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Cyprus: An Ancient People, a Troubled History, and One Last Chance for Peace
Lawrence Stevenson served two tours of Cyprus as a United Nations peacekeeper during the 1970s and 1980s, and saw an island at war with itself with no hope of resolution in sight. Those experiences, and Cyprus's intractable division between East and West, haunted him deep into adulthood. Now, fifty years later, he returns to the tiny island in the Eastern Mediterranean as its chances of a peaceful reunification are fast running out.
Relying on his own insights and research, as well as interviews with a diverse lot of international lawyers, UN officials, politicians, and Cypriots, Stevenson and his daughter Glynnis, a historian, reflect on how the island came to its impasse, and why the UN, the EU, the US, and the UK have failed to return it to peace.
With a fair-minded appraisal of the wrongs committed and suffered by both sides and a clear-eyed sense of diplomatic possibilities, Lawrence and Glynnis outline the only remaining option available for those who wish Cyprus reunited under one government. It is an option they passionately endorse, not only for the sake of the Cypriots, but as a rare example of peaceful co-existence in an increasingly fractured world.
Relying on his own insights and research, as well as interviews with a diverse lot of international lawyers, UN officials, politicians, and Cypriots, Stevenson and his daughter Glynnis, a historian, reflect on how the island came to its impasse, and why the UN, the EU, the US, and the UK have failed to return it to peace.
With a fair-minded appraisal of the wrongs committed and suffered by both sides and a clear-eyed sense of diplomatic possibilities, Lawrence and Glynnis outline the only remaining option available for those who wish Cyprus reunited under one government. It is an option they passionately endorse, not only for the sake of the Cypriots, but as a rare example of peaceful co-existence in an increasingly fractured world.
- GenresNonfictionPolitics
280 pages, Hardcover
Published May 16, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 30, 2025
This was a super interesting read. I have been researching the Cypriot financial crisis for work for the past two years and therefore have a solid understanding of more recent history in Cyprus but didn’t know a lot about its Cyprus before the 2010s. Because of this I was really interested to read this book and learn more about Cyprus’ history.
August 28, 2022
The falsification of Cypriot history to justify the Western intervention is preposterous. Could not believe seeing this on the shelf and reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2022
Capt. Lawrence Stevenson (RCARet.) has thought about Cyprus for fifty years off and on after being sent as a Peacekeeper twice under a United Nations Mandate. Cyprus has been a divided country for longer than it has been an independent state. Both the Northern Cypriots as well as the Southern Cypriots have continued the cycle of division and low-level violence. Lawrence and his daughter Glynnis propose interesting solutions to a divided Cyprus with considerable urgency.
June 24, 2022
Fantastic book that is very considerate of all sides of history. It is well researched and easy to read, despite being mostly about the political history of the island. Very fascinating and non biased as they look at all sides of the story for hundreds of years.
October 6, 2024
A Poorly Veiled Bias:
This book claims to be a balanced look at the Cyprus conflict, but it clearly leans towards a specific narrative. The most problematic aspect of the book is the accusation that Archbishop Makarios had genocidal intentions. While there were tensions and violence during that period, suggesting that Makarios was orchestrating a genocide seems to be an exaggeration. The authors make this claim without providing solid evidence, and it raises serious questions about their research and motives.
Additionally, the authors make light of other sensitive issues, such as stating that Palestinians should simply “accept” a solution to their displacement. These kinds of statements oversimplify complex conflicts, reducing them to mere inconveniences, and show a lack of empathy for the people involved.
Although the book contains some interesting facts, it heavily relies on biased interviews rather than well-researched academic sources. For someone who held a position of authority as a UN representative, the author’s approach to such serious topics—like genocide and international diplomacy—feels irresponsible and detached from the realities of the people affected.
In conclusion, the Stevensons fail to provide a truly neutral account of the Cyprus conflict. Instead, the book comes across as biased and lacking the careful consideration such a complex topic deserves. Cyprus’s history is not just a simple marriage gone bad that we can so easily arrange a divorce.
This attitude is what validates colonialism and fosters violence.
This book claims to be a balanced look at the Cyprus conflict, but it clearly leans towards a specific narrative. The most problematic aspect of the book is the accusation that Archbishop Makarios had genocidal intentions. While there were tensions and violence during that period, suggesting that Makarios was orchestrating a genocide seems to be an exaggeration. The authors make this claim without providing solid evidence, and it raises serious questions about their research and motives.
Additionally, the authors make light of other sensitive issues, such as stating that Palestinians should simply “accept” a solution to their displacement. These kinds of statements oversimplify complex conflicts, reducing them to mere inconveniences, and show a lack of empathy for the people involved.
Although the book contains some interesting facts, it heavily relies on biased interviews rather than well-researched academic sources. For someone who held a position of authority as a UN representative, the author’s approach to such serious topics—like genocide and international diplomacy—feels irresponsible and detached from the realities of the people affected.
In conclusion, the Stevensons fail to provide a truly neutral account of the Cyprus conflict. Instead, the book comes across as biased and lacking the careful consideration such a complex topic deserves. Cyprus’s history is not just a simple marriage gone bad that we can so easily arrange a divorce.
This attitude is what validates colonialism and fosters violence.
June 13, 2022
The book is a decent read, but the problem that I had with the book is that it is duplicative and redundantly redundant. The center of the book, over 150 pages make the same argument over and over with different data and opinions, but it still makes only that point.
After reading this book you will understand why things are the way things are (since 1974) but doesn't present any new ideas except for the ones that have been floating around for the last 50 years
After reading this book you will understand why things are the way things are (since 1974) but doesn't present any new ideas except for the ones that have been floating around for the last 50 years
May 25, 2022
A quick, concise and objective history and possible future for the island of Cyprus. I found that despite not talking about his experiences in the UN peacekeeping, they were evident in the text in terms of having a real discussion about the true challenges of the island and not blaming any particular group. I'm glad I got the opportunity to read this book and learn more.
August 28, 2023
me, a greek: are we the baddies?
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews