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A History of Crete
Known by the Greeks as ‘Megalónisos,’ or the ‘Great Island,’ the island of Crete has a long and varied history. Steeped in historical and cultural heritage, Crete is the most visited of the Greek islands. It has also been of paramount strategic importance for thousands of years, thanks to its location close to the junction of three continents and at the heart of the eastern Mediterranean Sea. For much of its long history, the island has been ruled by foreign invaders. Under the rule of the Mycenaeans, Dorians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Venetians, Ottoman Turks and, briefly, the Third Reich, Cretans, who are fierce lovers of freedom, have adapted to living with their conquerors and to the influence of foreign rule on their culture. In a dazzling contrast to these three thousand years of domination, we see two periods of the island’s independence: the vibrant apogee of the Minoan civilization and the brief period of autonomy before union with Greece at the beginning of the twentieth century.
To guide us through this spectacular history, Chris Moorey, who has lived in Crete for over twenty years, provides an engaging and lively account of the island spanning from the Stone Age to the present day. A History of Crete steps in to fill a gap in scholarship on this fascinating island, providing the first complete history of Crete to be published for over twenty years, and the first ever that is written with a wide readership in mind.
To guide us through this spectacular history, Chris Moorey, who has lived in Crete for over twenty years, provides an engaging and lively account of the island spanning from the Stone Age to the present day. A History of Crete steps in to fill a gap in scholarship on this fascinating island, providing the first complete history of Crete to be published for over twenty years, and the first ever that is written with a wide readership in mind.
- GenresHistoryNonfictionGreece
357 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 19, 2021
Review of: A History of Crete, by Chris Moorey
by Stan Prager (5-19-21)
Myth has it that before he became king of Athens, Theseus went to Crete and slew the Minotaur, a creature half-man and half-bull that roamed the labyrinth in Knossos. According to Homer’s Iliad, Idomeneus, King of Crete, was one of the top-ranked generals of the Greek alliance in the Trojan War. But long before the legends and the literature, Crete hosted Europe’s most advanced early Bronze Age civilization—dubbed the Minoan—which was then overrun and absorbed by the Mycenean Greeks that are later said to have made war at Troy. Minoan Civilization flourished circa 3000 BCE-1450 BCE, when the Myceneans moved in. What remains of the Minoans are magnificent ruins of palace complexes, brilliantly rendered frescoes depicting dolphins, bull-leaping lads, and bare-breasted maidens, and a still yet undeciphered script known as Linear A. The deepest roots of Western Civilization run to the ancient Hellenes, so much so that some historians proclaim the Greeks the grandfathers of the modern West. If that is true, then the Minoans of Crete were the grandfathers of the Greeks.
Unfortunately, if you want to learn more about the Minoans, do not turn to A History of Crete, by former educator Chris Moorey, an ambitious if too often dull work that affords this landmark civilization a mere 22 pages. Of course, the author has every right to emphasize what he deems most relevant, but the reader also has a right to feel misled—especially as the jacket cover sports a bull-leaping scene from a Minoan fresco! And it isn’t only the Minoans that are bypassed; Moorey’s treatment of Crete’s glorious ancient past is at best superficial. After a promising start that touches on recent discoveries of Paleolithic hand-axes, he fast-forwards at a dizzying rate: Minoan Civilization ends on page 39; more than a thousand years of Greek dominance concludes on page 66, and Roman rule is over by page 84. Thus begins the long saga of Crete as a relative backwater, under the sway of distant colonial masters.
