I know what you mean.<p>As an American who knew next to nothing about Turkey before ~2000, it seems like Turkey is in an &quot;Uncanny Valley&quot; in the American mind. The results of the reform&#x2F;revolution era (1920&#x27;s and 30&#x27;s) are astounding, and I think that the Turkish Republic doesn&#x27;t get nearly the credit it deserves.<p>It&#x27;s one of those &quot;truth is stranger than fiction&quot; things. Usually societies that get to the point of the Ottoman Empire just collapse.  That when the Empire fell, the Turks took a such a hard look at their society, decided it wasn&#x27;t working, and radically changed it overnight, is a fascinating story that isn&#x27;t really known here.<p>Oh, and it&#x27;s a lovely place to vacation, too. ;-)