The Greek Revolution held special significance for the Americans. The American newspapers of the time called the outbreak of sympathy and support for the Greeks the "Greek Fire," drawing a parallel with the Byzantine incendiary weapon. Although the composition of the Greek fire has been lost over the course of history, the American "Greek Fire" consisted of enthusiasm for the Greek struggle, inspired by the belief that democratic ideals connected the Americans with the ancient Greek past.

However, this book does not merely contain a history of the extent of support provided by the Americans to the Greeks. The movement in favor of Greek independence serves as a unique vehicle to explore American interests in Greece and the Ottoman Empire; to ascertain the ways in which Americans believed they would help the Greeks secure independence, as well as to examine how these efforts influenced reform movements in the 19th century in the USA. American support for the Greek Revolution had social consequences and political impact in the USA, while, conversely, the Greek War of Independence helped Americans to self-identify as a people and to interpret the legacy of the American Revolution on the international stage.