"Kazantzakis' involvement in politics," writes Peter Bien, "essentially reflects the needs of the deeper, more creative level of his personality." In this book, Bien presents a political reading of Nikos Kazantzakis' work, as well as the events of the author's life and how they are reflected in his work.

Starting from the beginning of his career in 1906 and his philosophical studies in Paris, he continues with the description of the development of his idiosyncratic communism, his travels to Russia, and the publishing of his epic, the "Odyssey," in 1938.

Bien emphasizes that politics and religion cannot be understood separately in the evolution of Kazantzakis' thought. His political beliefs actually stem from his religious quest, while his religious search arises from his political beliefs. What concerned him above all was individual salvation. And the very method he used to achieve it was his engagement in politics.

Is salvation found in nationalism? In communism? In fascism? Kazantzakis ultimately rejected all these possible solutions and settled on a "eschatological politics" of spiritual fulfillment.

The book is an essential resource for both scholars of Kazantzakis and the broader reading public who are already familiar with his work, as well as an introduction to the first three decades of his career, useful for approaching the works he wrote after the Odyssey – among them, the novels that earned him worldwide fame.