The Young Atatürk

Mustafa Kemal - latterly and better known as Ataturk - is without doubt the towering figure of modern Turkish history. But what was his path to power? And how did his early career as a soldier in the Ottoman army affect his later decisions as President? The Young Ataturk tracks the lesser covered period of Kemal's life - from the War of Independence to the founding of the Republic - and shows that it is only by understanding Kemal's military career that one can fully comprehend how he evolved as one of the twentieth century's most extraordinary statesmen. Delving into Kemal's military writings, orders, and political decisions, speeches, proclamations and private correspondences, this book provides a rounded and nuanced portrait of the making of a major statesman.

George W. Gawrych is Professor of History at Baylor University, USA. GEORGE W. GAWRYCH is Historian on the faculty of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, a position he has held since July 1984. He taught at the University of Hawaii, the University of Kansas, and the School of International Studies at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. His publications on modern Middle East history include articles in academic journals and two short monographs published by the U.S. Army. In November 1989, he received the Turkish Studies Association's biennial prize for the best published article in Turkish Studies.

List of Images List of Maps List of Abbreviations Introduction 1. The Making of an Ottoman Soldier 2. The Great War and an Imperialist Peace 3. Developing a Resistance 4. The Grand National Assembly 5. A Crisis in Battle 6. Commander in Chief 7. From Lightning Campaign to Peace Conclusion Notes Biographical Notes of Key Figures Bibliography Index