David S.
Tonge
Like a good son, I followed my father’s advice: ‘I don’t mind what you do as long as you are a banker.’ That phase, in the basement of a US bank beside the Bank of England, lasted five months. Since then I have lived from writing - some economics, a lot of politics, stuff about trees, memoirs of my Uncle Q, appreciations of some wonderful friends, and now two books.
This website is to introduce the books and to share some highlights of a life rooted in England but flowering in the glorious sun of Greece and Turkey.
All my life I've been known as David Tonge, but I have had to add the "S." to differentiate me from the author of The Lincolnshire Poacher, ‘a man of his time’.
David S. Tonge
David S. Tonge’s Books
Reviews
for
The Kremlin's Confidant
Martin Packard is an extraordinary man who has led an extraordinary life.
Peter Murtagh
Journalist and author of 'The Rape of Greece'
His story needed telling.
Peter Preston
Editor of Guardian (1975-1995)
Wonderful.
They don’t make men like that anymore.
Helena Smith
Correspondent of The Guardian for Greece and Cyprus
This gripping biography is a classic tale of fact being stranger than fiction. Martin Packard was an incurable romantic... He was a Don Quixote of the Cold War.
Quentin Peel
Former Moscow Correspondent and Foreign Editor of the Financial Times
Reviews
for
The Enduring Hold of Islam
‘Excellent... Tonge is an astute commentator who navigates the thorns of Turkish politics, identity and spiritual beliefs sympathetically and authoritatively...
Tonge has done a wonderful job'
Peter Frankopan
Author of The Silk Roads & The Earth Transformed
“Fascinating; an unknown world. Well-paced and nicely written. It may well become required reading for a range of people with a professional interest in Turkey and Islam.”
Giles Merritt
Author, commentator on Europe
“A meticulously-researched book, a key addition to the bookshelf of anyone interested in the workings of modern-day Turkey. Beautifully written in clear and lively prose, it traces the history of the opaque religious communities who continue to hold real sway to this day - but whose influence is often under-appreciated by outside observers.”
Laura Pitel
Financial Times,
Ankara correspondent
“…quite apart from the relevance, importance and topicality of what you have to say, I found your book very well-written and a really enjoyable read.”
Iradj Bagherzade
Publisher, IB Tauris, iB2 Media