As part of a class that I was taking, I was required to read this book and write a 12 page analysis of it. Overall, I enjoyed the book very much, although I probably would not have read it if not for this class. I felt like it offerred a very refreshing and "real" explanation of Greek society as it was in 2004. It was a nice change from the instructors other course material, which by and large painted a rosy glow on all things Greek. I think that the current crisis in Greece shows that things there are not rosy and beautiful, and that Greece has some serious issues to contend with moving forward in the future. I'll spare you my 12 page research analysis, and just hit the highlights :) (you're welcome).

In the book “Facing Athens”, George Sarrinikolaou describes and analyzes his trip back to Greece, where he was born and spent a good portion of his childhood. He writes about this place from the perspective of an American returning to his homeland, which he has been away from for 20 years. Sarrinikolaou picks over Greek culture piece by piece. He alternates between sharing stories of the Greece he remembers as a child, and analyzing how Greece is today. He also keeps in the minds of the readers the historical context for the current status of Greece.

By and large, his analysis is not positive. He describes Greece as a place that was dominated by xenophobia, racism, and corruption. He describes Greece in 2004 as being riddled with basic disregard for the safety and necessities of a functional society. He explains some of the difficult problems that Greece faces and attempts to somewhat illuminate the historical path that Greece took to get there. ( )

Sarrinikolaou paints modern Athens as a city of contradictions. True enough. Two major deficiencies, however, quickly surface in Sarrinikolaou’s account: purpose and perspective. At times, “Facing Athens” has the feel of a city tour, examining the changing neighborhoods around the capital. At other times, “Facing Athens” is the personal memoir of a Greek-American revisiting the homeland of his childhood. While this juxtaposition has great potential, it is done sloppily here, giving the reader the feeling of reading two disjointed works. Secondly, “Facing Athens” lacks perspective. Sarrinikolaou is quite critical of many of the changes in Athens, and many of the attitudes he encounters. However, the difficulties and dereliction found in central Athens, for example, only mimic the pattern set forth by other major European and American cities (perhaps a generation later, due to slower development in Greece). Very little of what Sarrinikolaou describes is unique to Athens. The author comes across as condescending and lacking any sense of evenhandedness. D+ ( )

A quick and thoughtful travel memoir of Athens by a Greek immigrant to the US who returned to Athens in his 30s and took walking tours around town and comments on his personal recollections and thoughts. George focused on things most people disregard - working class people and neighborhoods, Gypsies and Albanian low-wage workers, the corruption and general systematic disregard for the law. The hospital story of bribes for the doctors is frightening.

As both an American and Greek, George is able to write for an American audience but from a Greek perspective. For those of us who see ourselves as "travelers" and not "tourists", George's focus on the street and dark corners is exactly what we are looking for, a "rough guide", but told with respect, humanity and tact.

I found this book for free at "The Great Sage" restaurant in Clarksville, MD in June 2007 - one of the employees set out a box for anyone to take from her personal collection. Thank you anonymous giver, I would have never read it otherwise. ( )