Dandelions and Honey: Travel Memoir of a Forsaken Island Adventure - Perfect for Book Clubs & Armchair Travelers

This book is a wonderful blend of anecdotes of the author's grandmother (and childhood in Crete) and Greek mythology/history/culture. Its launch point is a trip the two take to her homeland from America. Also engaging is the portrayal of Cretan life, with its powerful sense of identity and fierce independence. The story of the people being held "hostage" after the wedding was hilarious (though not for them at the time). What also comes through is the author's affection for his grandmother; she's portrayed as larger than life, blemishes and all. Whether or not you're Greek or of Greek descent, it's a wonderful read and has none of the degeneracy and cynicism found in current memoirs by the rich, famous, and dysfunctional.