Athens: A New Guide Book

An amazing piece of research, well presented and documented in nine excellent chapters and an enormous bibliography. Entertainingly written and easy to read.

However, the tenth chapter, mostly the author's private observation of what has happened to tourism in Greece in recent times and speculating on the future is disappointing and in many cases just plain wrong. He paints a bleak picture. Having lived in Greece and having been a regular traveller to Greece for forty years I reject his exaggerated claims about the degradation of culture and services and decline of hospitality and friendliness. He also makes silly statements like, "And a glass of sweet water, formerly available from every tap, is a thing of the past", amongst other similarly inaccurate comments on aspects of modern Greek life throughout this last chapter.