The diary of Karl Süssheim

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The orientalist Karl Süssheim maintained his Diary in Turkish and later in Arabic, documenting his experiences in the Ottoman Empire, the Young Turk Revolution of 1908, and his return to Germany amid war and Nazi horrors. This book features selected translated episodes from Süssheim’s Diary, spanning 1908 to 1940, offering readers a unique glimpse into his family life, academic journey at Munich University, and the tumultuous historical context he navigated. Flemming and Schmidt aim to provide both an intimate portrayal and a lasting tribute to one of the last century's notable diarists. The selected texts are contextualized with contemporary events and thoroughly annotated, enhancing their accessibility. The commentary highlights how the translated diaries resurrect Süssheim’s life, transforming the forgotten into a compelling narrative of a passionate autodidact whose unconditional love for the Orient marked him as an outsider. Critics praise the work as a valuable historical source, noting its depth and meticulous research, revealing far more than can be captured in a brief review. This collection invites readers to engage with Süssheim’s extraordinary journey through a dramatic era.