What is Abu's Greece? First of all, he belongs to that generation of educated Frenchmen who saw Greece as a dream. Does he become disillusioned with reality when he wakes up from his dream? The clarity of his gaze, the transparency does not betray disappointment... Abu has left us one of the clearest and most lucid descriptions of our country, and our people, in the early steps of its modern history. And the subtle observations that may have cost him popularity in our lands, however, constitute first-class material for our own self-awareness.

From the preface by Takis Theodoropoulos, the emblematic work of Edmond Abu on 19th century Greece was published in 1855 and stirred a storm of reactions. Society, economy, religion, administration, politics—nothing escapes the astute gaze and the caustic pen of the French traveler. For several years, Abu's work was considered even defamatory. However, criticism now recognizes the spirit of the author: It is the perspective of a philhellene who can only identify the contradictory elements of Greek identity, without ignoring the achievements but also without neglecting the flaws.

A unique historical read that manages to remain relevant, thanks to the inevitable comparisons with today's era. Every coin has its other side; it is indeed rare for a virtue not to also be a distortion. In Greeks, the love for freedom equates to disdain for laws and for any legitimate authority; the love for equality often manifests as wild jealousy towards those who stand out; short-sighted patriotism becomes selfishness, and the commercial spirit touches on deceit.