Two war years in Constantinople : sketches of German and Young Turkish ethics and politics

A German correspondent spent the turbulent years of 1915‑1916 in Constantinople, watching the Ottoman capital transform under the strain of war and the uneasy partnership between Berlin and the Young Turk movement. His observations capture the everyday rhythm of a city caught between ancient grandeur and modern conflict, from bustling bazaars to the tense corridors of power. Through vivid sketches he records conversations with soldiers, officials, and ordinary citizens, revealing how the war reshaped loyalties and daily life.

The author does not shy away from moral questions, offering a candid critique of the militarism and propaganda that drove the conflict while also confronting the ethical ambiguities of the German‑Turkish alliance. His essays blend personal experience with thoughtful analysis, giving listeners a nuanced portrait of a society struggling to maintain its identity amid devastation. The result is a compelling, first‑hand account that illuminates the human side of a war often told only through grand strategies and battlefield reports.