Description  Manolis Bechrakis' book "Medical Schools of Greece" is a valuable chronicle, a personal testimony, and an exciting account of the challenging and eventful establishment of the new Medical Schools in Patras, Ioannina, Alexandroupolis, and Heraklion.

This is one of the most significant post-war works of regional development in Greece, which, however, its inspirers decided, proposed, and implemented within a few years during the tumultuous early years of the post-dictatorship period in the mid-1970s.

The book includes comprehensively and clearly the history of the developments from the day the decision was made to establish the four new Medical Schools until their commencement of operation. It also records many detailed and interesting references to various events, such as the objections and obstacles that many posed in an effort to undermine this nationally significant initiative.

Based on the author's personal and direct knowledge of the events and their behind-the-scenes, as the author was a key player in this laborious effort, Manolis Bechrakis' book captivates, informs, and teaches. It is worth reading not only by those specialized in education but also by every Greek citizen.

The beneficial results of that heroic period are still being experienced today by Greek society as a whole, which rightly can take pride in having some of the world's leading medical schools.

This valuable publication is prefaced by former Prime Minister George Rallis.