In an era where authoritarian leaders distort the meaning of democracy using it as a vehicle for their power, the story of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is not just a biography — it is a key to understanding our world. From the impoverished alleys of Istanbul to the pinnacle of power, Erdoğan emerges as a politician with a unique ability to turn crises into opportunities and to redefine the rules of the game. 

How did Erdoğan manage to win successive elections, divide a society, and at the same time consolidate his dominance? What is his messianic, threatening vision for the new Ottoman Turkey? Stefan Ihrig composes a fascinating, insightful narrative that goes beyond stereotypes. Through historical events and political upheavals, he illuminates the path of the man who changed Turkey — inevitably affecting our entire region.

An essential read for anyone who wants to understand Turkey, as well as the dark future of democracy in the 21st century, read like a political thriller and makes you wonder: could it happen elsewhere?