The French traveler Edmond About settled in Athens in 1851 and during his four-year stay, he toured the entire country. Upon returning to Paris, he published his book "Greece Contemporaine" in which he comments, with a rather critical spirit, on the political and social situation of Greece at that time.

It is the critical perspective of a philhellene who cannot help but identify the contradictory elements of Greek identity, without overlooking the achievements but also without ignoring the flaws. One of the most iconic works about 19th-century Greece, a penetrating presentation of the woes that have plagued the country over the past two centuries, through the eyes of a foreign commentator.

What is About's Greece? First of all, he belongs to that generation of educated Frenchmen who saw Greece as a dream. Is he disappointed by the reality when he wakes up from his dream? The clarity of his vision, the lucidity does not betray disappointment... About has bequeathed us one of the clearest and most lucid descriptions of our country, and our people, in the early steps of its modern history. And subtle observations that may have cost him popularity in our parts, but constitute first-class material for our self-awareness.

(from the preface by Takis Theodoropoulos)

Edmond About's iconic work on 19th-century Greece was published in 1855 and sparked a storm of reactions. Society, economy, religion, administration, politics, nothing escapes the sharp eye and caustic pen of the French traveler. For many years, About's work was considered even defamatory. However, now criticism recognizes the spirit of the author: It is the perspective of a philhellene who cannot help but identify the contradictory elements of Greek identity, without overlooking the achievements but also without ignoring the flaws.

A unique historical read that manages to remain relevant, thanks to the inevitable comparisons with today's era.

Every coin has its other side, it is indeed rare for a virtue not to also be a vice. In Greeks, the love for freedom equates to contempt for laws and any legitimate authority; the love for equality often manifests as wild jealousy towards all those who stand out; shortsighted patriotism becomes selfishness and the commercial spirit touches on deceit.