Modern Greeks: Greece in World War II: The German Occupation and National Resistance and Civil War [Hardcover]

Costas Stassinopoulos (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 2005 | ISBN-10: 1889247014 | ISBN-13: 978-1889247014

A gripping story of struggle and triumph in Greece in 1940'ss concentrating on three critical phases of Greek history: The war against the Italians and Germans; the national resistance, and the civil war that followed. Stassinopoulos fought in the heroic resistance against the fascist invaders and vividly recounts the sacrifice, honor, and successes of the Greek armed forces and the Greek guerrillas drew the admiration of the free world and kindled hope for Allied powers's victory.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 300 pages
• Publisher: American Hellenic Institute Foundation, Inc. (February 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889247014
• ISBN-13: 978-1889247014
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,501,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Make up your own mind., October 29, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Modern Greeks: Greece in World War II: The German Occupation and National Resistance and Civil War (Hardcover)

I'm not sure what the agenda of the previous reviewer may be, but I am sure that I got a lot out of this book. Contrary to statements about the inadequacy of the research this excellently written, attractively produced and affordably priced book is a "must" reading for every Greek American and, indeed, anyone interested in historical truth, human values, freedom and democracy. It tells the story of the contributions of the modern Greeks to these values during the decade of the 1940s. It is a story of triumph and glory, but also a story of pain, suffering and internal conflicts.

Though mostly a personal account of first-hand knowledge and experience intended for the average reader, the present book is one of the most authoritative works written about modern Greece, its role is World War II, the Nazi and Fascist occupations of Greece, its national resistance movement and the ensuing conflicts, or the Civil War of 1944 to 1949. The decade of the 1940s saw Greece climbing a Golgotha, making a sacrifice of nearly 700,000 of its people against the evil forces of fascism, nazism, and communism.

The author was an eyewitness to and a participant in many of the events he describes. He began his career as an academician, served as a journalist and publisher of newspapers, and worked actively in the resistance movement. Furthermore he himself experienced the brutality and horrors of the German occupation and German camp atrocities. First he was captured by the Gestapo, imprisoned in a concentration camp in Attica and soon after he was sent to Newgamnen and Beendorf concentration camps in Germany.

Following the liberation of Greece, he became General Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and served the country in several other capacities. Though he uses important archival materials and sound bibliographies, as an insider he writes with impartiality and sensitivity. The first part of his book reminded me of O Polemos tes Hellados 1940-1941 (The Greek War of 1940-1941) by Alexandros Papagos which I had read a few weeks before I received the Stassinopoulos's book. While Papagos provides step by step chronicle of the events leading to the Italian invasion and the Greek resistance during the 1940-1941 period, Stassinopoulos presents a wholistic picture of the 1940-1949 events.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Complex issue, Good intentions, Bad Book, January 27, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Modern Greeks: Greece in World War II: The German Occupation and National Resistance and Civil War (Hardcover)

As a fellow Greek-American and student of the Greek Civil War, I must say that this book only perpetuates a number inaccurate popular myths about this difficult and still controversial time in modern Greek history.

There is no true bibliography and many of the authors assumptions and historical assessments appear to be based on speeches and memoirs of only a few people (including Churchill's memoirs, considered by most historians to be of questionable historical value).

If you are truly interested learning more on the subject, I strongly recommend David Close's book "The Greek Civil War" or Mark Mazower's "Inside Hitler's Greece". Both books do a great job of cutting through the political rhetoric which taints many other works of modern Greek history.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise, Honest and Historical, July 4, 2010

By 

JJ (Earth) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Modern Greeks: Greece in World War II: The German Occupation and National Resistance and Civil War (Hardcover)

To anyone who is interested in learning more about Greek history during the period of the 1940's, this book is a must read!

The writer (Costa Stassinopoulos) begins with the turmoil of pre-war politics and the instability that was prevelant in Greece at the time. He then continues an exciting ride through the Italian ultimatum (the OHI / OXH) and how the Greeks fought and actually repelled their invaders. He then continues to write in detail regarding the following German invasion with first hand accounts; some of which included his capture, torture and incarceration in several German concentration camps.

Costa finally writes about one of the most controversial subjects of Greek modern history, the Greek Civil War. There are many misconceptions, erroneous judgements and outright lies regarding this period. Usually this subject is expounded from an English, US or royalist perspective. It is refreshing to read about this subject from an honest GREEK perspective.

In every instance Costa brings a well balanced, honest and factual account of this period of Greek history. In summary, I would highly recommend this book to foreign and Greek reader alike.

A great buy!!