Contents: Editor's note by Mushirul Hasan. Preface by M.A. Ansari. Khaleda Edib Khanam by M. Mujeeb. 1. Ottoman Turks as state-builders. 2. The decline of the ottomans. 3. Revolution and war. 4. The Turkish Republic. 5. Literature and culture -- I. 6. Literature and culture -- II. 7. Turkish women. 8. Review and future outlook. Biographical notes. Notes on events. Index.

"Among the Asian countries, Turkey has been in the forefront of the debates on east-west relations. From the time of the Tanzimat, the rise of the west was closely scrutinized and interpreted in multiple ways until Mustafa Kemal Pasha's, major and decisive project of westernization triggered more intensive debates. These continue to figure in Turkey's public discourses.

In the eight lectures delivered at Jamia, Halide' Edib expounds the idea of the east and west with utmost clarity. Her intervention evoked responses from, among others, Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagwan Das, M.A. Ansari and Mohammad Iqbal." (jacket)