HUGO N. GERSTL

The Epic Novel of Turkey

VOLUME ONE, LEGACY: 1897 – 1917

Today, Turkey stands at the center of the world, as it has for millennia. Yet, once again, its position as an international power is ambiguous. It straddles the Occident and the Orient, yet it is neither comfortable with or trusted by either East or West. Beneath its glittering exterior, Turkey is a dormant volcano, ready to explode again, as it has done so many times throughout history.

In LEGACY, we meet Turhan Türkoğlu and Abbas Hükümdar, victims of unspeakable poverty and cruelty, each of whom will walk entirely different paths in life. We come face to face with Halide Orhan, one of the greatest heroines of modern literature. In this volume, we witness the death throes of a decaying superpower, the Ottoman Empire, and the beginning of the modern era, marked by the horrors of World War I.  Each of these three characters leave their indelible imprint on their Motherland.

VOLUME TWO, EMERGENCE: 1918 – 1938

In Volume One, LEGACY, we witnessed the death of the Ottoman Empire. The Western Powers, who thought they’d have an easy time dismembering the corpse, somehow never reckoned with the courage and resilience of the Turkish people – or that a leader as great as Kemal Atatürk would grab the Motherland by the scruff of the neck and yank it forward five centuries in the span of fifteen years.

The fourth major protagonist in this epic, Nadji Akdemir, scion of generations of military pride, enters the tale when Turkey is at its nadir, and afterward joins Turhan Türkoğlu and Halide Orhan at Turkey’s rebirth and EMERGENCE as the Motherland builds from within. Meanwhile, as the world descends into a nascent holocaust like none other in history, Abbas Hükümdar hitches his yoke to the rising star that is Hitler’s Thousand-Year Reich.

VOLUME THREE, COMING OF AGE: 1939 – 1983

Nowhere in modern literature has any story exceeded COMING OF AGE in the drama that symbolizes, no matter how large or small a role one plays, how important each human being is in the web of history. The never-ending fight to bring freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and freedom to simply live a life where one can attain peace, without fear of tomorrow, lies at the very core of this monumental tour de force, a gargantuan buffet for those who gorge on historical fiction.

Here, the reader endures the agony of shattering defeats, the depths of tragically lost love, and the lowest level to which human depravity can descend, yet ultimately celebrates the triumph of the human spirit as the three protagonists of this epic fight to bring about tikkun olam, the repair of a world in chaos. Above all, this is a COMING OF AGE story: the coming of age of Modern Turkey. If humankind does not learn from the lessons of the past, we are doomed to repeat them over and over, into eternity. This tale is as ancient as our history, yet as immediate as tomorrow. Like Fiddler on the Roof, its universality crosses every border and is common to every culture.

And as you come to the end of this mammoth tale, you find yourself reading slower and slower, hoping it does not come to an end, hoping there will be more to this story.

VOLUME FOUR, THE FOOTSTEPS OF FOREVER: 1983 – 2005

Originally, The Motherland Saga ended in 1983, and what came thereafter was a brief epilogue. However, the past thirty-eight years have witnessed unimaginable changes in the fabric of the people, the culture, and the politics of Turkey. The emerging history of this great land compelled the writing of this fourth volume, THE FOOTSTEPS OF FOREVER. While the period from 2005 to 2020 has witnessed a sea change in the fortunes of this tortured nation and what appears to be a complete reversal in Turkey’s international alliances and its worldview, THE FOOTSTEPS OF FOREVER, Volume Four of the saga, concentrates on the period 1983-2005, which set the scene for what occurred thereafter. While it might be helpful to the reader to read LEGACY, EMERGENCE, and COMING OF AGE first, it is not really necessary, for you are traveling on a time train through the Twentieth and into the Twenty-First Century, and if you choose to get on the train in 1897 or today, your ultimate destination will be the same.

Perhaps one day there will be a sequel … and another … and another.

