-opening
    Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2013
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    I had a naive view of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk before reading this thoroughgoing biography. The book has reinforced my admiration for the man as the remarkably canny, far-sighted, and determined founder of modern Turkey, even as it revealed to me his inevitable (human) faults. The book also provides a wealth of new understanding of Turkey at the end of Ottoman days, through to the end of Ataturk's life, and beyond. You might well be surprised to learn, as I was, that Turks had no surnames before 1934, and that Ataturk, despite his adamant rationalism, resorted to bizarre invented mythology regarding the history of Turkic peoples in Anatolia; and to learn that modern Turkish language is in large part an invention, incorporating Turkified terms borrowed from European (i.e., "civilized") languages, so that the high Ottoman language of Ataturk's family of origin (in Salonica, not Anatolia) is unintelligible to speakers of the modern Turkish idiom. Unlike some highfalutin bios, this very nice specimen is not strained by pretentious overanalysis, either of the man or his times. Highly recommended.
    6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • uday shankar
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book should be part of collection
    Reviewed in India on June 3, 2018
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    Excellent book and very objective in analysis
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  • Aydin
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Father of Modern Day Turkey
    Reviewed in Canada on August 6, 2018
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    Great book on Ataturk founder of modern day Turkey.
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  • Haider Husaini
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in India on September 26, 2016
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    Very thorough book, amazingly written,gives a lucid picture of turkey's past
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  • Claude Couillard
    5.0 out of 5 stars very good book
    Reviewed in Canada on November 22, 2011
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    very good book and I recommand it to my friends
    It came by mail in a very good state and will be nice to read soon.
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