Nikos Kazantzakis is one of the most under appreciated authors of the 20th century. The fact that this book, arguably his greatest work, is out of print is a prime example of that fact. Many readers have come to the mistaken conclusion that this book is primarily about the Greek, more specifically Cretan, struggle for freedom from Ottoman rule. The subject of this book is far greater. This book is truly about man's struggle for freedom from his own shortcomings. Some may even argue that Kazantzakis is seeking not only to define his own struggle, but also to understand his father. Captain Mihalis (The primary character in the books) is patterned after the author's own father.

I've had the opportunity to read this edition, and Greek editions of this book numerous times over the years, and have never grown tired of this book. I've come away with something new after each reading. I typically find myself conserving pages (reading slower) towards the end of this book because I don't want it to end. This is one of those books that will haunt you after you've read it.

In the island of Crete the Teacher was born. In the island of Crete where his people remained under Turkish occupation for more than two centuries. Is there a diamond in the greek history which cannot be linked to Crete? Incredulous one might remain to extreme stories described-imagined by Kazantzakis, but then let this "Thomas" read into the history of the Cretans, their constant revolts against Othoman occupation, their "aposyrsis" to the mountains where their life displayed the attrocious but noble feature of Freedom. Was/is it really the Turks? No, Kapetan Michalis was not the man to enjoy peace, war and fighting were his nature, there abolished he the tornment of having been given life. Kazantzakis shares: I asked my mother, "How was my grandfather?" "Like your father only darker." "What did he do? " "He fought." "And where there was no war?" "He smoked his pipe and looked at the mountains."

It is the nature of man, the nature of the warrior who restrained from life, restrained because life he has been given , choses he to continue by fighting... It is in this isolation of the self, in this denial of peace that man reaches the crest of alienation, the crest of silent freedom, Death...

This book is incredible. It is an accurate portrayal of Greeks because it was written by a Greek. "Freedom or Death" is too good to be out of print. This is one of Kazantzakis' best novels, even better than "Zorba." It needs to be put back into print, by gum!

This is a stunningly handsome volume; The effort combines scholarly research and an extremely valuable photographic record of many imoportant sites in Crete. The aerial photos are one-of a-kind.

Invaluable for both scholar and Minoan enthusiast. Contains large color photos and drawn plans of major excavations on Crete. Comprhensive tabular commentary by original or current excavator. Low altitude balloon platform provides highly detailed representations.

I bought the first edition in 1996 and have been using it regularly since. Well researched on out of the way places - it's one of the few english-language guides to mention the two tavernas at the tiny Ayios Ghiorgios along the coast from Ayia Ghalini on the south coast, although you can walk it in 30-40 min rather than the 2hrs quoted if you ask the locals the way. Logical layout, decent maps, sensible advice, and not too much history and politics, which just adds bulk to so many guides. On the other hand, just enough about people and customs to be genuinley useful as a starter if you want to move from the north coast tourist strip. I bought the map separately and I don't recommend it. There are 4 decent scale (1:79,000) maps of the Chania, Rethymnon, Iraklio and Lassithi areas available locally. Highly recommended for a first-time visitor.

In preparation for my month in Crete recently, I bought three books...Globetrotter's Travel Pack/Crete, Berlitz's Greek Cassette Pack with Phrase Book and Wicked Greek for the Traveler and out of the three the one that proved most comprehensive and valuable was Globetrotter's Travel Pack. Nick Hanna does not fail the traveler in any aspect of his descriptions...from what sights to see, to accomodations, to where to find a great meal. I stayed with an American friend who has lived in the village of Kiparissos, outside of Chania, for 12 years (and who is considered to be horiata or native) and we were always, genuinely delighted and amazed at the detail Mr. Hanna provided as we adventured around the island of Crete doing the tourist trail with this lovely little book and map in hand.

Outside of the ocasional typo or incorrect telephone number (not unusual for Crete) Globetrotter and Mr. Hanna do a superb job of presenting Crete to the traveler on a silver platter. Bravo!!!!

Powell's work is a must for any archaeological enthusiest. Written with extreme intelligence and backed with remarkable historical fact, the Villa comes alive within the pages of this brilliant piece of scholarship.

A brilliant and somewhat off-beat look at the decades of classicists who stayed at Sir Arthur Evans' house, Villa Ariadne, in Crete, next to the Bronze Age dig Knossos. Dilys Powell's marriage to a young classical archaeologist brought her in contact with Sir Arthur himself and with the numerous archaeologists in his milieu. The chapter on Sir Arthur's Victorian upbringing is perhaps the most interesting of the book. But the death of Powell's husband and World War II plucked Powell from this magical world. After the war, however, she recreated some of the legendary exploits of the classicists who worked for the Greek resistance. A wonderful book for anyone interested in Greek archaeology or who has ever visited Greece.

