The Ancient Mediterranean  •  Michael Grant CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  1990 •  PAPER  • 374 PAGES Grant, a well known classical scholar, draws on archaeology, geography, art, and economics to paint a vivid picture of ancient cultures, from prehistory through the Roman Imperium, and their influence on western civilization. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs, and 19 maps of the region. (MED10, $18.00)
The Archaeology of Greece: An Introduction  •  William R. Biers HISTORY •  1996 •  PAPER  • 350 PAGES Digging in Greece 101, this book intended for a college audience is an engaging, comprehensive survey of Greek archaeology from the Minoan civilization through the Hellenistic Age. It includes site plans and drawings as well as hundreds of black and white photos of vases, sculpture and other objects. A highly recommended handbook for archaeology-minded travelers to Greece. (GRE71, $24.95)
Art and Experience in Classical Greece  •  J. J. Pollitt ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1972 •  PAPER  • 205 PAGES An illustrated study of Greek sculpture, architecture and painting from 480-320 BC. This exploration places works in the context of the Classical Period by referencing the philosophy, literature, and politics of the time. (GRE272, $26.99)
Blue Guide Greece, The Mainland  •  Sherry Marker  •  James Pettifer GUIDEBOOK •  2006 •  PAPER  • 735 PAGES The best-known and much-loved guide to the archaeology, painting, and sculpture of mainland Greece, this book includes at least a few pages on every site you're likely to visit. With extensive background on the history, art, architecture and culture of the region, serious-minded travelers will not want to be without it. (GRE40, $32.95)
Cadogan Guide Greek Islands  •  Dana Facaros GUIDEBOOK •  2002 •  PAPER  • 634 PAGES A guidebook in the respected British Cadogan series, this comprehensive look at the islands provides insightful cultural and historical background, and up-to-date practical information. The heart of the book is an island-by-island description of the region aimed at the well read traveler. With some illustrations and excellent maps. (GRE25, $19.95)
Corelli's Mandolin  •  Louis De Bernieres LITERATURE •  1995 •  PAPER  • 448 PAGES Set on the Greek Island of Cephallonia during the Italian occupation in the 1940s, this stunning novel is populated by a memorable cast of characters, including a richly imagined father and his daughter, and their circle of friends. A satire of war, this lyrical work captures the humanity, quirks and loves of village life in Greece. Now a major motion picture (and with an unfortunate movie tie-in cover). (GRE51, $14.95)
Crete Map  •  Rough Guide MAP A folded map of Crete at a scale of 1:140,000. Using the latest cartography from the World Mapping Project, the full color map, printed on rip-proof and waterproof paper, includes topographic features, latitude and longitude, and key visitor attractions. (GRE281, $9.99)
Dancing Girl: Themes and Improvisations in a Greek Village Setting  •  Thordis Simonsen TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  1991 •  PAPER  • 200 PAGES A spirited collection of 44 vignettes about life in the Greek village of Elika. Simonsen combines personal reflection with village stories, exploring subjects such as tradition, rites of passage and, of course, dancing. Includes 16 photographs. (GRE86, $14.25)
Eyewitness Guide Greek Islands  •  Eyewitness Guides GUIDEBOOK •  2007 •  PAPER  • 400 PAGES This guide features color photography, dozens of excellent local maps and an island-by-island synopsis of attractions. Handsome, convenient and up-to-date, this compact book provides an essential overview of the Greek Islands (with a chapter on Athens and a section on practicalities). (GRE37, $25.00)
Fodor's Exploring the Greek Islands  •  Sylvie Franquet GUIDEBOOK •  2007 •  PAPER  • 288 PAGES With its many photographs, great introductory chapters and practical travel information, this book is an excellent overview of the main Greek Islands and their attractions. Featuring an island-by-island description of the region, scads of maps and separate sections on suggested places to visit, recommended walks, practical information, ratings of sights, and a chronology of historic events. (GRE47, $22.00)
A Geological Companion to Greece and the Aegean  •  Michael Higgins NATURAL HISTORY •  1996 •  HARD COVER  • 256 PAGES A popular account of the geology of the Aegean, with detailed local maps, satellite photographs and a glossary. Written for the traveler, it places particular emphasis on archaeological sites and the development of settlements. (GRE49, $75.50)
Gods and Heroes, A Family Tree of Greek Mythology  •  University of North Carolina REFERENCE •  1996 •  POSTER • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A guide to who's who in the world of the ancient Greeks in the form of a stunning four-foot by three-foot poster, handsomely printed in red, back and gold. (GRE34, $35.00)