LEGACY, ANTHOLOGY EDITION-AMAZON COMMENTS

These are genuine reviews from Amazon.com. Names and email addresses have been deleted to protect the privacy rights of those who were kind enough to write in, but feel free to visit Amazon.com to see the originals of these reviews.  Thank you. – Hugh

***** Colossal. Hugo N. Gerstl's recent book, “Legacy,” is a colossal saga that is majestic in scope and insightful into the human condition. Turkish culture, history and visits to sites of the emergence of civilization are richly intertwined into a tapestry that illustrates the growth of Modern Turkey. The depths of friendship and allegiance among his lead characters: Turhan born in poverty, Halide not wanting her disability to define her, and Nadji bringing honor to Turkish military nobility warmed my heart. In “Legacy,” Gerstl’s great achievement was a masterstroke that caused me to stay up late to treasure each word and have trouble putting it down at the finish. A hearty 'hear-hear' is coming to Hugo Gerstl and his awe-inspiring “Legacy.” – February 2014

***** Must read. Knowing, first hand, Hugo N. Gerstl's knowledge of, and passion for, the history and culture of Turkey, I know I will be settling in and losing myself in another one of his epic tales set in the cradle of civilization. Hugo's enthusiasm for, and vast subject knowledge of, Turkish history and politics always come through in his oration and written word. As well, his imagination flourishes with artistic and dramatic flare, always delivering a fantastic tale. Meld the two together and he produces for you an epic read. Please immerse yourself in the experience of this book. – December 2013

***** Mr. Gerstl’s “Legacy” of excellent storytelling. Mr. Gerstl takes you by the hand from the first page and doesn't let go until the very end. His stories both educate and entertain, always ending far too soon. Moreover, he skillfully creates an immediate intimacy through solid character development allowing you to thoroughly invest yourself into the story. I look forward to picking up any new story from Mr. Gerstl, Legacy was yet another phenomenal novel. – December 2013

***** Legacy the birth of modern Turkey is a must read. Hugo N Gerstl has the ability to use the written word as the old masters used the brush to produce their timeless art. As I read this book, I thought of David Leans "Lawrence of Arabia", no one else could have done it as well. I think Hugo Gerstl has mastered his craft in the same way. – November 2013

***** A Great Read I Highly Recommend it. As Hugo Gerstl is probably my most favorite author I am already prejudice. This book is a great read. Mixing part of the history of Turkey, with a wonderful warm story of love, life and trial. I would highly recommend this book and I look forward to the authors next. – November 2013

***** You Will be changed by Hugo Gerstl’s “Legacy.” Those who have read Hugo Gerstl’s previous novels are persuaded that he should quit his day job – as an attorney – and invest his mind and heart into writing. Amazingly, he has shown skill and time for both, and the world is a better place for his efforts. His latest book, “Legacy,” is breathtaking in its sheer power, for Gerstl writes of the ultimate work of man; the parsing of his own mind. Like Indiana Jones tearing his way through thick spider webs, so his characters rip apart the smoke screens of their own delusions, reaching for the truth of their souls. You will be changed by this book, challenged to clean out the cobwebs of habitual thinking, and to walk your life freshened with new purpose. – November 2013

***** Legacy – a passionate historical novel set in Turkey. The Middle Eastern countries racked with war and strife get the news headlines: Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, etc. Seldom will you find Turkey in the headlines. That's because Turkey is a relatively stable, prosperous democracy. Still, it is not entirely immune to the conflicts that tear apart its neighbors. As the author warns us "Turkey is a dormant volcano ready to explode once again, as it has done so many times throughout history." Few American authors understand Turkey better than Hugo Gerstl, who has written a number of historical novels, but none with more heart and soul than Legacy. That's because Gerstl knows and loves Turkey. He lived there for two years and has been a frequent visitor. This 763-page epic novel covers the modern history of Turkey, offering readers a fuller understanding of this underrated nation. – November 2013

***** Read it! As always, Gerstl combines history with fiction and comes up with a rich tale that not only makes the reader think and learn about a subject not often written about, but adds a new writer to their list of "must reads" (Gerstl has written several other books). Gerstl's "Legacy" is a must read not just for historians and people interested in today's world. It's an important book in so many ways. Far from the sludge of the thousands of worthless books that are put out each month. Legacy is to be put in one's library and treasured. – November 2013

***** Review Legacy Hugo N. Gerstl. Mr. Gerstl's epic Turkish tale, through the eyes of his main character Turhan, is an all-encompassing historic sweep. It is a revealing, fast paced eye-opener of a corner of the world many Americans have little acquaintance with. "The Sick Man of Europe was, is, and shall remain a most important fulcrum between the East and the West. Turhan shows us how and why. Mr. Gerstl's cultural insights are rich and nearly edible. This is the readable gravy that goes with anything about Turkey. – November 2013

