"Remembrances: The Assassination of Talaat Pasha"

"Remembrances: The Assassination of Talaat Pasha" is a landmark publication that marks the first time English-speaking audiences can access Soghomon Tehlirian's gripping and historically significant memoirs.

Tehlirian's "Remembrances," as related to Vahan Minakhorian, was initially published in Armenian ("Verhishoumner" Cario: Housaper, 1953). Masterfully translated by Beirut-born, Yerevan-based Bedo Demirdjian the account sheds light on Tehlirian's harrowing experiences during World War I, his personal anguish witnessing the Armenian Genocide, and his consequential role in Operation Nemesis.

Tehlirian's narrative is not just a recounting of historical events but a deeply personal journey of loss, vengeance, and justice. His story provides an intimate glimpse into the psyche of a man who lost 84 members of his family to the genocide and took it upon himself to assassinate one of its chief architects, Talaat Pasha. The book meticulously details Tehlirian's induction into the Armenian Revolutionary Federation's (ARF) secretive assassination campaign and the careful planning that led to the historic execution of Talaat Pasha.

Demirdjian's translation is fluid and faithful to the original, preserving the emotional intensity and historical significance of Tehlirian's memoirs. Demirdjian's work allows English readers to fully grasp the complexity of Tehlirian's actions and the broader implications of the Armenian Genocide and Operation Nemesis.

The memoir benefits significantly from a comprehensive introduction by Ara Sarafian, the executive director of the Gomidas Institute, the book's publisher. Sarafian sets the historical context and enriches the narrative with detailed analysis and the inclusion of a handwritten note by Tehlirian about the moment he assassinated Talaat Pasha. This introduction and its extensive endnotes provide readers with a treasure trove of sources and insights into the assassination. Documentary filmmaker Carla Garapedian's preface adds another layer of depth as she comments on the significance of the English translation, calling it "a way of telling Tehlirian's story to the world."

While the memoir is enriched with footnotes, maps, and photographs that aid in understanding and visualizing the events described, more detailed footnotes would further elucidate some of the complex historical and political contexts. However, this does not detract significantly from the overall impact and importance of the work. The English version of the memoir is a significant contribution that underscored the Gomidas Institute's commitment to bringing critical historical narratives to a wider audience.

"Remembrances: The Assassination of Talaat Pasha" is an essential read for anyone interested in Armenian history, genocide studies, or the complexities of justice and revenge. It is a well-translated and thoroughly researched publication of a profoundly moving account that not only tells the story of one man's quest for vengeance but also illuminates a chapter in world history that continues to resonate today.

On this, the 103rd anniversary of Talaat Pasha's assassination, we find no better recommendation than this book.

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https://www.gomidas.org/books/show/158

Publisher: Gomidas Institute Books (August 31, 2022)
Language: ‎English
Paperback: ‎318 pages
ISBN-13:978-1909382541