Introduction

Abstract

The book is about Eleftherios Venizelos, the great Greek leader of the modern period, his achievements and personality. It addresses Greek nationalism, political leadership, and Venizelos's influence on Greek history and politics. He dominated Greece from 1910 to 1936. He worked for the expansion of Greek territory to include as many Greek communities as possible (the 'Great Idea'). Also for reform and modernization of Greek institutions, a more just society, and to bring Greece closer to western Europe. The author describes his charisma, liberalism, and decisive role in the constitutional and political reforms of his early administrations, leading to the Balkan Wars in which Greece's territory and population were almost doubled. A second volume will deal with the First World War, the division of the country into hostile Venizelist and anti-Venizelist camps in the so-called national schism, the Asia Minor catastrophe and Venizelos's subsequent career. The author states his personal interest, symbolized by the British Embassy Athens, formerly Venizelos's house, where he served as British ambassador.