meander Books

As an undergraduate social work student, I dreaded my policy class. I thought it would be so dry. However, I found myself getting caught up in the narrative of this book. It provides so much information that really ought to be taught in history classes. The development of America as a nation, the political forces that shaped it, and the legitimacy of other political points of view make so much more sense to me now.

Truly good angling storytellers are scarce. Stale writing has become commonplace. Thank goodness Seth Norman has served us up this fresh, sumptuous repast. His lyrical and lively style is unique, yet it contains a quality found in the works of the late Edward Abbey and Roderick Haig-Brown. Zesty, unabashed, and compassionate. Is that possible? Read, in particular, Chapter 5 ("Where We Learn Things") and Chapter 7 ("Lion in the Grass"). Over the course of a few dozen pages you will, at once, smile and then feel a tear on your cheek. Highly Recommended!

Great size, good layout. This is invaluable to anyone with more than one password to remember.

I have been to Turkey and enjoy reading about it. This book was absolutely wonderful. If you are planning a trip, this book is a must buy. It would also be good for an armchair traveler. It tells it all--places to see, the people, the culture, etc. Now that I read it, I can't wait to return. One of the best travel books I have ever seen. And it includes a wonderful CD...can't get better than that.

My husband and I found this book invaluable preparing for and during our recent trip to Turkey. The historical and cultural perspective provided by this book increased our enjoyment of this extraordinary country. The author's detailed overview of Turkey, past and present, gives the reader first hand knowledge that would be difficult to obtain elsewhere. The book includes many special discoveries (eg.small towns off the beaten track but near often over crowded tourist destinations to capture the essence of the warm and welcoming people). In addition, Serif Yenen is a highly regarded guide of his country (for 18 years), leads an organiztion of 1100 licensed guides, and writes a weekly column for a Turkish newspaper. I also recommend the CD - it's very useful and easy to use.

I join the other reviewers in STRONGLY recommending this book which I bought on my recent trip to Turkey. I don't remember coming up in my search for books on Turkey before we left although I confess I was searching Barnes and Noble and not Amazon. Our tour guide is one of the contributors, so I was a little reticent when he recommended it. I'm so glad I got the book as it is as much a souvenir as it was helpful while we were there. The history Mr. Yenen (who I met in Cappadocia) gives was more than adequate for a casual tourist. This is in contrast to a couple of the books I bought in which I got lost. It is SO much more than a guide book -- it may be a little short on recent historical issues, but it more than makes up for with its key words and phrases in Turkish, its historical information, and its cultural information. BUY THIS BOOK!

Having Sherif Yenen's book at hand is like having access to a first rate tourist guide whenever desired. The book is not your run of the mill guidebook but is, rather, an extensive treatment of Turkish culture and history which is worth reading even by those not contemplating a trip. These sections are followed by discussions of the "sights" in the various parts of the country. The book is embellished by splendid photographs many of which were taken by the author. All in all a Turkish Delight.

i am in Turkey, ending a tour of this fascinating country. i had the great, good fortune of having Serif Yenen as my tour director, which i was unaware of beforehand. i brought two travel guides with me from the U.S., but this was not one of them. When i found that our tour leader had written 'Turkish Odyssey', i immediately got a copy and used it exclusively on tour, never referring to the two i brought with me. The latter are fine if you are touring on your own and need hotel, car rental, restaurant info, etc., but 'TO' is a must if you are part of a guided tour. Most of the tour guides here use it. it answers questions tourists typically ask: education system healthcare, military service, politics, etc., besides extensive explanation and pictures of sites on the tour. Example: the guide i brought from home had two pages devoted to Ephesus, 'TO' has nineteen. if you are planning a trip to Turkey, which i highly recommend, drop a copy in your Amazon shopping cart. You will find it invaluable!

TO *** BELOW: I thought I was rating the book, not my review of the book--so lighten up!!