ABC-CLIO Modern Greece (Understanding Modern Nations)

Product Description This volume provides an overview of the history of Greece, while also focusing on contemporary Greece. Coverage includes 21st-century challenges such as the economic crisis and the influx of immigrants and refugees that is changing the country's character. This latest volume in the Understanding Modern Nations series explores Greece, the birthplace of democracy and Western philosophical ideas. This thematic encyclopedia is one-of-its kind in its down-to-earth approach and comprehensive analysis of complex issues now facing Greece. It analyzes topics such as government and economics without jargon and brings a lighthearted approach to chapters on topics such as etiquette (e.g., what gestures to avoid so as not to offend), leisure (how Greeks celebrate holidays), and language (the meaning of "opa"). No other book on Greece is organized like this thematic encyclopedia, which has more than 200 entries on topics ranging from Archimedes to refugees. Unique to this encyclopedia is a "Day in the Life" section that explores the actions and thoughts of a high school student, a bank employee, a farmer in a small village, and a retired couple, giving readers a vivid snapshot of life in Greece. "Day in the Life" features portray the specific daily activities of various people in Greece, from teenagers to working adults in different fields, thereby providing readers with insight into daily life in the country. Key terms related to the reading are defined in a Glossary appendix. A chart of National Holidays provides at-a-glance information about Greece's important religious and secular holidays. Photos and sidebars illuminate the text, helping to illustrate key topics and allow students to dive more deeply into ideas. Sidebars provide fun facts and anecdotal information that help to engage readers. About the Author Elaine Thomopoulos, PhD, an independent scholar, wrote the History of Greece (Greenwood). She served as a managing editor of and contributor to The National Herald, a Greek American newspaper.