Apollo: The Great God [Paperback]

Gregory Zorzos (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 5, 2009

One of the great divinities of the Greeks, was, according to Homer (Il. i. 21, 36), the son of Zeus and Leto. Hesiod (Theog. 918) states the same, and adds, that Apollo's sister was Artemis. Neither of the two poets suggests anything in regard to the birth-place of the god, unless we take Lukigenis (Il. iv. 101) in the sense of "born in Lycia," which, however, according to others, would only mean "born of or in light." Several towns and places claimed the honour of his birth, as we see from various local traditions mentioned by late writers. Thus the Ephesians said that Apollo and Artemis were born in the grove of Ortygia near Ephesus (Tacit. Annal. iii. 61); the inhabitants of Tegyra in Boeotia and of Zoster in Attica claimed the same honour for themselves. (Steph. Byz. s.v. Tegura.)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gregory Zorzos, a native Hellene, was born in Kallithea, Athens in Greece (Hellas) at 1958. Author and his research work have been distinguished by a lot of official organizations, and Ministries, in Greece and all over the world. The author has wrote more than 500 books, board games, DVDs and cdroms about ancient and modern history in the fields of economics, technical, board games, martial arts, software, love affairs, feasibilities studies, research, case studies etc. As a reporter, from his teens, the author has written many articles in many newspapers, magazines etc. and was editor in chief in some of them. Many awards and credits around the world. Member of the "Royal Society of Literature" (UK). Member of the "American Authors Association" (USA). Member of the "American Screenwriters Association" (USA). Member of the "Erotic Authors Association" (USA). Member of the "Erotic Literature League" (USA). Member of the ex-BOD of the "Hellenic Historical Author Association" (Greece). ex Member of the "Hellenic Literature Association" (Greece). member of the ex-BOD of the "Union of Correspondents of Greek Press Abroad" (Greece). ex Member of the "World Pan Hellenic United Martial Arts Foundation" (USA). Member of the "Hellenic Chamber of Economists" highest Professional Class as "Economist" and highest Professional Class as "Accountant" (Greece). Member of the "Hellenic Researcher in the Ministry of Constructions", highest Professional Class in "Economic Studies", highest Professional Class in "Research Studies" and highest Professional Class in "Organization Studies" (Greece). Writer of the year 2005 award as "Historian Author of The Hellenic Martial Arts Pammachon and Pankration". Writer of the year 2006 award as "International Historic Writer of Martial Arts". International Who's Who of Professionals. Greek Who's Who of Professionals. Researches have been approved/accepted from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Hellenic Army, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Unesco (P&N), SAE, etc. Works have been register in Copyright Offices in Greece, USA and Canada.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace (February 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1441467718
• ISBN-13: 978-1441467713
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,289,852 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gregory Zorzos, a native Hellene, was born in Kallithea, Athens in Greece (Hellas) at 1958. Author and his research work have been distinguished by a lot of official organizations, and Ministries, in Greece and all over the world.
The author has published more than 4,150,000 books, ebooks, board games, DVDs, cdroms, DVDroms, music Audio CDs, MP3s, epubs, notation files, documentaries, etc and many more are unpublished, about ancient and modern history in the fields of economics, technical, board games, martial arts, software, love affairs, feasibilities studies, research, case studies, learning languages, logodynamics, inner research etc.
As a reporter, from his teens, the author has written many articles in many newspapers, magazines etc. and was editor in chief in some of them.

Many awards and credits around the world.
Member of the "Royal Society of Literature" (UK).
Member of the "American Authors Association" (USA).
ex-Member of the "American Screenwriters Association" (USA).
Member of the "Erotic Authors Association" (USA).
Member of the "Erotic Literature League" (USA).
Member of the ex-BOD of the "Hellenic Historical Author Association" (Greece).
ex Member of the "Hellenic Literature Association" (Greece).
member of the ex-BOD of the "Union of Correspondents of Greek Press Abroad" (Greece).
ex Member of the "World Pan Hellenic United Martial Arts Foundation" (USA).
Member of the "Hellenic Chamber of Economists" highest Professional Class as "Economist" and highest Professional Class as "Accountant" (Greece).
Member of the "Hellenic Researcher in the Ministry of Constructions", highest Professional Class in "Economic Studies", highest Professional Class in "Research Studies" and highest Professional Class in "Organization Studies" (Greece).
International Who's Who of Professionals.
Greek Who's Who of Professionals.

Researches have been approved/accepted from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Hellenic Army, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Unesco (Piraeus & Islands), SAE, etc.Works have been register in Copyright Offices in Greece, USA and Canada.

