Adoption, Memory, and Cold War Greece: Kid pro quo?

This book explores the postwar adoption networks that placed over 3,000 Greek children in the United States, accelerated by the Greek Civil War and the global Cold War. It sheds light on the procedures, transactions, and transgressions of these adoptions, providing a previously untold story.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 350 pages
Publication date: 12 July 2021
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

This captivating book delves into a profound exploration of the intricate postwar adoption networks that facilitated the placement of over 3,000 Greek children in the United States. Fueled by the aftermath of the Greek Civil War and the global context of the Cold War, this movement witnessed a remarkable surge in international adoptions. Remarkably, Greek-to-American adoptions served as the pioneering blueprint for large-scale international adoptions, predating the more commonly associated mass phenomenon of Asian children. The untold story of these Greek postwar and Cold War adoptions, characterized by a range of procedures from legal to highly irregular, has remained largely unheard until now. In her meticulous research, Gonda Van Steen has painstakingly filled a decades-long gap in our understanding, offering invaluable insights to the hundreds of adoptees and their descendants who continue to be impacted by these adoptions today. Through a combination of empathy and persistence, Van Steen has unraveled the complexities of these adoptions, shedding light on the motivations, circumstances, and enduring legacies they have left behind. This book is a vital contribution to the field of adoption studies, providing a comprehensive and nuanced account of a significant chapter in global history.

Weight: 486g
Dimension: 152 x 227 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472038817