I am not certain what the author’s strategy was, but it appears that his goal was to divide Crete’s long history into equal segments, an awkward tactic akin to a biographer of Lincoln lending equal time to his rail-splitting and his presidency. At any rate, much of the story is simply not all that interesting the way Moorey tells it. In fact, too much of it reads like an expanded Wikipedia entry, while sub-headings too frequently serve as unwelcome interrupts to a narrative that generally tends to be stilted and colorless. The result is a chronological report of facts about people and events, conspicuously absent the analysis and interpretation critical to a historical treatment. Moreover, the author’s voice lacks enthusiasm and remains maddeningly neutral, whether the topic is tax collection or captive rebels impaled on hooks. As the chronicle plods across the many centuries, there is also a lack of connective tissue, so the reader never really gets a sense of what distinguishes the people of Crete from people anywhere else. What are their salient characteristics? What is the cultural glue that bonds them together? We never really find out.
To be fair, there is a lot of information here. And Moorey is not a bad writer, just an uninspired one. Could this be because the book is directed at a scholarly rather than a popular audience, and academic writing by its nature can often be stultifying? That’s one possibility. But is it even a scholarly work? The endnotes are slim, and few point to primary sources.
A History of Crete is a broad survey that may serve as a useful reference for those seeking a concise study of the island’s past, but it seems like an opportunity missed. In the final paragraph, the author concludes: “In spite of all difficulties, it is likely the spirt of Crete will survive.” What is this spirit of Crete he speaks of? Whatever it may be, the reader must look elsewhere to find out.
Latest Review & Podcast .... Review of: A History of Crete, by Chris Moorey https://regarp.com/2021/05/19/review-...
PODCAST: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-y6gk7-1...
by Stan Prager (5-19-21)
Myth has it that before he became king of Athens, Theseus went to Crete and slew the Minotaur, a creature half-man and half-bull that roamed the labyrinth in Knossos. According to Homer’s Iliad, Idomeneus, King of Crete, was one of the top-ranked generals of the Greek alliance in the Trojan War. But long before the legends and the literature, Crete hosted Europe’s most advanced early Bronze Age civilization—dubbed the Minoan—which was then overrun and absorbed by the Mycenean Greeks that are later said to have made war at Troy. Minoan Civilization flourished circa 3000 BCE-1450 BCE, when the Myceneans moved in. What remains of the Minoans are magnificent ruins of palace complexes, brilliantly rendered frescoes depicting dolphins, bull-leaping lads, and bare-breasted maidens, and a still yet undeciphered script known as Linear A. The deepest roots of Western Civilization run to the ancient Hellenes, so much so that some historians proclaim the Greeks the grandfathers of the modern West. If that is true, then the Minoans of Crete were the grandfathers of the Greeks.
Unfortunately, if you want to learn more about the Minoans, do not turn to A History of Crete, by former educator Chris Moorey, an ambitious if too often dull work that affords this landmark civilization a mere 22 pages. Of course, the author has every right to emphasize what he deems most relevant, but the reader also has a right to feel misled—especially as the jacket cover sports a bull-leaping scene from a Minoan fresco! And it isn’t only the Minoans that are bypassed; Moorey’s treatment of Crete’s glorious ancient past is at best superficial. After a promising start that touches on recent discoveries of Paleolithic hand-axes, he fast-forwards at a dizzying rate: Minoan Civilization ends on page 39; more than a thousand years of Greek dominance concludes on page 66, and Roman rule is over by page 84. Thus begins the long saga of Crete as a relative backwater, under the sway of distant colonial masters.
I am not certain what the author’s strategy was, but it appears that his goal was to divide Crete’s long history into equal segments, an awkward tactic akin to a biographer of Lincoln lending equal time to his rail-splitting and his presidency. At any rate, much of the story is simply not all that interesting the way Moorey tells it. In fact, too much of it reads like an expanded Wikipedia entry, while sub-headings too frequently serve as unwelcome interrupts to a narrative that generally tends to be stilted and colorless. The result is a chronological report of facts about people and events, conspicuously absent the analysis and interpretation critical to a historical treatment. Moreover, the author’s voice lacks enthusiasm and remains maddeningly neutral, whether the topic is tax collection or captive rebels impaled on hooks. As the chronicle plods across the many centuries, there is also a lack of connective tissue, so the reader never really gets a sense of what distinguishes the people of Crete from people anywhere else. What are their salient characteristics? What is the cultural glue that bonds them together? We never really find out.
