• Ataturk: A Biography by Lord Kinross – Provides information for understanding modern Turkey

• Muhammad by Karen Armstrong – A vivid and detailed biography that presents a balanced view of prophet Muhammad whose influence continues to dramatically affect the course of history

• Memed, My Hawk by Yashar Kemal – Young boy fights small-town corruption in the 1930s

• Poems of Nazim Hikmet – translated by Randy Blassing and Mutlu Konuk

• Regards from the Dead Princess by Kenize Mourad – Real life story of an Ottoman Princess written by the grand daughter

• Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain – An entertaining account of Twain’s travels 130 years ago, check out the chapter on Turkey

• A Fez of the Heart by Jeremy Seal – An interesting attempt to get to the origin of the fez, but also an intimate portrail of Turkey’s sights and people

• The White Castle by Orhan Pamuk – Historical novel set in 17th century Istanbul

• Istanbul: Memories and the City by Orhan Pamuk – Some say he is the Turkish novelist to win the Nobel prize one day, we say we are doubtful

• Byzantium by John Julius Norwich – history of the Byzantine Empire

• Mythology, Timeless Tales of Gods and Heros by Edith Hamilton – story of the Greek divinities in current day language

• The New Testament – particularly Ephesians, Revelation and Acts

• Cadogan Guide to Turkey – Easy to read blend of historical information and practical advice

• Let’s Go: Turkey – Good budget info, useful for all

• Lonely Planet: Turkey

• Video series on Byzantium – documentary, based on the books of John Julius Norwich - for history buffs

• Topkapi, starring Peter Ustinov – trying to steal the dagger from the palace treasury

• Abduction from the Seraglio, opera by Mozart

• Istanbul Kanatlarimin Altinda - Istanbul Under My Wings – the dramatized story of Hazerfan, the first man ever to fly – and intercontinental! - in history

• Borrowed Bride by Atif Yilmaz – a new Turkish movie about an interesting tradition that died long ago

for more information on any of these books and material, check out amazon.com

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