Our Favourite Books about the Country of Turkey

Books are powerful. A combination of written words can change our lives, thoughts, or beliefs. In some scenarios, they are simply there to be informative, like a travel guide. Whether it relays information or evokes emotions, travel guides are a useful tool for informing us about the country we will travel to.

However, in the case, of Turkey, there are many good history and storybooks focusing on culture, which will also enhance your visit. From well-known Turkish authors to ancient travellers, we list our seven favourite authors and/or books that you should read, before visiting Turkey

Seven books / authors focusing on the history & culture of Turkey

Orhan Pamuk

Words written by Orhan Pamuk are enough to provoke reactions, from winning a Nobel peace prize, to facing trial for his work. Many of his books focus on Istanbul, the city where he grew up. One of his most widely sold books, was “My Name is Red.” Set in 16^th century Istanbul, it was translated into 24 languages.

Another recommended read, is “Istanbul. Memories and the City.” In this book, Orham Pamuk talks about his childhood and elder generations, who experienced turmoil during the earlier part of the 20^th century, when the Ottoman dynasty fell apart.

Elif Safak

Elif is Turkey’s bestselling female author, who is well known for her novels, portraying many cultures within Turkish society, including Armenian and Kurdish. She is another writer who focuses often on Istanbul within her stories but one novel that I thoroughly enjoyed was “Honour.”

Set in the 1970s, it portrays the lives of a Kurdish family, split between London and Turkey, who are trying to adapt to Western influences, while maintaining their traditions and culture. The ending is a magnificent twist to the characters’ lives.

Giles Milton – Paradise Lost

Giles Milton is well known for story plotlines, based on historical facts. In the book called Paradise Lost, he portrays the lives of Levantine families in Izmir at the turn of the 20^th century. They lived side by side with Armenian, Kurdish, Jews, and Turks, but unfortunately, the Turkish war of Independence, destroyed the cultural set up that until then had worked perfectly.

Louis De Bernieres – Birds Without Wings

Although the author has never confirmed it, many suspect the setting for this book, was infact the ghost village of Kayakoy on the Mediterranean coast. Set during the Turkish war of independence, this book is for the true romantics, as it tells of the love between a boy and girl, even though she is a Christian and he is a Muslim.

Freya Stark

Born in 1893, Freya stark was one of the world first woman solo travellers. She toured numerous countries including Turkey, and her work was one of the first travel guides to the country. Titles include

Ionia: A Quest: (1954) This book was one of Freya’s first about Turkey

The Lycian Shore: A Turkish Odyssey: (1956) This book is about the history of the Lycian kingdom in Turkey

Alexander’s Path: (1958) Following the footsteps of Alexander the Great

Riding to the Tigris : ( 1959) Focusing on Freya’s travels through South Eastern Turkey

Rome on the Euphrates: The Story of a Frontier (1966) An exploration into history of the Roman Empire in the Euphrates area of Turkey

Turkey: A Sketch of Turkish History (1971) A collection of Freya’s favourite places in Turkey including the diverse city of Istanbul.

Mark Twain – Innocents Abroad

As one of the world’s greatest writers, there is no need to describe the work of Mark Twain. This book, instead of being a story, tells about his travels in 1867. Included within the travel guide, is his visit to Constantinople, of which he surprisingly hated. You can read the chapters focusing on Turkey here

Chapter XXXIII – Arriving in Istanbul : Cripples, the Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazaar

Chapter XXXIV – Slave girls, commercial morals, street dogs, Turkish lunch, bath and coffee

Chapter XXXVIII – Return to Constantinople

Chapter XXXIX – Visiting Symrna (Izmir)

Chapter XL – Ephesus and the seven sleepers

Evliya Celebi

Known as the Ottoman traveller, Evliya Celebi eagerly explored the Middle East during the 17th century. His tales were published in a book titled “Seyâhatnâme.” You can read the book free here or alternatively, anyone who does not like the old fashioned style of writing, would be better to source a biography.