To be fair, there is a lot of information here. And Moorey is not a bad writer, just an uninspired one. Could this be because the book is directed at a scholarly rather than a popular audience, and academic writing by its nature can often be stultifying? That’s one possibility. But is it even a scholarly work? The endnotes are slim, and few point to primary sources.
A History of Crete is a broad survey that may serve as a useful reference for those seeking a concise study of the island’s past, but it seems like an opportunity missed. In the final paragraph, the author concludes: “In spite of all difficulties, it is likely the spirt of Crete will survive.” What is this spirit of Crete he speaks of? Whatever it may be, the reader must look elsewhere to find out.
Latest Review & Podcast .... Review of: A History of Crete, by Chris Moorey https://regarp.com/2021/05/19/review-...
PODCAST: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-y6gk7-1...
March 12, 2024
I bought this book from a London bookstore. I was excited when I saw the book because I wanted to learn about Crete. Had I flipped through the pages more, I world not have bought the book.
I stopped reading at page 71. The reason was due to the jarring pattern of the author inserting quotes liberally throughout the pages that I had read. This ‘zig-zag’ style of writing broke up the narrative for me. It would have been great if the author ‘translated’ what was from the quote so that the style of the writing would continue to flow.
This was a disappointing read. I do not recommend the book.
I stopped reading at page 71. The reason was due to the jarring pattern of the author inserting quotes liberally throughout the pages that I had read. This ‘zig-zag’ style of writing broke up the narrative for me. It would have been great if the author ‘translated’ what was from the quote so that the style of the writing would continue to flow.
This was a disappointing read. I do not recommend the book.
August 15, 2022
A fun primer to read on the way to Crete to see where my family is from. I found the discussion on life on the island going back as far as 170,000 years ago fascinating. I loved the section on Minoan culture and the ottoman occupation.
November 18, 2023
4.5*
A full History of Crete has been sorely missing and overall, Chris Moorey has delivered a great book. This book covers the island's history, culture and politics from prehistory to today (approx. 2018).
Some chapters focus more heavily on topics like administration and art as, unfortunately, large parts of Crete's history remain uncovered (and may stay so due to lack of written records).
I found the last two chapters a bit lackluster compared to the rest: the civil war chapter was very short, partly because, per the author, it didn't play as large of a role on Crete as it did on the mainland. I do wonder if it wasn't kept short also because it remains such a touchy topic.
The modern chapter tried to fit in a lot and to me, sections like the junta and the recent economic crisis could have done with a bit more space. Their accounts felt too positive, if I'm honest (having lived through the economic crisis myself).
The author has a close connection with the Orthodox religion (not a criticism, btw) and this is obvious in how accounts of good acts by priests feel more warmly described than others.
Aside from my issues with the last two chapters, I have one more major criticism regarding the Knossos section, which is that too much attention goes to Arthur Evans without a single mention of Minos Kalokairinos. From what I have read, he was a Cretan archeologist and the first person to start excavations on the Knossos site. His work inspired Evans and other big names like Schlieman. It's time he gets more recognition.
A full History of Crete has been sorely missing and overall, Chris Moorey has delivered a great book. This book covers the island's history, culture and politics from prehistory to today (approx. 2018).
Some chapters focus more heavily on topics like administration and art as, unfortunately, large parts of Crete's history remain uncovered (and may stay so due to lack of written records).
I found the last two chapters a bit lackluster compared to the rest: the civil war chapter was very short, partly because, per the author, it didn't play as large of a role on Crete as it did on the mainland. I do wonder if it wasn't kept short also because it remains such a touchy topic.
The modern chapter tried to fit in a lot and to me, sections like the junta and the recent economic crisis could have done with a bit more space. Their accounts felt too positive, if I'm honest (having lived through the economic crisis myself).
