A book on Greece, which blends the glorious past and the problematic present of the eastern European country, has been co-authored by an NIU professor and an NIU alumna.

Published by Oxford University Press in November, “A Profile of Modern Greece, In Search of Identity” traces the national identity of Greece through an analysis of Greek institutions, particularly politics, economy, family, religion and culture, sociology Professor Yorgos Kourvetaris said.

Kourvetaris, who has been teaching at NIU since 1969, said the book provides a concise social and political description of modern Greece which enables scholars and educated readers to further pursue their research on Greece.

He said without having realistic information about Greece, a visitor is disappointed when he arrives in Greece with the image of its glorious past.

Superpowers, as well as individuals, treat Greece in the wrong perspective, he said. Greece always has been accepted as a strategically important country but nobody cares about the feelings of that country, he said.

Co-author Betty Dobratz, who received her master’s degree from NIU in the early 1970s, said this book will help explain the problems of the present Greece, which is ruled by a socialist government.