Özcan Mutlu, Almanya Nasıl Vatan Oldu? Türkiye-Almanya İşgücü Anlaşması’nın 60. Yılı, Doğan Kitap, 2. Baskı, İstanbul, Aralık 2023, 280 Sayfa, ISBN: 978-625- 6570-62-7

Abstract

This book review examines the work Almanya Nasıl Vatan Oldu? (How Did Germany Become a Homeland?), compiled by Özcan Mutlu to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Turkey-Germany Labour Recruitment Agreement. The review analyzes the transformation process from the status of "guest worker" (Gastarbeiter) to a settled community that has adopted Germany as a "homeland," through 27 personal narratives presented in the book. Specifically, the study explores the identity construction processes of second and third-generation immigrants, the "Suitcase Children" phenomenon, and their vertical social mobility within Germany. Although the work serves as a significant archive documenting the achievements of the Turkish diaspora, this review offers a critical perspective on the book's selection bias. It argues that the predominance of high-level success stories overshadows the experiences of the "ordinary" immigrant and ongoing structural challenges. In conclusion, while the book is evaluated as a valuable primary source for understanding the integration process of the Turkish community in Germany, its presentation of a "model minority" perspective is subjected to critical scrutiny.