[MGSA-L] new book: History of (Modern) Greece for a undergraduates and a broad readership

Artemis S Leontis 1 aleontis at umich.edu
Thu Apr 26 22:46:26 PDT 2012


Please note that the following general introduction to the history of  
Greece is now available in hardcover and in ebook:

The History of Greece

by Elaine Thomopoulos

published December 2011 by Greenwood (ABC-CLIO) in the Series: The  
Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations
ISBN 978-0-313-37511-8
eISBN 978-0-313-37512-5
	$58.00

This complete history of Greece documents ancient times to the  
present, giving specific attention to its emergence as a modern  
European nation after the destruction, disease, and death Greece  
suffered during World War II and the subsequent civil war.

In the last century, Greece has been ravaged by numerous wars,  
diseases like malaria, and the brutal famine that resulted from its  
occupation during World War II. Today, the nation of Greece is both a  
modern, developed nation that is a popular tourist destination, and a  
country facing a serious economic crisis.

Modern Greece started as a monarchy in 1832, with just a fraction of  
the land it now encompasses. The nation of Greece finally forged its  
identity in the 19th and 20th centuries after emerging from 400 years  
of Ottoman domination. This book traces the development of Greece from  
the Minoan civilization of Crete to modern times, telling the story of  
how Greece added territory and experienced fierce growing  
pains?including coups, dictatorships, depressions, enormous influxes  
of immigrants, and wars?before evolving into today's modern democratic  
state.

The History of Greece provides both an overview of Greece's early  
history as well as an examination of the difficulties that emerged in  
2009 and 2010, such as its recent financial problems and social  
unrest. Quotes from Greek politicians, scholars, poets, and ordinary  
citizens are included to communicate Greece's national character.

Features
? Provides an enlightening timeline of the history of Greece from  
prehistoric time to 2010
? Includes maps illustrating Greece's regions, islands, cities, and  
its growth into modern Greece
? A bibliography covers books and articles about the history,  
ethnography, and politics of Greece, as well as various online resources

Highlights
? Emphasizes Greece's emergence as a modern democratic nation  
following its declaration of independence from Ottoman rule in 1821  
without neglecting mention of classical Greek contributions to western  
civilization in the areas of philosophy, democracy, science, and art
? Analyzes Greece's civil war of 1944?1949 as a major contributor to  
its ongoing civil strife
? Explores the role of the United States throughout Greece's recent  
history, as well as the general ambivalence of Greek people towards  
America
? Examines Greece's challenges in the 21st century, including riots,  
forest fires, and the integration of new immigrants into its changing  
nation
Elaine Thomopoulos, PhD, is an independent scholar who has authored  
local history books and is editor of Greek-American Pioneer Women of  
Illinois. She has published articles about Greece and Greek Americans  
and is curator of the Greek Museum of Berrien County, Michigan.
Endorsements
"The succinct but broad survey of Hellenic traditions offered by  
Elaine Thomopoulos offers students, especially those taking modern  
Greek studies courses, a historical context for cultural studies in  
various areas. The work wisely emphasizes the impact of World War II  
and the Greek dictatorship of (1967-1974), the two periods which have  
shaped contemporary Greek society." - Dan Georgakas, Director of the  
Greek American Studies Project, Center for Byzantine and Modern Greek  
Studies, Queens College (CUNY) and editorial board of Cineaste film  
quarterly.

"Elaine Thomopoulos, in a clear and concise manner, gives an account  
of the history of Greece that would appeal to most readers.  
Interesting and especially useful for its chapters on contemporary  
Greek History, it offers a valuable insight on the country?s  
trajectory through?always turbulent, it seems?times." - Mathilde  
Pyrli, Archivist, Photographic Archive, ELIA-MIET

"Elaine Thomopoulos is a gifted writer. Her book is a marvel of story  
telling, one of the best histories of modern Greece. At a time when  
Greece is suffering from economic hardships, it is refreshing and  
enlightening to read this dispassionate and clear account of how  
Greece came into being as a modern state and society. Greece will rise  
again. I recommend this powerful book very strongly." - Evaggelos  
Vallianatos, Ph.D., Write, Historian

"A thorough overview of the history of Greece from Prehistory to our  
times, resulted after years of laborious and systematic work. This  
objective, intelligible, and solidly documented book provides valuable  
information to everyone who is interested in Greece and her people" -  
Andronikos Falangas, Adjunct Professor, Columbia College Chicago







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