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Artwork for Turkey Book Talk

Turkey Book Talk

William Armstrong
Turkey
Erdogan
Ottoman Empire
Istanbul
PKK
Republic Of Turkey
European Union
AK Party
Turkish-Greek Relations
Syria
1001 Kisses
Middle East
Ekrem Imamoglu
Islamic Orders
Erotic Literature
Soviet Union
Turkish Literature
Gezi Park Protests
Islamism
National Narratives

Conversations with journalists, academics and writers on Turkey and its region. New episode every two weeks.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes250Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryNews

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Artwork for Turkey Book Talk

Latest Episodes

Brett Wilson on his article "Sufi Leaders in the early Turkish Republic: Profession, Privilege, and Persecution (1925-1950)". The piece studies the impact of the 1925 outlawing of Islamic religious orders, challenging the traditional idea of harsh se... more

Suzy Hansen on “From Life Itself: Turkey, Istanbul, and a Neighborhood in the Age of Erdoğan” (Farrar, Straus and Giroux). The book focuses on Istanbul's Karagumruk to explore the everyday impact of geopolitical upheaval, economic turbulence and the ... more

Faisal Devji on “Waning Crescent: The Rise and Fall of Global Islam” (Yale University Press). The book argues that in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Islam in countries including Turkey transformed into a modern ideological system like capita... more

Ryan Gingeras, author of “Mafia: A Global History” (Simon & Schuster) and “Heroin, Organized Crime, and the Making of Modern Turkey” (Oxford University Press), on the influence of criminal organisations in Turkey's political and economic life over th... more

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Recent Guests

Brett Wilson
Associate Professor of History and Public Policy at Central European University
Central European University
Episode: Brett Wilson on the myth and reality of modern Turkey's religious reforms
Suzy Hansen
Author; journalist and novelist focused on Turkey
Author of From Life Itself, Turkey, Istanbul, and A Neighborhood in the Age of Erdoğan
Episode: Suzy Hansen on Turkey and an Istanbul neighborhood in the age of Erdoğan
Faisal Devji
Professor of Global and Imperial History at Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Episode: Faisal Devji on the crisis of 'global Islam' in Turkey and elsewhere
Ryan Gingeras
Historian, author
Naval Postgraduate School
Episode: Ryan Gingeras on organised crime in Turkey's modern history
Mustafa Aksakal
Associate Professor of History at Georgetown University; author of The War That Made the Middle East
Georgetown University; Princeton University Press
Episode: Mustafa Aksakal on World War I and the end of the Ottoman Empire
Michelle Lynn Kahn
Associate Professor of Modern European History, author
University of Richmond
Episode: Michelle Lynn Kahn on Turkish migration to Germany
Murat Yıldız
Associate Professor of History at Skidmore College and author of The Ottoman World of Sports.
Skidmore College
Episode: Murat Yıldız on the Ottoman world of sports, modernisation and minorities
Berin Gür
Professor of Architecture at Ankara's TED University and author of 'The Conquest of Istanbul and the Manipulation of Architecture'
TED University
Episode: Berin Gür on the conquest of Istanbul in the Islamist-nationalist imagination
Adnan Khan
Journalist focusing on Turkey's waste industry and migration issues.
Episode: Adnan Khan on the human toll of Turkey's importing of Europe's waste

Host

William Armstrong
Host with expertise related to Turkish history, politics, and culture, conducting insightful interviews with academics, journalists, and authors.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 140 ratings
  • Nuanced, smart, informative

    This is the place to find out the latest research on Türkiye. I really appreciate the pacing of this podcast with zero small talk or platitudes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dr.Periwinkle
    United States10 months ago
  • A podcast for all Turkey enthusiasts

    William’s podcast is always a essential listening for me. Such variety of interesting research that is represented. Without this podcast, so much excellent work on Turkey would go undiscovered. This podcast really helps break down complex matters for the listener. Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tezcan Gumus
    Australia3 years ago
  • Highly recommended

    Best podcast on Turkish history, politics and culture available. Indispensable listening for anyone with an interest in Turkey.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PJCherry
    United Kingdom5 years ago
  • Essential for Turkey observers

