The Greek Revolution: 1821 and the Making of Modern Europe

Mark Mazower is not only a great historian, he is also an accomplished writer. He managed to keep my interest in every page though some events I knew already. The main quality of the book is a combination of high academic standards and research with an excellent narrative. The book shows the importance of the Greek War of independence for the European History. The book shows also the dark side of the conflict, extreme violence from both sides as well as Greek internal violent conflicts. He also shows the importance of the European (and world) public opinion, how the philhellenic movement developed and how the Great Powers decided to help Greece. Through this chaotic war, however, a new modern state emerged which managed to create one of the most advanced constitutional democracies of the 19th century and also to triple its territory in less than 100 years.A big thank to Mark Mazower for all his historical writings and most particularly for this last one.Aristotelis GavriliadisBrussels

Having grown up in Greece and studied history in the Greek school system I am familiar with country's history. The manner in which the 1821 revolution was taught in the 60's left a lot to be desired. Superficial and over-hyped nationalistic propaganda. My own history teacher was not permitted to publish his book on Greek history to be used in schools, because he wanted to include some uncomfortable truths and facts. This book definitely provides a more objective and detail perspective. I was introduced to so many interesting, balanced aspects and insights of how the Greek nation was created. Well worth reading.Importantly it does highlight two issues on which one should draw comparisons with modern day Greece.The author does not shy away from the frequent mentions of the internal squabbling amongst various factions, regions, tribes and families having as their ultimate criteria and objective self enrichment at the detriment of their fellow Greeks rather than striving for the benefit of the nation. This unfortunately continuous to be a characteristic of modern Greece and Greeks. The second fascinating aspect of the creation of the Greek state exposed and highlighted by the author is the role key foreign states (Powers) played, at the exclusion of Greeks themselves, in the development and the definition of the Greek nation. History seems to have repeated itself yet again during the recent European economic crisis when the EU absolutely dictated and controlled practically every aspect of life in Greece. Greece was created based on international debt and continued to be put in the same position in the 20th century. by politicians in Brussels.

This book offers a beautifully written narrative of the Greek Revolution which includes exciting set pieces, such as the fall of Mesolonghi and the battle of Navarino. This traditional exterior obscures how radical a re-interpretation it contains. Essentially, the author brings clarity to one of the most complex events of the 19th century by making it central, rather than peripheral, to the struggle between the forces of liberalism and reaction that dominated Europe after the Napoleonic Wars. But he never forgets the Greeks. He closes with a brilliant epilogue on the discovery of a wonder-working icon on the island of Tenos, which grounds the Greek Revolution in Greek realities.

Mark Mazower is a blessing for us Greeks. His incomparably expert view teaches us what so many years of compulsory education about 1821 could not. What really happened and why. Not least, in a delightful writing style that makes this book a page turner.The introduction of the book is the most lucid, insightful and succinct summary I have ever read about the revolution.An unmissable book for anyone even remotely interested in this topic.

For those interested in wars of liberation, this book is of great interest.For Greeks around the world celebrating the 200th anniversary of the start of the revolution against Ottoman oppression, may serve to remind us of the historical events that took place at the time, and that is well presented.However, the book doesn't have the same emotional impact that listening to my history teacher talking about the heroes, the battles, the self sacrifice the passion for liberation that she conveyed in her lessons, all those years ago in my youth.