Eleftherios Venizelos is perhaps the most comprehensive of the political leaders that Greece has known. The prominent Cretan did not always have the honesty of intentions of Kapodistrias, the democratic competence of Charilaos Trikoupis, or the concern for the moral formation of the Greeks that Karamanlis demonstrated.

However, he had something that none of the above acquired to the superlative degree. The irresistible magnetism that few leaders exert on their followers worldwide. Throughout his life, he managed to maintain the adoration of a significant part of the people, even after his death.

He stirred the crowds, becoming an idol but also an object of hatred for thousands of Greeks. And all this without there being a representative type of Greek. Being an innovative personality, he established a new kind of politician, unprecedented and without a successor.

Our very memory, when prompted to recall the pantheon of modern Greek politicians, will I believe first put Venizelos in the order that he will be recalled.

[Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]