Excellent resource for ESL students (adults or children ages 11-16+)or remediation - second/third grade readability but high interest. It features the adventures of Corina and Zack to various parts of the world. The publisher (High Noon Books) also has similar books at first grade level and up...high interest, humor, and core background knowledge for those who have not had the advantage of having learned to read in first/second grade.

Air War for Yugoslavia,Greece and Crete is a very accurate record of the the air operations over the Balkans from the initial attack of Italy against Greece until the fall of Crete to the German Fallschirmjaeger.It covers all the actions of the RAF and the Hellenic Air Force against the Regia Aeronautica and the later operations of the Luftwaffe and the Yugoslavian Air Force.After research of the records of all the combattants the writers were able to present a complete picture of their subject.Even though I managed to find some errors(for example,the second line figthers of the Hellenic Air Force were actually 2 Gladiators,2 Avia B-534s and some left over Avia BH33s and not the number of B-534s claimed by the writers)I think that this book is very accurate and an excellent choise to whomever wants to study this front of WWII(altough fairly expensive)

This story is a Grace Livingston Hill rarity, in which the main character does not find a husband/wife at the end of the story. Lucretia "Crete" Ward is a nice old lady who lives with her sister Carrie and niece Luella, both of whom are very selfish and treat her like a slave. Upon learning that Donald, the son of their now-deceased older sister, is coming to visit from out west, Luella fears what others will think of them if they are seen with a "backwoods cousin," so she and her mother hurry away to a fancy resort where Luella is anxious to pursue a young man she is convinced is interested in her, which proves to be all in her head. Donald is actually well-educated and rich, and loves Aunt Crete like a mother, taking her shopping for fancy clothes and paying for French maids to fix up her hair, and then to the very resort where Luella and Carrie are staying. At first they believe Aunt Crete must be rich and famous because she seems to have the best of everything and makes friends with the family of the young man Luella has her heart set on. When they finally recognize her, they try to order Aunt Crete to leave before she "embarasses" them. Donald takes her traveling elsewhere, and she never returns to the women who mistreated her.

This book was written so well that I had a hard time remembering who the author really was. I could relate to Horace and his hungar for acceptance, not from the ones who were closest to him, but the mystery of newness, the mystery of who he really was. The character is simple, yet fascinating in the way he incorporates his writing into his life, creating ideas as he journeys into something he feels so compelled to solve. I could relate to his thoughts and his ways of expressing his passions. We never really know what will happen next in our lives, at any age, life ends when we choose to stop living. Cast in Doubt was an interesting reminder to keep searching within myself, you never know where excitement lies. That is my simple review.

I first heard about the so-called Mediterranean diet from my doctor, who suggested I try this way of eating to lower my cholesterol and lose weight. I found this book to be well written and easy for the lay person to follow. I am happy to report that after only 8 weeks of following the food principles suggested, I lost 14 pounds without effort, and my "bad" cholesterol dropped 30 points and total cholesterol dropped 35 points. I am very happy with these results. I despise traditional low fat diets and don't think that I could stick with one of them over the long haul. However, this diet is very different because it includes healthy fats and oils. For the first time I have hope that I can follow a healthy food plan for life without feeling deprived. My results are proof that one can lose weight and lower cholesterol while eating healthy fats. After about the third week on this food plan, I also experienced a big improvement in my mood; the effects of a healthy fat diet upon the brain were explained in the text as one of the many other "benefits" of the Mediteranean food plan. This is the first time I have tried a diet and actually felt happier on it than before!

This is a wonderful book to add to your library on health. I just wish it would have been called The Omega Health Connection or something without diet in it. The information could help save your life and every bit of advice this dr. makes about Omega fatty acids, olive oil, nuts, meat, eggs, veggi's, fruits, legumes, and whole grains is very practical. I just hope that people will not take this as another diet or quick fix to help them look like a model. And really no "DIET" will ever work until you give up the diet mentality and start eating to live, not living to eat. I suggest everyone who has a weight problem read Diets Don't Work and use the good nutrition advice in the omega connection to provide healthy fuel to keep your body running soundly.

As a registered nurse, I see daily the disease and obesity caused by the standard American diet. This book is the best nutrition book that I have read (and I've read them all!). I even recommend it above Dr. Andrew Weil's "Eating Well for Optimal Health." The point the author tries to make is that one does not need to deprive themselves in order to eat well and be healthy. In fact, the opposite is true; one can feast on meat, fish, and olive oil while losing weight and improving one's health. I have been incorporating many of the author's recommendations into my own lifestyle and have found that I am eating, feeling, and looking better because of it. The recipes in the book are great (especially the Walnut Pesto), and include many savory desserts, meat dishes, fish, vegetable dishes, etc. I would have paid for the recipes alone. My husband has loved the food I've made from this book. Think of this as a "way to live," not as a diet. I have given copies of this book to everyone I love. I wish that this book received more "press" in the media because I really think the information in it could have a huge impact on the health of Americans. HIGHLY recommended--I've read it about 10 times already.