The Fisherman of Halicarnassus: The Man Who Made Bodrum Famous

by Roger Williams

Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı, known as the Fisherman of Halicarnassus, was the founder of Turkey's famous Mavi Yolculuk “BLUE VOYAGES”. A historian, humanist and ecologist, he was one of the country's most popular writers and has been described as a modern Homer.

Taking the lead from the Fisherman, who was Turkey’s first professional tourist guide, this book explores the fascinating history and culture of these magical sailing waters. The Fisherman of Halicarnassus is the perfect companion for a sojourn on Turkey’s Aegean and Mediterranean shores

144 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2013

About the author

London-based journalist and erstwhile travel guide editor, I am a perpetual tourist even in my home city.

Reviews

[Monty Milne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I have visited Bodrum, until I read this I was unaware of the Turk of the title, even though there is a statue of him in the centre of Bodrum. This brief but interesting account of his life rather glosses over the most startling fact: he murdered his father, but was released after just seven years. Some years later, he was sentenced to exile and imprisonment in Bodrum for writing what seem to have been some rather mild criticisms of the Ataturk regime. When he arrived in Bodrum to be locked up in the prison there, it turned out that the prison was a ruin that had been decommissioned many years before. For two years, the fisherman was therefore allowed to lodge in a pleasant house by the sea. He seems to have experienced it as a time of pure delight, so that when he was eventually sent back to Istanbul to serve out the rest of his sentence in a real prison, on his release he headed straight back to Bodrum, and spent the rest of his life as a well loved writer, historian and local celebrity who aided in the transformation of the place from a sleepy backwater into the buzzing tourist mecca it has now become. Which, had he lived to see it in its fullness, he would have hated.

There is so much that is paradoxical and unusual in this little tale that it is well worth reading if you intend to visit Bodrum, or indeed if you have any interest in this fascinating part of the world.

[Turgut Yıldırım · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story a man who once was sent into an exile in Turkish town of Bodrum because of the narrative he wrote about deserters during the war.But he falls in love with this town ,and dedicates his life to reveal its beauty also tries to make it known by whole world.This man's effort about the town told along with this region history dating back to Homer.Very informative.

[Christa Eker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book and piecing together the connections between the oft-referenced Bodrum legend.

A fascinating read, both informative & engaging. I'll certainly look out for the museum and landmarks when I next visit Bodrum and will look and my growing bougainvillaea and smile.

It's a shame the novels haven't been translated into English, so I will have to work on the Turkish and look out for them.

[Miguel Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a first-time visitor to Bodrum and you want to quickly get acquainted with the local history and culture, this is the perfect 160-page book for you.