In the 1940s, Greece was for a long time the battleground for destructive military conflicts. First during World War II, and then during the Civil War. The Nazi occupation, from 1941 onwards, was extremely brutal. Children were dying of hunger on the streets of Athens. Heroic acts of resistance provoked violent reprisals.

As soon as Greece was finally liberated from the German boot, the shattered nation found itself facing a civil war. In this book, the distinguished historian David Brewer explores this tumultuous decade of modern Greek history, examining the involvement of foreign powers, especially Britain and the USA, and their attempts to support the unpopular government of Athens.

He outlines prominent figures— from the fields of politics, the military, and culture— who shaped this significant period. Brewer additionally strives to examine history from the perspective of the individual, the dilemmas faced on a personal level by people caught between the wheels of Resistance and the occupiers during the Occupation, as well as the opposing political forces in the Civil War.

Brewer's perspective, views, and interpretations regarding the conflicts and the forces that shaped modern Greece make this book a vital work for anyone interested in World War II and modern Greek history.