Popular Autocracy in Greece, 1936-1941 : A Political Biography of General Ioannis Metaxas

This Is The First Major Political Biography Of General Ioannis Metaxas, Who Assumed Dictatorial Power In Greece In 1936 And Oversaw The Resistance To The Italian Invasion In The Second World War. As A Political Portrait Of The Man, The Book Puts Much Emphasis On The Early Career Of Metaxas And His Journey To State Power, From 1920 To 1936. Drawing Heavily On Original Greek Sources, The Book Makes Extensive Use Of Metaxas's Diary, His Correspondence, And The Evidence Of His Close Friends And Associates. This Book Represents A New Genre Of Greek Historical Writing And Will Be Of Great Interest To All Students Of The Politics Of Modern Greece And Western Europe.--jacket. P.j. Vatikiotis. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This is not a full biography of Ioannis Metaxas, only a political biography, a political profile of the man, a prosopography. What is presented here is a political portrait drawn mainly, in not exclusively, from Greek sources. The early years of his life, background, conduct and style in entering the world of Greek politics during the decade 1910-20, and his road to power from 1920 to 1936 receive the most scrutiny and attention. There is less emphasis on his 4th August Regime, beyond its relevance for an assessment of the man and his political performance. It follows very closely, even explicitly, his Diary, his own record of his own life, his correspondence, and the written evidence--diaries, reminiscences, memoirs, memoranda--of his close associates and his critics. Metaxas was erudite, a romantic about classical Greek civilization, his social-political priorities were loyalty, duty, civic values, and the supreme virtues; he elicited fear and resentment from his critics and enemies, respect and obedience from his political allies, supporters, and collaborators. Politically, Metaxas wished to be the leader of the people: he tended to be a populist who aimed at the establishment of a popular autocracy, using the monarch as a figurehead and symbol of national unity while he wielded actual power Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of Illustrations Preface and Acknowledgements Introduction PART I Formative Years: School, Military Training, Cultural and Political Influences 1. Origins and Formative Years 2. Early Military Career 3. The 1897 Greek–Turkish Thessaly War 4. The European Experience: The Berlinkriegsakademie, 1899–1903 PART II Soldiering and Diplomacy: Rapid Professional Advancement and Growing Political Involvement, 1910–25 5. The Balkan Wars, 1912–13 6. The Great War, 1914–18 7. Exile and Return, 1917–20 8. Entry into Politics and Second Exile, 1920–24 9. The National All-Party (Ekoumeniki) Government PART III Prelude to Power: The Momentum of Leadership 10. Greece in the 1930s 11. Political Party Leader, Prominent Member of Parliament, and Rivalry with Venizelos 12. Metaxas becomes Prime Minister 13. On the Eve of War PART IV Radical Reformer and Wartime Leader, Architect of Military Victory 14. The Nature of the 4th August Regime 15. How Others Saw Metaxas and His Regime 16. Assessments and Conclusion Index

this Is A Political Biography Of General Ioannis Metaxas, Who Assumed Dictatorial Power In Greece In 1936 And Oversaw The Resistance To The Italian Invasion In World War Ii. It Puts Emphasis On The Early Career Of Metaxas And His Journey To State Power From 1920 To 1936. Drawing Heavily On Original Greek Sources, The Book Makes Extensive Use Of Metaxas' Diary, His Correspondence, And The Evidence Of Close Friends And Associates.

booknews

a Political Biography Of A General Who Assumed Dictatorial Power In Greece In 1936 And Oversaw Resistance To The Italian Invasion Of Wwii. Emphasis Is On His Early Career And His Journey To State Power From 1920 To 1936. Includes B&w Photos. Paper Edition (unseen), $25.00. Distributed By Isbs. Annotation C. By Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

This is not intended to be a full biography of Ioannis Metaxas, only a political biography, in fact, a political profile of the man, a prosopography.