Some awards

1. Was Collaborator of the Minister to the Prime Minister.
2. Was Collaborator of the Minister without portfolio composer MIKIS THEODORAKIS.
3. Registered in 1999 in the International Who's Who of Professionals (author-scholar).
4. Was elected continuously until 2000 of the Public Relations of the Union for Foreign Press Correspondents Greek (Greece).
5. Member since 1999 of the Royal Society of Literature (UK).
6. Member since 2000 of the American Authors Association (USA).
7. Member since 2001 of the American Screenwriters Association [Hollywood] (USA).
8. Member since 1996 and was in B.O.D. of the Hisrorian Authors Association (Greece).
9. Author of the Year in 2005 as Historian Author of The Hellenic Martial Arts Pammachon and Pankration, Miami, Florida, USA.
10. Author of the Year in 2006 as an International Historic Writer of Martial Arts, Miami Florida, USA.
11. Honorary Director diploma 2008 (Diploma), for the work of Atlantis Ancient Secret Teachings, Festival of the Nations, Austria.
12. Honorary Director diploma 2009 (Diploma), for the work of Games of the European Countries, Festival of the Nations, Austria.
13. Award metal of Unesco Piraeus and Islands and Greco-Pakistan Friendship Association for his work on Alexander the Great.
14. Certificate of Unesco Piraeus and Islands setting under auspices the entire work of the author.
15. Certificate of World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) setting under auspices the entire work of the author.
16. Honorary distinction of setting the Municipality of Thessalonica under the auspices his hole work of the author about Alexander the Great.
17. Honorary Distinction Certificate 1999, National Library of China for his books about Alexander the Great, the Great Wall, ancient economic thought, etc.
18. Honorary Distinction Certificate 1999 Karate Do for the author's work on the ancient martial arts.
19. Honorary Distinction metal from the Municipality of Vrilissia for his research about Alexander the Great.
20. Honorary Distinction metal Thessalonica International Fair Agrotica for his researches about agricultural studies.
21. Certificate, Literature competition New Ariadne, for his book Analogue Systems Man and Computer.
22. Certificate, Literature competition New Ariadne, for his book About Love (ancient Greek poetry).
23. Certificate, Ministry of Education Library Halkida Literature competition, for his book Analogue Systems Man and Computer.
24. Certificate 2008 for his work Pagration, Festival of the Nations, Austria.
25. Certificate 2008 for the work of Black Holes, Festival of the Nations, Austria.
26. Certificate 2008 for his work Megas Diakosmos, Festival of the Nations, Austria.
27. Certificate 2008 for his work Ancient Greek Love, Festival of the Nations, Austria.
28. Certificate 2008 for his work Ancient Greek Board Games, Festival of the Nations, Austria.
29. Certificate 2008 for his work Zatrikion (Chess), Festival of the Nations, Austria.
30. Certificate 2008 for the work of Faces of the ancient Greeks, Festival of the Nations, Austria.
31. Certificate 2008 for the work of Technical of Alexander the Great, Festival of the Nations, Austria.
32. Certificate 2009 for his work Ancient Board Games, Festival of the Nations, Austria.
33. Certificate 2009 for his work Ancient Greek Grypas, Festival of the Nations, Austria.
34. Certificate 2009 for his work Ancient Greek Sphinx, Festival of the Nations, Austria.
35. Certificate 2009 for the work of China, Festival of the Nations, Austria.
36. Certificate 2009 for his work Vergina Star, Festival of the Nations, Austria.
37. Certificate 2009 for his work Ancient Greek Star Symbol, Festival of the Nations, Austria.
38. Certificate 2009 for his work Ancient Sex Positions, Festival of the Nations, Austria.
39. Honorary distinction of Intersalonica for his research about Insurance Companies in Alexander the Great campaign.
40. The book Ancient Greek Numbering is with the auspices of the Municipality of Kallithea
41. Writer of the year 2005 award as "Historian Author of The Hellenic Martial Arts Pammachon and Pankration".
42. Writer of the year 2006 award as "International Historic Writer of Martial Arts".
43. Metal and award from the Pyrgos Association Thera Island.
44. etc etc etc ...

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I would give it no stars, but Amazon doesn't offer that option., February 4, 2010

By 

Fiamma (Baltimore) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Apollo: The Great God (Paperback)

I found this book a few weeks ago while scouring Amazon for books on Apollo. Rather excited to stumble on one that I hadn't heard of, I put out an inquiry in a few places. No one had heard of the author or the book. I decided to go ahead and order it. Even if it was mediocre at best, thirteen bucks plus shipping isn't terrible.

