Book Description

Though in the preface the author notes scholarly references by French and German writers that he consulted, much of the material comes from "information acquired at first hand in the country". The book does not discuss the Young Turk Revolution to any great extent, but rather the challenges facing the reformers as they attempt to implement a number of changes, including balancing the demands of minorities/secessionist areas, secularizing the government, international relations, finances, women's rights, national defense, the Baghdad railway, etc. Aflalo does not refrain from making judgments of the people he discusses, particularly the deposed sultan and conservative forces within the country. He also compares the country often to Meiji Japan, both in describing why Turkey's reform era is different and in which lessons to draw from that nation.