Former Turkish Military Chief İlker Başbuğ Explains Historical Turning Points in New Book

Former Turkish Armed Forces Chief of Staff İlker Başbuğ has released a new book, 'The Great Transformation Within Half a Century (1789-1839),' offering a fresh perspective on a pivotal historical period.

Published by Kırmızı Kedi Yayınevi, the work delves into the complex events of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, focusing on the intertwined histories of the Ottoman Empire and European nations. Başbuğ employs a comparative analysis method, a core principle he highlights from Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace," arguing that understanding events in isolation is fundamentally flawed.

Başbuğ's new study tackles significant historical questions: Was economics the primary driver behind the American Revolution and the French Revolution? Was the Ottoman state a religious state? How did figures like Lev Tolstoy and Napoleon view history? The book also scrutinizes key decisions, such as Sultan Mahmud II's 18-year delay in abolishing the Janissary corps and the differing timelines for establishing military academies in the Ottoman Empire and Egypt.

The author emphasizes that the book avoids glorifying historical figures or demonizing opponents. Instead, it encourages readers to consider the circumstances, motivations, and potential choices of all parties involved. By examining these historical turning points, Başbuğ aims to illuminate the origins of revolutionary shifts that continue to influence the present day, offering a narrative that feels like an immersive journey rather than a dry history lesson.

“

Fransız Devrimi bırakın 19. yüzyılı, bugünü bile etkilemektedir!