Turkish Awakening : Behind the Scenes of Modern Turkey

Born in London to a Turkish mother and British father, Alev Scott moved to Istanbul to discover what it means to be Turkish in a country going through rapid political and social change. From the extraordinary legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk to the ever more surprising present under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, this is the story of discovering a complex country from the outside-in—a candid account of overturned preconceptions and fresh understanding.

From the European buzz of modern-day Constantinople to the Arabic-speaking towns of the south-east, Turkish Awakening investigates mass migration, urbanisation and economics in a country moving swiftly towards a new position on the world stage. Through wide-ranging interviews and colourful personal experience, the author charts the evolving course of a country bursting with surprises—none more dramatic than the unexpected political protests of 2013 in Taksim Square, which brought to light the emerging demands of a newly awakened Turkish people.

Encompassing topics as varied as Aegean camel wrestling, transgender prostitution, politicised soap operas and riot tourism, this is a revelatory, at times humorous, at times moving portrait of a country which is coming of age. Against a backdrop of regional tensions from Syria, Iraq and the approaching danger of ISIS, Scott captures a powerful nation undergoing profound social, economic and physical transformation.