That Greece Might Still Be Free

That Greece Might Still Be Free chronicles the Philhellenic movement of the 1820s, when thousands of European and American volunteers traveled to fight in the Greek War of Independence. The book examines the diverse motivations and backgrounds of these foreign fighters who joined the Greek cause against Ottoman rule. St Clair draws on extensive primary sources to document the reality of the Philhellenes' experiences, from their initial idealistic visions through their encounters with the harsh conditions and complex politics on the ground. The narrative follows key figures and events while maintaining a broad view of the international phenomenon. The work reconstructs the networks and organizations that supported and funded the volunteers, including prominent cultural figures, politicians, and activists across Europe and America. St Clair traces how news and propaganda about the Greek cause spread through society and motivated people to action. The book presents a critical examination of how romantic ideals collide with historical realities, raising questions about intervention, nationalism, and the gap between imagination and truth in political movements. These themes remain relevant to modern discussions of foreign fighters and international aid.

Readers value this book as a detailed examination of European volunteers who fought in the Greek War of Independence, highlighting the gap between romantic idealism and harsh reality. Many note it provides a clear-eyed view of the philhellenic movement without glorifying or condemning participants. Readers appreciate: - Thorough research and primary sources - Balance between military history and cultural context - Engaging narrative style despite academic subject matter - Focus on individual stories and experiences Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing in some sections - Assumes prior knowledge of Greek history - Limited coverage of Greek perspective Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (87 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (15 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Deflates the romantic myths while maintaining sympathy for idealistic volunteers" - Goodreads review "Important corrective to heroic narratives of philhellenism" - Amazon review "Could have included more Greek sources" - Goodreads critique

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🔹 The book's title comes from Lord Byron's poem "Don Juan," reflecting Byron's deep involvement in the Greek independence movement that the book chronicles 🔹 Author William St Clair discovered previously unknown documents about the Greek War of Independence in the Austrian State Archives, which helped him reveal the less romantic reality behind the Philhellenic movement 🔹 The work details how many European volunteers who went to fight for Greek independence were former Napoleonic soldiers seeking adventure after being left unemployed by the end of the Napoleonic Wars 🔹 Published in 1972, the book was one of the first major works to critically examine the darker aspects of the Philhellenic movement, including the volunteers' frequent disillusionment and the financial scandals surrounding the Greek loans 🔹 The book documents how the Greek cause attracted support from an extraordinary range of prominent figures, from the American politician Edward Everett to the French artist Eugène Delacroix, whose famous painting "Greece on the Ruins of Missolonghi" was inspired by these events