The Fall of the Ottomans: The Great War in the Middle East, 1914-1920 | 
pickI've been slowly plowing through this nonfiction for quite a while now. While interesting, it was a bit dry, and I can struggle with nonfiction in the best of circumstances haha While I didn't walk away with specific names and dates memorized, this did give me a good overview of Middle Eastern theater in WWI, a topic I knew pretty much nothing about going in. I was especially struck by the end of the book, seeing the foundations for many of the ⬇
#12Booksof2020 @Andrew65
This well researched book is a compelling account of a theatre of WWI I haven't read about,and from a different perspective-that of the Turkish army.His accounts of key battles leaves you on the edge of the seat,backed by beautiful maps to help you understand the geography.I learnt so much about the origins of the schisms dividing the Middle East.Hugely reinforces the "Lions led by donkeys" view of the leadership!
#WeekendReads @rachelsbrittain
1. The tagged book. Absolutely riveting.
2. Moonraker by Ian Fleming! Absolute cracker of a book
3. I guess Sweet Sorrow, by David Nicholls- set during summer holidays !
Have a good week!
Absolutely fascinating. So this is how all the pieces fall into place.
How fascinating. So TE Lawrence had an already disaffected populace with festering resentments to work with!
Lions led by donkeys alright. Amazing to know that Atatürk put his own life on the line and led from the front. At one of the foremost theatres of war, no less.
#WeekendReads @rachelsbrittain
1. Absolutely gripping ,tagged book.
2. Fierce attachments by Vivian Gornick! One of my favourite books this year.
3. I'm gifting my dad Agnes Poirier's book on the Left Bank, and my husband 2 notebooks- all of these ordered from Shakespeare & co. Paris! Can't wait for that!
I have long been interested in the Ottoman Empire. One of the most unique empires the world has ever seen! What's been going on in Syria, Palestine and Iraq has its roots in the Ottoman Empire and it's collapse during and after The Great War.
pickIn depth look at the Ottoman Empire involvement in WW1 leading to its eventual collapse. I would of liked more from the Ottomans point of view rather than the British. However a very interesting read especially around that theatre of war. 8/10
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