The Endless Country
A Personal Journey Through Turkey's First Hundred Years
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Pan Macmillan
Published:27th Jun '24
Should be back in stock very soon
Through personal anecdotes and historical insights, The Endless Country offers a rich exploration of Turkey's diverse past and vibrant present.
In The Endless Country, Sami Kent presents an intimate and riveting portrait of modern Turkey, intertwining memoir, politics, and history. The narrative begins with a personal journey as Kent returns to the nation his father left behind decades ago, exploring the complexities of a land rich in stories and experiences. Rather than focusing solely on prominent figures like Erdogan or Atatürk, the author delves deeper, revealing a tapestry of history that is as intricate and layered as Turkey's beloved künefe dessert.
The book captures the bewildering diversity of Turkey's past through a series of vivid anecdotes and observations. From the tales of tiny weightlifters to the world's largest prison, and from a failed socialist commune to the unexpected success of orchid ice cream, Kent paints a picture of a nation filled with contrasting ideas, struggles, and triumphs. Each chapter serves as a tribute to the people who have shaped Turkey's identity, showcasing their resilience and creativity.
The Endless Country is not just a historical account; it is a celebration of human experiences that breathe life into the narrative. Kent's engaging storytelling invites readers to see Turkey through a personal lens, making history feel alive and relatable. This book is a rich exploration of a country that continues to evolve, offering insights that resonate with anyone interested in understanding the complexities of modern Turkey.
The Endless Country is a resoundingly successful attempt to tell Turkey’s history – the first 100 years since the founding of the republic – through Kent’s own story of coming back to the land of his father. But more than that: by talking to people and visiting places involved with each decade of that century, Kent brings the past alive * Guardian *
This is surely how history should be told – human, fun, alive * Telegraph *
Captivating. Kent effortlessly weaves travels that are close to his heart into a bigger story of Turkey’s past and present -- Mishal Husain
Sami Kent's journey in search of his father's country yields a rich, spellbinding book: dense with people, stories, history, colour, lived experience. He is a beguiling and charming guide through the complexities of Turkey. The book is alive on every page. -- Neel Mukherjee, Booker Prize-shortlisted author of The Lives of Others
A must-read for anyone who wants to understand Turkey . . . from a touching family biography to a wonderful travelogue to an excellent treatise of Turkey’s rich and complicated political history -- Soner Çagaptay, author of Erdogan's Empire
Turkey's complicated first century comes to life through Sami Kent's judiciously chosen stories, which he tells with compassion and depth alongside his search for the meaning of his own heritage . . . It is hard to find a more complete insight into a country that few writers really know, and even fewer can explain. -- Hannah Lucinda Smith, author of Erdogan Rising
[Kent] leverages his journalistic acumen to offer a vivid and nuanced portrait of the nation . . . * The Daily Star *
An insightful, moving and beautifully crafted portrait of a nation * Literary Review *
ISBN: 9781529099263
Dimensions: 245mm x 163mm x 31mm
Weight: 546g
336 pages