The land of gods and goddesses, myth and history, the cradle of western civilization, the birthplace of drama and democracy — no country resonates with history like Greece. This book plumbs that rich past and the equally rich present in a dazzling literary journey for travelers and armchair travelers alike. These true tales cover everything from cuisine ("God as Patissier") to culture ("Sappho's Island") and show the breadth of experience of a place, from the rogue, off-the-track traveler's take to the first-class passenger's impressions. Contributors include Paul Theroux, Patricia Storace, Henry Miller, Lawrence Durrell, Caroline Alexander, Emily Hiestand, Donald W. George, and Robert D. Kaplan. Illustrations and maps are included.