In the 1940s, Greece was for a long period a field of devastating war conflicts. First during World War II, then during the Civil War. The Nazi occupation, from 1941 onwards, was extremely harsh. Children were dying of hunger in the streets of Athens. Heroic acts of resistance provoked violent reprisals. Just as Greece was finally liberated from the German boot, the shattered nation found itself facing a civil war.
In this book, the esteemed historian David Brewer explores this tumultuous decade of modern Greek history, examines the involvement of foreign powers, especially Britain and the USA, and their efforts to support the unpopular government of Athens, and outlines prominent personalities - from the fields of politics, the military, and culture - who shaped this significant period. Brewer also attempts to view history from the individual's perspective, the dilemmas faced on a personal level by people caught between the wheels of Resistance and the occupiers during the Occupation, and the opposing political forces in the Civil War.
Brewer's perspective, views, and interpretations regarding the conflicts and forces that shaped modern Greece make this book a work of vital importance for anyone interested in World War II and modern Greek history.