History Books

Η Ελλάδα του Όθωνα

Author: Edmond About

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...

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...

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Description

Description

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.

Manufacturer

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Specifications

Specifications

Author
Edmond About
Publisher
Metaichmio
Skroutz Book Awards 2025
-
Type
Ακαδημαϊκή Ιστορία
Theme
Modern and Contemporary Greece
Time Period
Greek Revolution (1821)
Language
Greek
Cover
Soft
Number of Pages
448
Release Date
1/2018
Publication Date
2018
Dimensions
21x14 cm
ISBN-13
9786180308716

Important information

Specifications are collected from official manufacturer websites. Please verify the specifications before proceeding with your final purchase. If you notice any problem you can report it here.

See all specifications

Reviews (4)

Reviews

  1. 4
  2. 4 stars
    0
  3. 3 stars
    0
  4. 2 stars
    0
  5. 1 star
    0
Review this product
  • Paper quality
  • Was it easy to read?
  • Was it interesting enough?
  • I liked the writing style
  • I would read a book by the same author
  • I would recommend it for reading
  • amazing book. it leaves you with a sad feeling because it was written in 1855 and you realize that nothing has changed for 170 years.

    Translated from Greek ·
    • Paper quality
    • Was it easy to read?
    • Was it interesting enough?
    • I liked the writing style
    • I would read a book by the same author
    • I would recommend it for reading
    Did you find this review helpful?
  • Spyrious

    Verified purchase

    Very beautiful description of Greece in its early years as a State. Abu presents his experience in an objective way without disparaging anyone and often in a humorous manner. The book is a good foundation because things are as they are and it is difficult to change even in our days. I highly recommend it!

    Translated from Greek ·
    Did you find this review helpful?
  • Verified purchase

    It's perfect, it's like it was written just now

    Translated from Greek ·
    • Paper quality
    • Was it easy to read?
    • Was it interesting enough?
    • I liked the writing style
    • I would read a book by the same author
    • I would recommend it for reading
    Did you find this review helpful?
    • Paper quality
    • Was it easy to read?
    • Was it interesting enough?
    • I liked the writing style
    • I would read a book by the same author
    • I would recommend it for reading
  • amazing book. it leaves you with a sad feeling because it was written in 1855 and you realize that nothing has changed for 170 years.

    Translated from Greek ·
    0
  • Very beautiful description of Greece in its early years as a State. Abu presents his experience in an objective way without disparaging anyone and often in a humorous manner. The book is a good foundation because things are as they are and it is difficult to change even in our days. I highly recommend it!

    Translated from Greek ·
    0
  • It's perfect, it's like it was written just now

    Translated from Greek ·
    0
  • 0
  • See all

Description & Specifications

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.

Manufacturer

Author
Edmond About
Publisher
Metaichmio
Skroutz Book Awards 2025
-
Type
Ακαδημαϊκή Ιστορία
Theme
Modern and Contemporary Greece
Time Period
Greek Revolution (1821)
Language
Greek
Cover
Soft
Number of Pages
448
Release Date
1/2018
Publication Date
2018
Dimensions
21x14 cm
ISBN-13
9786180308716

Important information

Specifications are collected from official manufacturer websites. Please verify the specifications before proceeding with your final purchase. If you notice any problem you can report it here.

Reviews (4)

  1. 4
  2. 4 stars
    0
  3. 3 stars
    0
  4. 2 stars
    0
  5. 1 star
    0
Review this product
  • Paper quality
  • Was it easy to read?
  • Was it interesting enough?
  • I liked the writing style
  • I would read a book by the same author
  • I would recommend it for reading
  • amazing book. it leaves you with a sad feeling because it was written in 1855 and you realize that nothing has changed for 170 years.

    Translated from Greek ·
    • Paper quality
    • Was it easy to read?
    • Was it interesting enough?
    • I liked the writing style
    • I would read a book by the same author
    • I would recommend it for reading
    Did you find this review helpful?
  • Spyrious

    Verified purchase

    Very beautiful description of Greece in its early years as a State. Abu presents his experience in an objective way without disparaging anyone and often in a humorous manner. The book is a good foundation because things are as they are and it is difficult to change even in our days. I highly recommend it!

    Translated from Greek ·
    Did you find this review helpful?
  • Verified purchase

    It's perfect, it's like it was written just now

    Translated from Greek ·
    • Paper quality
    • Was it easy to read?
    • Was it interesting enough?
    • I liked the writing style
    • I would read a book by the same author
    • I would recommend it for reading
    Did you find this review helpful?
    • Paper quality
    • Was it easy to read?
    • Was it interesting enough?
    • I liked the writing style
    • I would read a book by the same author
    • I would recommend it for reading
  • amazing book. it leaves you with a sad feeling because it was written in 1855 and you realize that nothing has changed for 170 years.

    Translated from Greek ·
    0
  • Very beautiful description of Greece in its early years as a State. Abu presents his experience in an objective way without disparaging anyone and often in a humorous manner. The book is a good foundation because things are as they are and it is difficult to change even in our days. I highly recommend it!

    Translated from Greek ·
    0
  • It's perfect, it's like it was written just now

    Translated from Greek ·
    0
  • 0
  • See all
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