Turkish Odyssey
A Cultural Guide to Türkiye
For intrepid travelers looking to knowledgeably connect with Turkey, keeping its multilayered history in mind, Turkish Odyssey is an invaluable guide.
Serif Yenen’s invigorating culture and travel guide Turkish Odyssey presents one of civilization’s crossroads through its heritage, history, and noteworthy sites.
This elegant three-volume boxed set, inspired by Yenen’s desire to explore Turkey from a native’s perspective, honors the storied land bridge by telling a lucid history of how the country, situated between Asia and the West, grew to incorporate the medley of influences seen there in contemporary times. First considering its Anatolian people, starting with their paleolithic origins, on through classical empires and the creation of the Republic of Türkiye, the books turn toward examining places of interest for modern travelers.
The first volume’s retrospective through the archaeological three-age system draws positive emphasis on how time is integral to understanding places. Amid its thorough research, fascinating tidbits regarding antiquities, such as the use of clay envelopes, enliven people’s everyday lives. And other artifacts and burial sites are shown to tell as much about the materials that were sourced to make them as they do about people’s values in evolving societies.
Elsewhere, topics as eclectic as shadow plays and the Van region’s distinctive heterochromic cats reveal some of Turkey’s curious features. Silk making and Islamic decorative arts are addressed too. The social aspects of the culture are covered in sections about marriage and family. Noticeable in their relative absence, though, are sections concerning regional gastronomy and Turkey’s famed embroidery and carpet weaving. As a result, the focus is less on the domestic than on vast ideas surrounding culture, such as turnovers in power as evidenced through archaeological excavations and monumental buildings. Throughout, travel is implied to be an immersive undertaking that entails more than checking off lists of tourist hot spots: It’s an educational way to connect to a multilayered history.
The accessible information is organized under clear headings, and color photographs spotlight the country’s museum objects, ruins, and natural landscapes like Mount Ararat. A series of “Did You Know?” sidebars enhances the text, while timelines mark pivotal events in Turkey’s development. A “Glossary of Turkish Culture” lists useful terminology, and ribbon bookmarks complement the high-quality papers and bindings.
The second and third volumes comprise a survey of Istanbul, Troy, Cappadocia, and other cities, with a focus on landmarks including the Hagia Sophia, covered, in part, via beautiful illustrated floor plans. Descriptions of lavish interiors and artwork appear alongside the stories and myths behind their creations, rewarding close reading. Mosaics in particular receive ample coverage. And Christian history, including a note about Saint Paul, is addressed in time with related churches and ruins. From its palaces and bazaars to its theaters and mosques, Turkey is positioned as a remarkable place.
Turkish Odyssey is a generous guidebook that celebrates a country’s ancient splendors.
Reviewed by
Karen Rigby
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
