The co-op bookstore for avid readers
Book Cover for: The Ionian Islands: Corfu, Cephalonia, Ithaka and Beyond, John Freely

The Ionian Islands: Corfu, Cephalonia, Ithaka and Beyond

John Freely

Rising from the waters between Greece and Italy, the Ionians - peaks of an underwater mountain range - are some of the most culturally, historically and mythologically rich in all Greece. Consisting of Corfu, Paxos, Ithaka, Lefkas, Cephalonia, Zakynthos and Kythera, they have been variously invaded and occupied by the Goths, Arabs, Normans, Venetians, British, Germans and most recently by tourism, yet they have always absorbed and assimilated other cultures whilst still retaining their unique character and identity.The Ionians have been made famous in literature from Homer and Aeschylus to Gerald Durrell and Louis de Bernieres and numerous myths are associated with them: Corfu is linked to the voyage of Jason's Argonauts, Aphrodite was born on Kythera, Paxos and Corfu were once joined until Poseidon threw his trident and separated them and Odysseus' home was on Ithaka. John Freely, who has visited and travelled throughout the islands over the course of 40 years, here illuminates the history, culture and present day of all seven islands, providing the most readable and comprehensive guide to the magnificent Ionians.

Book Details

  • Publisher: I. B. Tauris & Company
  • Publish Date: May 1st, 2008
  • Pages: 256
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 7.73in - 5.17in - 0.78in - 0.61lb
  • EAN: 9781845116965
  • Categories: Europe - Greece

About the Author

Freely, John: -

John Freely (1926-2017) was born in New York in 1926 and joined the US Navy at the age of 17, serving during the last two years of World War II. He achieved a PhD in physics from New York University and did postdoctoral studies in the history of science at Oxford. He was Professor of Physics at Bosphorus University in Istanbul, where he taught physics and the history of science for more than fifty years. He also taught in New York, Boston, London and Athens.

Freely wrote more than 40 books, including works in the history of science and travel. His books include Storm on Horseback, The Cyclades, The Ionian Islands (all I.B.Tauris), Crete and the bestselling Strolling Through Istanbul (both Tauris Parke).

Praise for this book

"A charming and informative companion for anyone exploring these enchanting islands." --Andrew Steed, Stanfords Maps and Travel Books