I received the book today and immediately started flipping through it. I could see right away that something was wrong. Very wrong. (Oh, how I long for mediocrity just now.) This book is self-published. Which doesn't mean it will be a bad book- there are many very high-quality, well-written books out there which have been self-published. I own a couple of them. This guy makes the decent self-published authors look bad.

The book (and please understand, I use the word "book" here with a very generous margin of error) is one hundred and fifty-two pages long. Of that, pages twenty-three through one hundred forty-nine plus page one hundred fifty-two are all images. Statues, vases, ancient coins, renaissance-era paintings, modern-day postage stamps. Oh, and one page containing two images titled Secret Symbols of Apollo- one of those so-called images is a grid of numbers that at first glance looks like a sudoku grid. The other is...well, I don't know. And I have no idea how we're supposed to know that these are secret symbols of Apollo- is that part of the secret?

Most of the images are fairly low-quality- often grainy or pixelated. Several are images of the same item, shown from a slightly different angle. Some of the images are duplicates- the same photo of the Apollo Belvedere appears on page twenty-three and forty-one with a cropped version of the same appearing on page forty. (But this is a nice, sharp higher-quality image!) None of them are captioned. No titles or artists given for the paintings, no dates or regions for the coins or statues. If the images were of decent quality with source information, the book would almost be worth it for the pictorial reference. As it is, what's there is less useful than your typical google image search. In fact, I suspect that that's just what this is. Minus any information that would come along with the image search.

As far as the text goes there's nothing here that couldn't be fund on many basic websites on the subject. In fact, there is significantly less. There is no bibliography. The author mentions a few other authors by last name (No first name. Who the hell is Hermann, for example?), but gives no titles of books. He cites some ancient sources but for the life of me I can't figure out what half of them are because he only uses abbreviations with no key. Every sentence is its own paragraph. The print is huge- sixteen, eighteen points? The first three paragraphs of the book appear on the back cover.

The writing is clumsy and awkward. I find myself wondering if it's an issue of having used a faulty translating service (the book appears to be available in eight different languages, and some of his other books are available in at least a half dozen additional languages.) or if he actually did the English translation himself, it would have been helpful to have someone with a stronger grasp of the language look over it. In any case, it really looks like the translation was done by a babelfish machine.

The er, high point of this book may very well be the author's introduction. Now, it's pretty standard to have a page or so about the author at the end of the book, and often a photo as well. What do we have here but four pages devoted to the author, along with several photos. Included is a numbered list of organizations that he belongs to and awards that he's won. The introduction informs us that "The author has wrote more than 500 books, board games, DVDs and cdroms about ancient and modern history in the fields of economics, technical, board games, martial arts, software, love affairs, feasibilities studies, research, case studies etc. As a reporter, from his teens, the author has written many articles in many newspapers, magazines etc. and was editor in chief in some of them."

(What, he wasn't editor-in-chief of all of them?)

This was when the book was published back in February 2009. As of right now, his Amazon.com author page informs us that "Author and his research work have been distinguished by a lot of official organizations, and Ministries, in Greece and all over the world.
The author has wrote more than 1.300 books, 350 board games, 650 DVDs and 280 cdroms/DVDroms about ancient and modern history in the fields of economics, technical, board games, martial arts, software, love affairs, feasibilities studies, research, case studies, learning languages, logodynamics, inner research etc.
As a reporter, from his teens, the author has written many articles in many newspapers, magazines etc. and was editor in chief in some of them."

Looking at these numbers cited, I initially wonder when he has time to eat or sleep- or breathe what with writing all those books. But then I look at the example in my hands and it becomes immediately apparent how he could conceivably have written so many books. Quantity is clearly the goal. Another book by the author, Hephaestus or Vulcan: The Greatest God was reviewed by another Amazon customer and relays my exact same complaints. (For some unknown reason, this book, which is only fifty-six pages long and almost all pictures costs more than Apollo. Did he have to spend more time on google looking for images or something that it jacked up the cost?)

Finally, when looking over the author's page here on Amazon today, I saw a single discussion had been initiated back in September by another author claiming to hold proof of being plagiarized by Zorzos, and knowing of other authors with the same complaint against him. I've not found anything else on the internet regarding this, but that it's there at all is a glaring red flag, especially considering the number of works he claims to have produced.

For those of you who may be wondering, I filed a return request with Amazon within about an hour of opening the box.

No stars, no love, no thumbs up. If you want a book about Apollo, save your money. You could write a better one yourself. (If you want to buy a book, Fritz Graf's Apollo is much, much better.)