Product Description

Cyprus - an island that has always been a victim of external 'realpolitic'. It still remains so today. The history of Cyprus is one of the oldest recorded in the world. From the earliest times Cyprus' historical significance far outweighed its small size. Its strategic position at the crossroads of three continents, as well as its considerable supplies of copper, other precious metals, and timber combines to make it a highly desirable territorial acquisition.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #362386 in Books
• Published on: 2005-05-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

About the Author
Dr Stavros Panteli

Customer Reviews

A Hellenist's history of modern Cyprus
At the time of writing, a heated argument is under way between Greek Cypriots over the proposal that new history books should be prepared to replace the current books, with their strong anti-Turkish and Turkish Cypriot bias, from which Greek Cypriot children are taught in their history class at schools. This will become necessary in the event that; should on-going discussions between the two communities bear fruit,a single non partisan account of the country's history will; or at least should; be taught in all schools to all children,of each community.
But the proponents of the new books hit a brick wall with the suggestion that Greek Cyprus must now accept it's share of responsibility for the inter communal violence of the period from independence until July 1974; and the internicine strife which lead ultimately to the Greek/Greek Cypriot coup which, temporarily deposed Makarios, and triggered the subsequent invasion by Turkey on 20 July 1974. Greek Cypriot history routinely ignores the events that occurred between independence and 20 July 1974, along with any suggestions of Greek Cypriot culpability for the crimes that were committed during those times.
For these reasons, the signs are not good. Those(few)Greek Cypriots who dare to advocate that an impartial account be written, are routinely vilified as traitors to Greek Cypriot Hellenism. It is a view held by the large majority of Greek Cypriots, who, truth be told, have no interest in a rapproachment with their Turkish Cypriot fellow citizens.
In his introduction Prof Holland concludes that, 'It is after all about Cyprus,regarding which nobody - Greek,Turkish,English or anybody else -can expect to be taken quite at the value they might like! But there is an endless possibility for future debate, controversy and enjoyable jousting between fellow-scholars and fellow citizens'.
Hardly! while the standard of debate amongst Greek Cypriots; let alone amongst Greek and Turkish Cypriots, begins and ends with the word Traitor. This is the background to this review.
The book it's-self is a well written straight forward account of the Greek Cypriot view of the Island's modern history,replete with all the obligatory finger pointing at all the usual villains. However you will find no mea-culpa within it's pages. I suspect it is high on the list of approved history reading for students in today's Greek Cypriot schools.

The History of Modern Cyprus
The author has been very selective in the quotations that he has used. Additionally he has not given enough emphasis or explored enough detail of the Greek Cypriots over rating of their and the islands importance and how diplomatically and politically naive they are compared to the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey.

It was a fait accompli, the Greek Cypriots the moment they took arms (EOKA and EOKA B)they were always going to lose, it was always going to be partition or reverting back to Turkey. This is what the author did not expand on in enough detail.

Although trying to be neutral there are many areas where the authors neutrality is overtaken by his patriotism which is understandable, but not for an academic. Other wise an excellent book.