The Gothic Enterprise, A Guide to Understanding the Medieval Cathedral  •  Robert A. Scott ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2005 •  PAPER  • 307 PAGES Scott, whose interest in the history of cathedrals began when he first saw the magnificent Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Salisbury, England, takes his reader on a historical, architectural and sociological tour of the magnificent spires and stained-glass windows that dot the landscape of Europe. It's an accessible, personable overview. (EUR190, $17.95)
Greece Map  •  Michelin Travel Publications 2005 •  MAP An excellent, large map of mainland Greece and the islands across to Turkey at a scale of 1:700,000. With good topographic detail, roads and attractions. Unlike many Greece maps, this one includes the Turkish coast from Istanbul south to the latitude of Rhodes. (GRE65, $11.95)
Greek Art  •  Nigel Spivey ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1997 •  PAPER  • 448 PAGES Geared towards art history students, this concise survey of Greek art is also an excellent overview of the subject for the traveler. Divided thematically, it covers major artists, myths and plays in addition to temple sculpture and architecture. With 200 photographs and mostly color illustrations. A volume in the Art & Ideas series. (GRE68, $24.95)
Greek Civilization, An Introduction  •  Brian A. Sparkes HISTORY •  1998 •  PAPER  • 256 PAGES An overview of the ancient Greeks and their world, this comprehensive, illustrated book includes chapters on the physical environment, archaic and classical periods and legacy of classical Greece for western civilization. With 100 maps and black-and-white photographs. Written for a college audience, it serves equally well as survey for the interested traveler. (GRE54, $34.95)
The Greek Myths, Complete Edition  •  Robert Graves LITERATURE •  1993 •  PAPER A classic collection of Greek myths written in a simple, narrative style by Robert Graves, author of I, Claudius (ITL429). (GRE274, $19.95)
The Greeks and Greek Civilization  •  Jacob Burckhardt  •  Oswyn Murray  •  Sheila Stern HISTORY •  1998 •  PAPER  • 448 PAGES Continuously in print since its publication in 1860, this is a ground-breaking book that has shaped our modern view of ancient Greece, focused on the Greek character as revealed by its literature. Ably edited and abridged by Oxford historian Oswyn Murray. (GRE64, $18.95)
A Handbook of Greek Art: A Survey of the Visual Arts  •  Gisela M. A. Richter ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1994 •  PAPER  • 432 PAGES Arranged by subject, this illustrated handbook covers in depth the whole range of Hellenic art, from architecture to sculpture, furniture, ornament and pottery. With 520 black-and-white illustrations. (GRE16, $22.95)
Helmet of Horror  •  Victor Pelevin LITERATURE •  2006 •  HARD COVER  • 288 PAGES Pelevin's reimagination of the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur occurs in an Internet chat room. Two isolated strangers enter an inescapable dialogue defined by the Helmet of Horror. Its wearer is Asterisk, a force for good and ill in which the Minotaur is forever present and Theseus is the great unknown. A darker exploration of postmodern epistemological uncertainty, guided by the figures of classical mythology. (GRE250, $18.95)
Helmet of Horror  •  Victor Pelevin LITERATURE •  2006 •  HARD COVER  • 288 PAGES Pelevin's reimagination of the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur occurs in an Internet chat room. Two isolated strangers enter an inescapable dialogue defined by the Helmet of Horror. Its wearer is Asterisk, a force for good and ill in which the Minotaur is forever present and Theseus is the great unknown. A darker exploration of postmodern epistemological uncertainty, guided by the figures of classical mythology. (GRE250, $18.95)
Here Is Where We Meet  •  John Berger LITERATURE •  2006 •  PAPER  • 256 PAGES This novel weaves a portrait of several European countries through encounters with the dead, from the narrator's mother, whom he discovers on a park bench in Lisbon, to a childhood friend wandering a market in Krakow. "The dead don't stay where they are buried," the protagonist's mother tells him, and this becomes the mantra for this most unusual journey through Europe's history and people. (EUR189, $14.00)
Hippocratic Writings  •  G.E.R Lloyd  •  W.N. Mann HISTORY •  1984 •  PAPER A collection of writings attributed to Hippocrates, though most likely written by early Greek doctors and medical ethicists. The message throughout is clearly Hippocratic, though, and each piece shares the common goal of fleshing out the role of medicine and the physician in society. (GRE161, $15.00)