    For context, history and the labyrinth in between, this is a must for anyone interested in Turkey. Every episode is of tremendous value. William is a skilled interviewer armed with great knowledge and even greater questions.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Diego Cupolo
    United States6 years ago
  • Great Podcast for Turkey Researchers

    It’s in the title, if you have an academic or general interest in Modern Turkey and the nearby region there is no better podcast. The conversations are always stimulating and it offers an easy way to keep abreast of recent publications in academic fields beyond your own that relate to Turkey and the Ottoman Empire. It’s both pleasure to listen to and an important service.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cevdetpaşa
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

For those interested in Turkish culture or current affairs, it is regarded as an essential resource.
Listeners praise the podcast for its intellectual depth and insightful analysis.
Many express appreciation for the varied perspectives offered by guests, enhancing their understanding of Turkey's complex history and contemporary issues.
Several reviews mention the podcast's ability to break down complex topics effectively, making them accessible and engaging.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Brett Wilson on the myth and reality of modern Turkey's religious reforms
Q: How does the Menemen uprising fit into the narrative?
The Menemen uprising is a clear example of state overreach in 1930, with mass detentions and executions for a small event, yet archives show that distrust and enforcement varied over time, and many Sufi leaders retained or regained state jobs later, suggesting a more nuanced pattern than blanket persecution.
Brett Wilson on the myth and reality of modern Turkey's religious reforms
Q: Are there specific examples of individuals who illustrate these paradoxes?
Yes. Mustafa Safet Yetkin (Mustafa Safet, last name Yetkin), a Şeyh from Urfa who studied at Al-Azhar and was active in the Ottoman ulama, continued public life in different capacities after 1925—ranging from parliamentary involvement to later mufti roles in Urfa, illustrating how elites navigated transformation while maintaining influence.
Brett Wilson on the myth and reality of modern Turkey's religious reforms
Q: Why was the 1925 law introduced and what were its implications?
The law emerged from a broader set of Kemalist reforms aimed at centralizing power, modernizing the state, and redefining public life. It effectively ended the formal status of Sufi orders, altered their social roles, and forced many leaders to adapt by taking state or educational positions or retiring with stipends, while some continued influence in other forms.
Faisal Devji on the crisis of 'global Islam' in Turkey and elsewhere
Q: Could you talk about the idea of Islamism as a Cold War ideology?
The guest argues that Islamist movements were shaped by global ideological battles of the 20th century, with early Islamist thinkers drawing on Bolshevik models to forge ideological parties, and that the Cold War helped institutionalize the Islamist ideology much as socialist ideologies were institutionalized in other contexts.
Faisal Devji on the crisis of 'global Islam' in Turkey and elsewhere
Q: What exactly does he mean by the Rise and Fall of Global Islam?
Devji explains that global Islam emerged in the 19th century as a response to colonial modernity, transforming Islam from a religious movement into an ideological and historical actor, with various phases including a civilizational–ideological framing, and later shifts toward identification as a political and state-like project.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Turkey Book Talk

What is Turkey Book Talk about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Conversations often revolve around Turkey's rich historical landscape, contemporary politics, and cultural dynamics, featuring discussions with a variety of experts including historians, political scientists, and journalists. Many episodes focus on specific topics such as the Ottoman Empire, cultural identity, and modern issues such as migration, nationalism, and gender rights, with an emphasis on how these themes connect to current events and societal changes in Turkey. Noteworthy is the profound engagement with academic literature, making it a significant resource for anyone interested in Turkish studies or regional politics.

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Which podcasts are similar to Turkey Book Talk?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Turkey Book Talk:

1. Recap radio
2. The LRB Podcast
3. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
4. Hold Your Fire!
5. Ones and Tooze

How many episodes of Turkey Book Talk are there?

Turkey Book Talk launched 11 years ago and published 250 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Turkey Book Talk?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Turkey Book Talk?

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What guests have appeared on Turkey Book Talk?

Recent guests on Turkey Book Talk include:

1. Brett Wilson
2. Suzy Hansen
3. Faisal Devji
4. Ryan Gingeras
5. Mustafa Aksakal
6. Michelle Lynn Kahn
7. Murat Yıldız
8. Berin Gür

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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