***** A Fascinating Journey through Turkish History. Mr Gerstl takes the reader on a journey through the last 100 years of Turkish history through the eyes of four of the most interesting characters in any historical novel that I have ever read. Gerstl creatively weaves a tale of intrigue, love, power and war through real life heroes and villains that will captivate and educate you from beginning to end. Mr Gerstl's finest novel is a true credit to his devotion to writing I highly recommend it. – November 2013

***** Legacy. Gerstl has written his finest book yet. A very interesting read with the kind of in depth information that makes one want to get on a plane and visit Turkey next week. I have learned more from this book alone than anything I new of the region yet and have developed a keen interest only do to the book. I have read his other books and I must say that this is his finest work to date. Worth the time to treasure LEGACY. – November 2013

***** Awesome! Who would have ever thought that a country I always believed was a "non-player" on the world stage was such a magnificent part of history? The characters in this mammoth epic are truly real people. I suffered with them, occasionally despised some of them, and ultimately teared up at the end, but I couldn't stop reading this book! It's a very long journey, but every page was worth it! – November 2013

***** RT. Gerstl has a knack for storytelling. In Legacy he is weaving his knowledge of Turkey through its historical development, part fact, part fiction, to an interesting and fascinating book. Gerstl's book contributes to understanding Turkey's progress, yet still remaining many complex issues in its path to becoming a modern country. An excellent reading! – November 2013

***** Wonderful Historical Novel. What Michener did for Hawaii, Hugo Gerstl does for Turkey. If you're a fan of fact-based historical fiction and have even just a passing interest in Turkey, you won't want to miss LEGACY. Unforgettable characters, page-turning suspense, and a grand historical panorama -- everything you'd want and more in a masterful historical novel. Highly recommended! – November 2013

***** Extraordinarily Moving. Hugo Gerstl conducts an extraordinarily moving tutorial on how to create an epic that won't let the reader put the book down. If you love great storytelling this is a book that will hook you from first page to last. It is meticulous and beautifully written. – November 2013

***** An intoxicating must-read. The book is a composite of TODAY in History and YESTERDAY in Historical Events. It is a Must Read for Everyone, but especially for those who try and understand how Historical Events shape todays Modern Odyssey. – November 2013

***** A wonderful read. This book has everything you would expect from an engaging novel. From one page to the next you can expect to be thrilled, entertained and absolutely satisfied. It has earned my highest rating. – November 2013

***** An excellent read! A wonderful and engaging history of the birth of modern turkey. Brings a turbulent and colourful period and place to light. – October 2013

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ANTHOLOGY EDITION

Legacy: The Birth of Modern Turkey

(covers the first 3 volumes)

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The mammoth 3-volume set of The Motherland Saga —Legacy, Emergence, and Coming of Age — are embraced in this single volume, covering the critical years in modern Turkish history: from 1897, when the decaying Ottoman Superpower contracted its terminal illness, to 1983, when the first cracks in the post-Ataturk monolith signaled the eventual collapse of its military-controlled democracy and the harbinger of the current political situation.Four of the most memorable characters in modern literature propel this vast historical novel forward: Turhan Türkoğlu, who rises from his birth as a poverty-stricken bastard in southeastern Anatolia, to become the Conscience of his Nation; Halide Orhan, deformed and condemned to a life of misery, who transcends her past to become the universally beloved Angel of Modern Turkey; Nadji Akdemir, scion of generations of military pride of his nation, who defeats his personal demons to ascend to immortality; and Abbas Hükümdar, an early victim of unspeakable cruelty, who ultimately walks a different path in life.

But above and beyond them all, this is a COMING OF AGE tale: the coming of age of Modern Turkey, amidst the agony of shattering defeats, tragically lost love, the lowest depths to which human depravity can descend, and, ultimately, the triumph of the human spirit in the face of every challenge.

This is a volume to savor, to devour, to treasure, a literary master­work to be passed down from generation to generation, and a reminder of how important a role each human being plays in the fabric that lies at the heart of human history.