The Full Catastrophe (34 page)

F
or all the considerable problems and gloomy subjects addressed in this book, I hope that my fondness for Greece and many of its people still comes across. I am grateful for the opportunity I’ve had in recent years to visit the country often and get to know it better. My family and I were treated with generous hospitality during our travels in Greece, and now that we’ve been away for several months, we miss it. Greece, of course, is a beautiful place, and if you haven’t been there, you should visit. If you, like me, one day find yourself standing among the spring flowers on a rocky hill overlooking the ruins of the sanctuary of Hera on the Corinthian Gulf, and observe the brilliant light and puffs of mist drifting over the azure water, you too might feel like you’re dreaming.

This book wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for a few people in particular. One of them is Joshua Yaffa, a great journalist and still better friend. During a bout of professional anguish a few years ago, I sought his career advice, as I often do. “Why don’t you write a book?” he suggested, and then put me in touch with people who
could help make a book happen. For his advice and help on this occasion and many others, I am grateful.

Much of the research for this book was connected to stories I reported for the
Wall Street Journal.
For the chance to write for the
Journal
from Greece, and for much else, I’m grateful to Matthew Karnitschnig. I’ve benefited a lot from his thoughtful editing and guidance in recent years, and he also kindly dedicated time to look at parts of the book manuscript. From Brooklyn to Berlin, he and his wife, Katharina, have been great friends to us.

David Patterson, my agent, has been a terrific advocate, and has provided smart counsel throughout this process. I’m thankful to him for his conscientiousness and for believing in this project from the start.

Many Greek journalists generously offered their advice and help. I am indebted in particular to Dimitris Psarras, Tasos Telloglou, Marianna Kakaounaki, and Nikolas Leontopoulos. Anastasia Moumtzaki also helped with some challenging reporting, and was patient with my frayed nerves when things didn’t work out as we would have liked. I also owe thanks to documentary filmmaker Konstantinos Georgousis for sharing with me his incisive observations on Greek fascists and a number of other issues. In Thessaloniki, Antonis Kamaras was a source of numerous great conversations about Greek history and politics.

A few Greek public prosecutors, who wished not to be named in this book, graciously took time to talk to me about some important, ongoing cases. They are engaged in a difficult fight to bring more accountability and justice to Greece. For their efforts, they deserve the gratitude of the Greek people. After meeting with some of the prosecutors undertaking crucial investigations, I was convinced that Greece’s best hope rests with an underutilized resource: its women.

During the course of my research, I benefited greatly from excellent work done by scholars and historians of modern Greece.
Susanne-Sophia Spiliotis and Devin Naar kindly offered their personal help. In addition, I’ve learned a great deal from the works of Mark Mazower, Hagen Fleischer, John Louis Hondros, Richard Clogg, William St Clair, Michael Herzfeld, and Heinz A. Richter.

I’m grateful to the dedicated people at Crown Publishers who worked on this book. In particular, Jenna Ciongoli, Meagan Stacey, Emma Berry, and Mark Birkey played crucial roles.

My extended family in Greece provided good company and logistical support, and stuffed us with delicious food on many occasions. My parents and brother, as always, provided steadfast support and encouragement. I thank my parents in particular for teaching me about Greece while I was growing up, and for forcing me to go to Greek school despite my spirited childhood protestations. Most of all, I am indebted to them for their courage and determination, which have served them well in the New World.

My deepest gratitude is to my wife, Katrin, who came along for the ride, and whose strength and love have sustained me through this endeavor and many others.
Efharisto, agapi mou.

Lastly, I thank my wonderful sons, Elias Harry, who was born right around the time I learned I’d be getting a chance to write this book, and Alexander Loukas, who arrived just as I completed it. A more joyful distraction from my work, I could not imagine.

January 2015, Berlin