Crete (Directions)

"His keen understanding of history and legend...illuminates his visits." Publishers Weekly "A vivid picture of the island." Associated Press "It is hard to think of anywhere on earth where so many firsts and mosts are crammed into a space so small " Barry Unsworth writes of the isle of Crete. Birthplace of the Greek god Zeus the Greek alphabet and the first Greek laws as well as the home of 15 mountain ranges and the longest gorge in Europe this land is indisputably unique. And since ancient times its inhabitants have maintained an astonishing tenacity and sense of national identity even as they suffered conquest and occupation by Romans Byzantines Arabs Venetians Ottoman Turks and Germans. Throughout this evocative book now in trade paper Unsworth describes the incredible physical and cultural proportions of the islandin history myth and reality. Moving and artful Crete gives readers a comprehensive picture and rich understanding of this complexand indeed almost magicalworld of Mediterranean wonders. With the same keen eye and clear eloquent prose that distinguishes his acclaimed historical novels Barry Unsworth delivers his readers a two-fold travelers reward at once a wonderfully detailed panorama of Cretes many layers of history and an evocative portrait of an island almost literally larger than life.