The author has a close connection with the Orthodox religion (not a criticism, btw) and this is obvious in how accounts of good acts by priests feel more warmly described than others.
Aside from my issues with the last two chapters, I have one more major criticism regarding the Knossos section, which is that too much attention goes to Arthur Evans without a single mention of Minos Kalokairinos. From what I have read, he was a Cretan archeologist and the first person to start excavations on the Knossos site. His work inspired Evans and other big names like Schlieman. It's time he gets more recognition.
March 24, 2023
An enthralling if detailed survey of an island that always captures my imagination, particularly its unique position in the Eastern Mediterranean & the azure blue seas of the Aegean. I was very interested in discovering Crete's complex history of 'imperial' conquest & brave resistance by the locals whose origins are disputed...though we all know about the Minoans, don't we?
With my interest in Venetian history & the struggles of the British & Anzacs in 1941 when Nazi Germany was the invading power, I was fascinated to learn more about the island's checkered history, much of it lost to time & the elements. But what remains is worth investigating, if only to come to terms with the riches of archaeological evidence & a vivid imagination...
With my interest in Venetian history & the struggles of the British & Anzacs in 1941 when Nazi Germany was the invading power, I was fascinated to learn more about the island's checkered history, much of it lost to time & the elements. But what remains is worth investigating, if only to come to terms with the riches of archaeological evidence & a vivid imagination...
July 12, 2024
I read this book ahead of a trip to Crete. I now have a far better understanding of the contours of the island's history and the ingredients that make up the character of the people. I'm very much looking forward to my time in Chania and Iraklion--though now I wish I had more time to see some more!
As in all general histories of a place from earliest recorded history to the present, there is much that cannot be discussed or only in passing. Author does a good job of leaving breadcrumbs and hints for further exploration, reading, listening, etc.
As in all general histories of a place from earliest recorded history to the present, there is much that cannot be discussed or only in passing. Author does a good job of leaving breadcrumbs and hints for further exploration, reading, listening, etc.
August 22, 2021
It's a well-written book to understand the historical background of the island. I read it during my summer holidays and it made me convinced to read more about the island and also the culture. I recommend it.
June 14, 2022
Loved the book! Of course, it can't replace a full historic study on Crete but it gave the perfect insight into all the history from before the bronze age to today.
I wish there were more books like this one!
I wish there were more books like this one!
February 2, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! I must admit to being biased towards all things Cretan, but I found it full of interesting and intriguing facts. Chris Moorey tells the history like the fascinating story it is, his writing clearly driven by his own passion for the island.
May 11, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It is an easy to read history book. Though, because I only read it because I wanted to learn more of the town Kydonia, I am quite disappointed to read that it ended with the start of the Venetian rule.
December 7, 2023
My visit to Crete meant so much more because I had read this. The author gives not only a comprehensive view of Minoan history, but also many of the details that make history come alive, such as the fact that 3,000 year old Minoan pottery has been found in Spain and the Indus Valley.
February 15, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It was very easy to work through, the chapters were organized into great little sections about the different aspects of each time period. There’s some humor snuck in there that I enjoyed, and overall it was very informative and well-written.
September 16, 2020
A great non-academic book on the history that is Crete from before Christ to Present day
August 10, 2022
It's a broad introduction of the history of Crete, but it doesn't really delve into any matter. A great book if you want a general idea about what went on during the centuries in the island
March 9, 2025
Stopped at page 112 bc I only really care about ancient history
March 27, 2025
A concise history of Crete.
December 10, 2019
Good for those interested in a high level look at the entire history of Crete. For those looking for details on ancient Crete, look elsewhere, as this is informative but brief.
A minor quibble on accuracy was the author attributes the dialogue 'Minos' to Plato where from what I've read elsewhere, most attribute it to another author.
A minor quibble on accuracy was the author attributes the dialogue 'Minos' to Plato where from what I've read elsewhere, most attribute it to another author.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews