Book · 2026 · History
From Life Itself
Turkey and Istanbul in the Age of Erdogan
Why people recommend it
From Life Itself by Suzy Hansen is a work of immersive journalism that examines the political and social transformations within Turkey by focusing closely on a single neighborhood in Istanbul. On The Ezra Klein Show, Matt Duss recommended the book while discussing foreign policy and global democratic shifts. Duss praised Hansen's deep reporting, explaining that the author spent a decade observing and documenting life in the same local community. Through this hyper-localized lens, the book illustrates how broader national trends, political pressures, and shifts in governance directly impact ordinary citizens on the ground. Duss highlighted the title as an insightful read for anyone seeking to understand complex international dynamics through intimate, long-term journalistic storytelling rather than abstract political analysis alone.
Who recommended it
- Matt Duss Recommended
Matt Duss — 1 mention
“The second one is by journalist Suzy Hansen. It's called From Life Itself. It's a book about Turkey through just exploring one neighborhood in Istanbul um that she she's reported on over 10 years”