Ataturk: Lessons in Leadership from the Greatest General of the Ottoman Empire

World Generals Series

by Austin Bay

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was a Muslim visionary, revolutionary statesman, and founder of the Republic of Turkey. The West knows him best as the leading Ottoman officer in World War I’s Battle of Gallipoli—a defeat for the Allies, and the Ottoman empire’s greatest victory. Gaining fame as an exemplary military officer, he went on to lead his people in the Turkish War of Independence, abolishing the Ottoman Sultanate, emancipating women, and adopting western dress. Deeply influenced by the Enlightenment, Atatürk sought to transform the empire into a modern and secular nation-state, and during his presidency, embarked upon a program of impressive political, economic, and cultural reforms. Militarily and politically he excelled at all levels of conflict, from the tactical, through the operational, to the strategic, and into the rarified realm of grand strategy. His ability to integrate the immediate with the ultimate serves as an important lesson for leaders engaged in the twenty-first century’s great military struggles. He became the only leader in history to successfully turn a Muslim nation into a Western parliamentary democracy and secular state, leaving behind a legacy of modernization and military and political leadership.

Genres: History

224 pages, Hardcover

First published August 16, 2011

Reviews

[Cenk Undey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very brief summary of the great achievements of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Author has done good research to represent the leadership examples and the history. I am also glad to see he called out Atatürk’s universal ideals such as “he believed that reason and logic provide the foundation for common values that all nations and cultures may share and respect.”

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best narrative I have read on Ataturk! As advertised, it covered only his soldier years, but hinted on what was to follow. An extraordinary account of an extraordinary individual who without, there would be no modern Republic of Türkiye. Perhaps the best part about this book is that the author exposes his missteps in addition to all of his successes.

[Comert Kun · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I really liked about this book was that the author focuses on the militaristic side of Ataturk and how he modernize a state stuck in the grip of a theocracy.The story is lean.I also gathered information on March 31 events,Balkan,Canakkale and Turkish war of independence. In respect to comparison with Kinross,i believe this book may not take a lead but definitely worth reading.

[Fatma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muthis bir lider, kolay olmamis tabi her zamanki gibi ego savaslari , Enver pasanin ego su yuzunden ulke cok sehit vermis, askeri, siyasi ve strategy deha sini cok iyi kullamis. Saygi ve minnet diydum.

[Joe]

Recommended by Bill Mayer.