An unexpectedly exciting book. Anyone who has taught, studied, or worked at a Greek University in the last thirty-five years must read it. But also anyone interested in learning how the progressive segment of the post-war middle class lived and what it leaves behind (hence the multifaceted title "Traditions"), that studied at the best universities abroad and returned to their homeland to teach and promote science and research.
Kyrtatos narrates the journey of a tireless and talented researcher and university professor who struggles and ultimately manages to establish a world-class Experimental Laboratory at the National Technical University of Athens, overcoming countless difficulties. The journey is described with the fast pace of a detective novel, where the fate of the mission hangs by a thread at every moment, while hilarious episodes and incredible situations are not lacking.
The book's conclusions about university education, research, university-market collaboration, and the creation of spin-offs through universities are broadly significant. A mandatory read for anyone interested in the future of education in Greece, and beyond.
Professor Xen. Paparrigopoulos, LL.M. (Harvard), S.J.D. (id.)
