 |
|
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||||
|
 |
|
|||||||
| |
||||||||
|
The personal stories illustrate how the actions of the Greek people helped save democracy and were a turning point in World War II and kindled hope for the final victory of the allied powers. While publishing an underground newspaper during the German occupation of Greece, Mr. Stassinopoulos was arrested and taken first to the Haidari concentration camp in Greece and subsequently to the Neugammen and Beendorf camps in Germany. In a shining period on the world stage, the author recounts how the modern Greeks changed the course of history by: 1. Greece's famous OXI! (NO!) on October 28, 1940 to Mussolini's ultimatum and its defeat of Mussolini's fascist forces in Albania which forced Hitler to divert valuable troops and arms to invade Greece and delay his May 15, 1941 timetable for the invasion of the Soviet Union by several weeks, to June 22, 1941. It overturned German plans to occupy Moscow before the onset of the heavy Russian winter and was a turning point in World War II; 2. Greece's fight against Nazi Germany--the fierce resistance of the Greeks in Macedonia and Crete further delayed Hitler's timetable; 3. The Greek national resistance during the German occupation which took the lives of many German troops and destroyed much German equipment. Hitler was forced to divert 50 battalions to Greece, even though they were desperately needed on the Eastern front and in North Africa; 4. The Greeks faithfully met their obligations to their allies--with heroism and self-sacrifice. By contrast, Turkey broke its commitment to fight on the side of the Allies, and in its neutrality collaborated with Hitler and supplied his armaments industry with vital chromium ore which prolonged World War II by seven months. The decisive contribution of the Greeks was recognized by the leadership of the time, including Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. In this book, he interviews dozens of Greek men and women who fought in the war and explored countless diaries, newspaper articles, and archive materials. The modern Greek comes alive in this book--passionate, determined, and proud. This great occasion in Greek history is an inspiration not just for Greeks around the world but for all who cherish democracy and freedom. For when the world was at risk, a brave people were willing to risk everything. Costas Stassinopoulos played a leading role in Greece's most turbulent decades. He was born in Athens in May 1919. His primary and secondary education were at the Leonteion Lykeion and the Varvakeion School. He studied law at the University of Athens and political science at the Panteion University. From 1941-44 and 1945-50, he was a university tutor under Professor Grigoris Kassimatis and a legal researcher at the Panteion. During the German occupation, together with Professor Kassimatis, he published the underground newspaper To Paron (The Present) and helped in the publication of the newspaper Doxa (Glory). The Foreword is written by the author's daughter, Arianna Stassinopoulos Huffington, nationally syndicated columnist, author and TV commentator. Dr. John Brademas, President Emeritus, New York University said: "Modern Greeks is a powerful account by an eloquent participant in the heroic struggle of the Greek people against Italian forces in World War II, the valorous Greek resistance during German occupation and the bitter tragedy of civil war. If the ancient Greeks invented democracy, twentieth century Greeks were defending it still. This study should particularly inspire all those who want Greece to continue as a vigorous and vibrant democracy into the next century and new millennium." Rev. Demetrios J. Constantelos, Distinguished Professor of History and Religion, Emeritus, The Richard Stockton College, NJ said: "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." John O. Iatrides, Ph. D., Professor of International Politics, Southern Connecticut State University said: "Unlike scholarly studies which often fail to capture the triumph of the human spirit over brute force, Modern Greeks is a moving and inspiring eye-witness account of Greece's heroic resistance to the Axis powers in World War II and an emotional tribute to its contributions to the victory of the Allies." Eugene T. Rossides, Esq., former Assistant Secretary U.S. Treasury and President, AHIF said: "Modern Greeks is a remarkable book about Greece's heroic and turning point role in World War II that is little known nor appreciated outside of Greece. World War II was a defining moment in world history and this book, by an eyewitness and participant, tells a dramatic story of a small nation and its people standing up to the dark forces of fascist evil. It is a very important book for all Americans, particularly Greek Americans and Greek Canadians and their children, to learn of the glory of modern Greece and the sacrifices, honor, suffering and successes of the Greek people and nation and their impact on world history." Modern Greeks is over 300 pages with photographs and sells for $22 plus $3 for postage and handling. It is a timely holiday purchase for Hellenes and Philhellenes and can be ordered through the AHIF.
American Hellenic Institute Foundation |
||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
 |
||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
Lobby Calendar of Events Newsletter Press Releases Annual Report Publications |
||||||||
| | | | | | | | ||