Customer Reviews:
 Balanced but critical for the sake of being critical April 28, 2006
Emre Yigit (Istanbul)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
This is the first major biography of Ataturk after Kinross's 1960s opus. Unlike Kinross - whose book has been called hagiographical - this one deliberately approaches the subject with from a critical viewpoint. In places, this is apt, and leads to a better understanding of the consequences of certain actions. In others, it appears to place the author himself into the category of "those who can't, criticise". For that latter reason, I found the book to be vaguely unsettling, since all too often, the author starts taking himself and his criticism so seriously that the subject matter gets obscured. In addition, in an attempt to trump Kinross, Mango sometimes loses himself in cul-de-sacs; for example, Ataturk's love life is certainly interesting (and more varied than reported here) but is about as relevant to describing the man as is a study of Stalin's mistresses during the purges. Indeed, there is precious little here that is new or original, merely more detail which previous biographers appear to have chosen (wisely) to ignore. Moreover, the book sometimes resembles an autopsy rather than a biography. Calm, detached and clinical, yes, but with all the charm of an umeployment claim form. Mango's writing style is certainly less fluid and nowhere near as entertaining as Kinross's.
The superlatives piled on by the official reviews are a trifle overblown. I would recommend this book, but even more, the Kinross biography.
 Right to the heart of Ataturk April 20, 2006
Alan Yali (london United Kingdom)
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
A readable and absorbing insight into the life of the savior of Turkey, and founder of the modern Republic. His personal courage, crystal clear vision, unwavering love of nation, iron unshakable will, unending energy, and political genius are all fully illustrated. Also his empathy with the common Turk, his open and honest morals, his humour, and his disregard for his own safety even in battle, all show why he is still revered today. Andrew Mango has written an unmissable classic. His understanding of the subject shines through in almost all he writes, and in a style that warms the reader, even during the slower passages. But it must be said that Kinross' book still sets the standard,.... just.
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