The PAA Cretan Reading List
To inspire and engage members of the Pancretan Association of America (PAA), this reading list explores the rich Cretan literature, traditions, and powerful World War II history. Discover the courage, sacrifice, and leventia of the Cretan people, and connect with stories written by PAA members and friends.
St. Nicholas National Shrine at the World Trade Center, The Iconographic Program
Author: His Grace Bishop Joachim of Amissos (Dr. John A. Cotsonis)
Description: This masterwork details the sacred art of a vital Greek-American national landmark. The iconographic program is deeply rooted in traditional Byzantine and Athonite styles, which historically share major stylistic lineages with the famous post-Byzantine Cretan School of Iconography—the very movement that shaped master artists like El Greco.
Christian Monuments of Crete
Authors: Michalis G. Andrianakis and Kostas D. Giapitsoglou
This comprehensive guide explores the rich religious heritage of Crete, detailing the history, architecture, and enduring spiritual legacy of the island's ancient Christian monuments.
Hope is My Anchor
Author: Anna Broome
Description: A poignant contemporary story focused on resilience, faith, and overcoming hardship—virtues familiar to any Cretan family.
Island of Ghosts and Dreams
Author: Christopher Cosmos
Description: Set against the dramatic backdrop of Chania in 1941, this captivating historical epic sweeps readers into the tumult of the Battle of Crete, tracking a narrative intertwined with the island’s enduring legacy and fierce love of freedom.
Sky Cloud City
Author:
Maria Kamoulakou-Marangoudakis
A fun adventure inspired by Greek mythology and the ancient Greek play "The Birds" by Aristophanes (The Adventures of Hope & Trusty).
Greek Roots, American Dreams
Author: Angela Novotny Katzakis
Description: A beautiful exploration of the Greek-American diaspora experience, documenting the cross-generational journey of carrying ancestral traditions forward while building a life in America.
Zorba the Greek
Author: Nikos Kazantzakis
Description: Set in Crete, it explores the untamed Cretan spirit, philosophy, and a raw, unbridled passion for life through one of fiction's most unforgettable characters.
Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/02rhnggW
The Palaces of Knossos
Author: Nikos Kazantzakis
Description: Kazantzakis brings ancient Minoan Crete to life in this historical adventure. By weaving mythology, archeology, and heritage together, he creates a captivating narrative that is perfect for readers of all generations.
Time Pencils
Author: Lola Katherine Giusti
Description: A moving historical novel inspired by true family stories from the village of Thrapsano Pediados during WWII. It vividly portrays the local courage, resilience, and daring sabotage operations carried out against occupying forces.
An Aegean Odyssey
Author: Kathryn Gauci
Description: An evocative, beautifully researched historical drama that transports readers to the Aegean, capturing the harsh realities of wartime Greece and the unwavering resilience of its people.
The Cretan Runner
Author: George Psychoundakis
Description: A legendary, first-hand account of the Cretan Resistance during World War II. Written by a humble Cretan shepherd who became a wartime runner for the SOE, this diary is a vital piece of modern Cretan history that captures the true soul and leventia (dignity and honor) of the island's defenders.
All You Can Greek: Food, Life, Travel
Author: Eleni Saltas
Description: Take a culinary journey through Greece with Eleni Saltas, a blogger with a flair for Greek food, life and travel. Eleni knows the power of oregano, olive oil, history, and friendship.Eleni blends true life tales and Greek spirit with the flavors of Greece so that you, too, will feel what it means to live and love like a Greek.
The Voice of the People: Mantinades of Crete
Author: Professor Stylianos V. Spyridakis
Description: Mantinades (fifteen-syllable rhyming couplets) capture the Cretan spirit—leventia, philotimo, deep love, intense grief, and sharp wit. Professor Spyridakis expertly curates these verses, giving diaspora members a direct window into how their ancestors processed life, love, and hardship.
Apollo Finds His Courage
Author: Chris Tzortzis
Description: Written by our very own PAA District 5 Governor, this heartwarming children's book tells a wonderful story of bravery and unlikely friendships. It is the perfect choice for reading aloud to the next generation of young Cretans to pass down the virtue of courage!
Climbing the Peaks of the World: A Journey of Adventure, Perspective and Purpose
Greek Version: ΣΚΑΡΦΑΛΩΝΟΝΤΑΣ ΣΤΙΣ ΚΟΡΥΦΕΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΟΣΜΟΥ
Author: Emmanuel Velivasakis
Description: Written by our past PAA National President, this inspirational memoir reflects on a lifetime of ambition, global engineering triumphs, and a steadfast dedication to preserving Cretan heritage in the US.
Are you an author or know of a book to add to our list? Please email telefter@pancretan.org