Headscarf describes the story of Meroe Kavaki, a Turkish woman, recently elected (in 1999), who wore her Muslim headscarf to her swearing-in ceremony in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, and the uproar it caused in the secular country. The author, an American civil rights activist, businessman, and professor, tells Kavaki's story of being vilified by the government, media, military, and political parties and the long-term effect it had on her life. Peres also aims to promote empathy for the need for freedom, as well as to bring readers to understand the conflicts in Turkey. For example, those practicing the same religion don't necessarily agree politically. There are eight chapters: introduction: the Turkish context; Islamic mobilization and its response; a covered candidate runs for parliament; the election; 2 May 1999; the bright future darkens; the criminalization of Merve Kavakci; and persecuted and prosecuted. He writes particularly for those who have an interest in learning about the complexities of political life in Turkey. There is an afterward, and glossary. Distributed by International Publishers Marketing (IPM). Annotation ©2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)