In the 21st century, a new Turkey is taking shape. The democratisation process has gathered momentum. The Middle East continues to play a major role in international affairs. New alliances are formed while armed struggles and old enmities seethe above or beneath the surface. The so-called 'Arab Spring' produced revolutionary changes in some countries in the region, but on the whole, outcomes have so far been disappointing - at least to those who hoped for a brave new world of democracy and respect for human rights. This collection of essays explores some of the events and issues that affect the modern Republic of Turkey and its place in the world. There is a new dynamism evident to all, affecting every facet of life in the country. As with all periods of rapid change, people are unsettled and there is friction. This book reflects the author's confidence that a stronger and healthier society will emerge - better able to play its historical role as a bridge between East and West. Alan Scott first came to Turkey in 1995, knowing little about the land and its people. In the years since then he has lived and travelled extensively in the country while working in the EFL education sector, and has continued to benefit from the mind-expanding jolts that strike the Western visitor at this ancient intersection of East and West.

Turkey is assuming an increasingly important role in the modern world with its rapidly growing economy and unique position as an intermediary between the West and the Middle East. Yet at the same time its Turkic language, Muslim religion and complex history and culture create a barrier difficult for Westerners to surmount. The writer has been living and working as an educational professional in Turkey for many years. He has learnt the language and come to understand the people and their rich culture and history. Each chapter in this book addresses a different aspect of history, politics, religion and culture from the perspective of a foreign national. The author shares his experience of confronting and gaining a deeper understanding of the Turkish people, and what makes them tick.

The twelfth edition of this classic reference work includes:

- More than 2,000 new entries

- A total of more than 9,000 entries

- New features and enhancement of the familiar old features

- Mapping information on more than 4,000 genes of known function

- Information on specific point mutations responsible for more than 700 genetic disorders or neoplasms

"Mendelian Inheritance in Man" (MIM) is a genetic knowledgebase that serves clinical medicine and biomedical research, including the Human Genome Project. It aims to be comprehensive (not only complete, but also collated, integrated, and interpreted), authoritative (not only accurate but also sound in its interpretations and judgements), and timely (not only up-to-date but also historically dimensioned).

"From a review of the eleventh edition, "Reproductive Toxicology: "Even the convenience of computer-based forms of "MIM" cannot eliminate the need for "MIM" in book form. The preface provides a wonderful synopsis of human genetics. The information contained in this text serves as a concise review for those with a genetics background."

"From a review of the tenth edition, "New England Journal of Medicine: " Victor McKusick] has been for all these years the shepherd of the development of the field of clinical genetics]. Perhaps his most important pragmatic achievement has been the 10 editions of "Mendelian Inheritance in Man, " which rapidly became and has remained the principal source of information on inherited diseases for all clinical geneticists.

"In addition to the erudite entries in the books, the references given with each description represent a magnificent bibliography of clinical genetics. With McKusick's leadership and continued interest in gene mapping, the book also rep-resents an important compen-dium of the location of genes on specific chromosomes.

"The book is a magnificent security blanket for the clinical geneticist and should be in the libraries not only of these specialists, but also of all others who see patients with diseases that have genetic components."