The Iliad of Homer  •  Homer  •  Robert Fagles LITERATURE •  1990 •  PAPER  • 704 PAGES Acclaimed translator Robert Fagles captures the poetry and power of Homer's "Iliad," the astonishing tale of the Trojan war and rage of Achilles that is one of the foundations of western literature. This 1990 version has been much praised for its expressiveness and clarity. A talented and adventurous writer, Fagles has just completed a lively new translation of the Odyssey, the "sequel" to the Iliad focusing on Odysseus' ten-year adventure home. (GRE20, $14.00)
Insight Guide Mediterranean Cruises  •  Insight Guides GUIDEBOOK •  2004 •  PAPER  • 300 PAGES Covering 120 ports of call throughout the Mediterranean from the Canary Islands to Egypt. (MED94, $22.95)
Knopf Guide Athens and the Peloponnese  •  Knopf Guides GUIDEBOOK •  2006 •  PAPER  • 404 PAGES This stunning volume in the "Knopf" series is packed with color photographs, maps and illustrations. Designed for heavy use, it's stitched, glued, and comes in a durable plastic cover. It presents a wealth of background information on history and the arts, along with elaborate street maps and a practical section on restaurants, shopping and excursions. (GRE10, $26.00)
A Literary Companion to Travel in Greece  •  Richard Stoneman ANTHOLOGY •  1994 •  PAPER  • 347 PAGES Poetry, prose and literature over the ages, arranged geographically with an excellent introduction and commentary. Stoneman artfully weaves together hundreds of short excerpts from the likes of Homer, Byron, Twain, and Kazantzakis, drawing heavily on 19th-century British literature. (GRE06, $19.95)
Lonely Planet Greece  •  David Willett GUIDEBOOK •  2008 •  PAPER  • 712 PAGES A comprehensive, practical travel guide to Greece for the independent traveler. It features maps, a good overview of culture, history and nature, and much nuts-and-bolts information on excursions, accomodations and sightseeing. With color photographs and excellent travel information. (GRE50, $24.99)
Lonely Planet Greece  •  David Willett GUIDEBOOK •  2008 •  PAPER  • 712 PAGES A comprehensive, practical travel guide to Greece for the independent traveler. It features maps, a good overview of culture, history and nature, and much nuts-and-bolts information on excursions, accomodations and sightseeing. With color photographs and excellent travel information. (GRE50, $24.99)
Mammals of Europe  •  Priscilla Barrett  •  David W. MacDonald FIELD GUIDE •  2002 •  PAPER  • 320 PAGES Published by Princeton, this is a field guide to land and marine mammals throughout Europe, both endemic and introduced. With more than 600 color illustrations of over 200 mammals, it's a comprehensive handbook, with detailed descriptions, range maps and commentary on behavior. (FG61, $34.95)
The Middle Sea, A History of the Mediterranean  •  John Julius Norwich HISTORY •  2007 •  PAPER  • 720 PAGES • NEW A marvelous writer who has already tackled Byzantium, the Normans in Sicily and Venice, Norwich spins his magic in this story of culture, trade and politics, royalty and rulers, wars and religion in the Mediterranean from antiquity to the end of the First World War. (MED98, $20.00)
The Most Beautiful Villages of Greece  •  Mark Ottaway CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  1998 •  HARD COVER  • 234 PAGES Organized geographically, this handsome oversize picture book is an illustrated portrait of Greece. Hundreds of color photographs accompany lively essays by the chief travel writer for the London Sunday Times. Part of a popular series, it also contains maps and a travel guide. (GRE273, $40.00)
The Naked Olympics, The True Story of the Ancient Games  •  Tony Perrottet HISTORY •  2004 •  PAPER  • 214 PAGES This entertaining, short account uncovers the naked truth behind the brutal, decidely offbeat ancient Olympics. From the painful initiation for athletes to the debauchery outside the stadium, Perrottet covers the history of the games in a style which combines frank humor with the immediacy of sports writing. (GRE196, $13.95)
North of Ithaka, A Granddaughter Returns to Greece and Discovers Her Roots  •  Eleni N. Gage BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2006 •  PAPER  • 304 PAGES A New Yorker and successful magazine editor but with a past, Eleni Gage returns to the village where her father Nicholas was born -- and her grandmother murdered. Her down-to-earth account of rebuilding her family home in remote Epiros (the mountainous region of Northwest Greece on the border with Albania) continues a family story begun by her father 20 years ago. She opens her memoir with a village celebration of the completion of her house and the traditions surrounding the event. (GRE255, $13.95)
The Olive, Tree of Civilization  •  John Train  •  Mark E. Smith HISTORY •  2004 •  HARD COVER  • 128 PAGES A history of the celebrated vegetable and the mythology behind it. (NAT72, $25.00)
