Venizelos: The Making of a Greek Statesman 1864-1914

Eleftherios Venizelos was a key figure in Greek politics in the first half of the 20th century, leading the country through a period of constitutional and political reform and playing a significant role in the Balkan alliance that defeated Ottoman rule in Europe.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 320 pages
\n Publication date: 25 March 2021
\n Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
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Eleftherios Venizelos, a prominent Greek statesman who played a pivotal role in the first half of the 20th century, is the subject of an insightful biography by Michael Llewellyn-Smith. The author delves into Venizelos' early years, his political apprenticeship in Crete, and his energetic involvement in the island's liberation from both Ottoman rule and the arbitrary governance of Prince George of Greece. In 1910, Venizelos was summoned to Athens by a group of officers, where he quickly emerged as a dominant figure in the Greek political landscape. He skillfully managed the political scene, reined in the military, and spearheaded a period of constitutional and political reform that brought about a glorious era for Greece. This reform culminated in a Balkan alliance that successfully waged war against Ottoman rule in Europe. By 1914, Greece had experienced significant territorial expansion and population growth, setting the stage for the challenges of European conflict. Tensions were brewing between the king and the prime minister, foreshadowing a political schism that would later unfold.

This captivating book sheds light on Venizelos' political mastery, liberalism, and nationalism, while also tracing the tragic friendship he shared with David Lloyd George. A second volume is planned to complete Venizelos' story, encompassing the Great War, the post-war peace settlement, Greece's Asia Minor disaster, and his later years of renewed prime ministerial office, political polarization, and exile in Paris.

Eleftherios Venizelos' legacy as a statesman and his contributions to the political and social landscape of Greece continue to be celebrated and studied to this day. His unwavering commitment to democracy, his vision for a unified and prosperous Europe, and his tragic friendship with Lloyd George serve as a testament to his enduring influence on history.

\n Weight: 854g\n
Dimension: 150 x 225 x 52 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781787381421\n \n