Enver Paşa's memoirs trace his path from schoolboy to military officer to revolutionary, offering firsthand insight into the tensions leading up to the Second Constitutional Era and his evolving views on Sultan Abdülhamid. Inexpensive, clearly annotated, and quick to read, it's a valuable window into a patriot whose good intentions didn't pan out as he'd hoped
This book is inexpensive and contains great information about the geopolitical and domestic policies during the period before the Second Constitutional Era (2. Meşrutiyet). The old Turkish words are flawlessly explained in parentheses, so you can understand everything even if you’re not familiar with Ottoman Turkish vocabulary. It also provides context in places where there might be historical inaccuracies and helps give you the full picture.
In his memoirs about the period before the Second Constitutional Era, Enver Paşa focuses largely on his efforts to combat separatist groups in the Balkans and on the beginnings of the Committee of Union and Progress (İttihat ve Terakki Cemiyeti).
In this book, we see Enver Paşa’s life from his school years to his military career, and finally to the moment when he decides to work for the betterment of his country, even though he knows he might be branded a traitor. We get insight into his thoughts about Sultan Abdülhamid—how much he despises him at first, and how his views evolve over time, remaining opposed to Abdülhamid but in a somewhat softer tone. The book also explores his relationships with his family.
What struck me is how well his diaries provide context about that era, showing just how much tension existed between those who supported Abdülhamid and those who believed there needed to be change. We also gain a comprehensive understanding of his belief in the idea of constitutionalism (Meşrutiyet) and the efforts he made for this cause, which gives us deeper insight into his character and worldview.
Alongside Enver Paşa’s patriotism and deep attachment to his homeland, it’s undeniable that he possessed a vivid imagination, and at times, his dreams and reality seemed to blur together.
You can truly feel how much it pains him to see his country heading in the wrong direction, how decisions coming from the Payitaht (the Ottoman capital) are weakening the nation itself, and how deeply he loves his country and wants to steer it toward what he believes is the right path. Although it didn’t end the way he had hoped, which truly is the definition of “the road to ruin is paved with good intentions.”
I only wish he had kept a diary, or that we had access to one, covering the period after the Second Constitutional Era (2. Meşrutiyet).
A great, quick read for those who want to learn about this era