Culture Shock! Turkey

by Arn Bayraktaroglu and Arin Bayraktaroglu

Book Overview

Turkey is famous as a link between the East and West and for its rich and cosmopolitan culture, resulting from the expansive influence of the Ottoman Empire. Present-day Turkey is opening up as never... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1558682538
• ISBN13: 9781558682535
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Graphic Arts Books
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

good

If you are going to travel to Turkey - this is a quick read and the information is essential - don't want to be one of those 'ugly Americans' who haven't a clue they are insulting people right & left!

extremely enjoyable

This is not an academic book with pedantic overtones, nor is it a promotional book which shows only what the Turks would like the outsiders to see. One cannot claim it is a literary piece either, although it is dotted with some poetic expressions. Instead, it is an extremely enjoyable book with useful explanations and tips to prepare the reader for a variety of contexts and characteristics, well beyond the stereotypes. The style is chat-like and personal, the tone is level-headed.Certain things need updating. For instance, since the publication of this book, Istanbul has been introduced to a new subway system and a second bridge. The author, however, excels in the description of the national spirit and the cultural features, which do not change so easily. Furthermore, local characteristics such as the vitality of an Istanbul street, the rustic colours of the intercity areas, the serenity of the old graveyards on the Bosphorus, the slow-paced offices of the state sector, the friendly `corner-shop`, etc. are so vividly portrayed that ones feels as if one strolling through these places.I think it is an essential text for not only those who are planning to settle down in Turkey, but also those who are going there on a short visit.