On the Shores of the Mediterranean  •  Eric Newby TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  1998 •  PAPER  • 486 PAGES A sparkling observer and famously entertaining writer, Newby tackles the Mediterranean in these merry essays. He finds himself in North Africa, the Adriatic, Venice, Naples, the Greek Islands, Turkey, Cairo and Jerusalem. (MED25, $14.95)
Oxford History of Greece and the Hellenistic World, The World of the Romans  •  John Boardman HISTORY •  1991 •  PAPER  • 446 PAGES This large, scholarly volume is a reader on ancient Greece by 15 contributors, a comprehensive survey from the Archaic Period through the life and society of Homer to classical Greece. Authoritative and illustrated, it invites selective reading. Each chapter concludes with a useful bibliography. (GRE13, $22.50)
The Parthenon  •  Mary Beard ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2002 •  HARD COVER  • 209 PAGES Cambridge University classicist Mary Beard brings the Parthenon to life in this lively tale of the construction, significance and many uses -- cathedral, mosque, cultural icon -- of the 2,500-year-old Athenian marvel. With 24 black-and-white photographs, a few illustrations, site and building diagrams and a map. The book is both an introduction to the ancient Greeks and an engaging guide to the Parthenon. She opens with a chapter "Why the Parthenon Might make You Cry." A volume in the Harvard University Press series, Wonders of the World. (GRE195, $19.95)
Pimsleur Quick & Simple Greek  •  Pimsleur Language Method LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS •  2005 •  AUDIO CD Four audio CDs with eight 30-minute lessons in basic Greek, covering elementary vocabulary and phrases used in travel and everyday situations. The Pimsleur method emphasizes the use of listening skills without reading materials (so there isn't a book to follow along). It's advertised as "Totally audio: hear it, learn it, speak it." (GRE240, $19.95)
Plant Life in the World's Mediterranean Climates  •  Paul Dallman NATURAL HISTORY •  1998 •  PAPER  • 210 PAGES Richly illustrated, clearly written and engaging, this book is an ecological overview of the landscapes, plants and vegetation types found in Mediterranean climates. It's an eye-opening guide to California, Chile, South Africa, Australia and -- naturally -- the Mediterranean. (MED21, $35.95)
The Rise of Christianity  •  Rodney Stark RELIGION •  1997 •  PAPER  • 272 PAGES The subtitle to this book says it all: "How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries." More a sociological study than a religious history, the book delves into what compelled so many people to convert to the then infant religion. (MED64, $14.95)
Songs on Bronze, The Greek Myths Made Real  •  Nigel Spivey LITERATURE •  2005 •  PAPER  • 272 PAGES A lively and artful retelling of the myths of Ancient Greece by Cambridge classicist Nigel Spivey. (GRE254, $14.00)
The Tomb of Agamemnon  •  Cathy Gere  •  Mary Beard HISTORY •  2006 •  HARD COVER  • 208 PAGES An enlightening brief guide to the archaeological site (a fortified hill in the Peloponnese), its history and current scholarship on the Bronze Age. Originally excavated by Heinrich Schliemann, the archaeology of the site has been much debated over the years. With a guide to the site at Mycenae. The remarkable gold artifacts from the site, including the famous mask of Agamemmnon, are among the treasures of the national archaeological museum. (GRE252, $19.95)
Travelers' Tales, A Woman's Europe  •  Marybeth Bond  •  Mary Morris ANTHOLOGY •  2004 •  PAPER  • 298 PAGES This entertaining collection depicts Europe through the eyes of a diverse group of women writers, including Frances Mayes, Jan Morris and Mary Morris. These humorous and well-written true stories capture the misadventures, discoveries and slices of life that the continent (and travel!) has to offer. (EUR160, $17.95)
A Traveller's History of Greece  •  Timothy Boatswain  •  Colin Nicolson HISTORY •  2000 •  PAPER  • 344 PAGES A nicely written survey of Greece from prehistory through the 1990s: wide-ranging, accessible and necessarily condensed. With a useful chronology and historical gazetteer. Five out of 21 chapters devoted to the 20th century, making this book a good choice for those interested in modern Greek history. (GRE55, $14.95)
The Virtues of War, A Novel of Alexander the Great  •  Steven Pressfield LITERATURE •  2004 •  HARD COVER  • 368 PAGES This rousing historical novel, by the bestselling author of Gates of Fire, is narrated by none other than Alexander the Great. Pressfield (recently made an honorary citizen of Sparta) is a terrific storyteller, who wraps his fictions in rich historical detail. (GRE209, $24.95)
The World of Odysseus  •  Moses I. Finley HISTORY •  2002 •  PAPER  • 205 PAGES A classic portrait of ancient Greek society based in large part on the author's ground-breaking interpretation of the Iliad and Odyssey, first published in 1954. This short book takes the form of essays on "Household, Kin and Community, Morals and Values," and other illuminating topics. (GRE76, $14.00)