Memory Book, as Turkish original name is "Hâtıra Defteri", is a memoir by Süleyman Necati Güneri (1881–1952), a prominent figure in the Turkish War of Independence and particularly in the Erzurum Congress. Published by Dergâh Yayınları as part of the "Erzurum Library" series, the book chronicles a specific period of Güneri's life, offering a firsthand account of the War of Independence and the days of the Erzurum Congress. Edited by Ali Birinci, the first edition was published in November 1999 and is 118 pages long.

Content and Thematic Structure

Memory Book focuses on Süleyman Necati Güneri's activities during the War of Independence, highlighting his duties and observations at the Erzurum Congress. Through his individual efforts and his newspaper, "Albayrak," Güneri played an active role in the political and social developments in Erzurum. The book emphasizes the newspaper's role in the initial phase of the War of Independence, providing insights into the communication methods and public opinion formation of the era.

Based on Güneri's experiences and observations, the memoirs provide historical context for the preparation, execution, and outcomes of the Erzurum Congress. Despite its limited length, the work contains various details about the period. Published to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Erzurum Congress, the book aims to contribute to the documentation of this historical period.

These accounts, presented through the author's personal testimony, serve as a primary source, conveying the atmosphere of the time, the decisions made, the debates at the congress, and the course of the War of Independence in Eastern Anatolia. Consequently, the work is a valuable source of information for historical research and local developments of that era.

Language and Style

The language of the work is plain and direct, characteristic of the memoir genre, and reflects the expressions of the period. While the text includes personal observations, the historical context is prioritized in the narrative, with no exaggeration, praise, or promotional language. This quality makes the work suitable for historical content analysis.

The Editor's Role and the Book's Research Value

The editor, Ali Birinci, is a well-known researcher for his work on modern Turkish history and archival documents. His preparation of the text for publication, based on sources, facilitates its academic evaluation.

Memory Book is one of the few primary sources on the period of the Erzurum Congress, which makes it significant for historical writing. As a first-person account that goes beyond official documents and general historical narratives, the work is a valuable resource for researchers working in areas such as the Turkish War of Independence, the Erzurum Congress, modern Turkish political history, local history research, and memoir literature.