ITHAKA ON THE HORIZON: A Greek-American Journey

Dear Reader,

Almost six years ago I decided to create a blog and write about things Greek. When you reach a certain advanced age you feel the need to talk about the things you are passionate about. That's when the words began pouring out. The beauty of the written word is that those who go on to read what you write probably find a nugget or two that they appreciate and thus continue on, maybe they even come back. When a writer and reader make that connection, it is indeed a special relationship because each answers a need in the other.  The writer wants to be heard and the reader wants to listen, perhaps to learn or even understand what is being said. Blogging allows the writer to have a dialogue on occasion with the reader in a unique give and take that I have always found to be  a learning experience. 

Six hundred posts later I began thinking that somewhere in this pile of words is a book. I began sifting through all the things I've written to put together a quilt of those stories that I love best. It has been an arduous and drawn out process. MGO has suffered as a result, but the neglect was always intended to be temporary.  

I decided to name the book "Ithaka on the Horizon: A Greek-American Journey" because it is a very much a journey. It is about the Greek immigrant experience as seen through one man's voyage through life. Coming to and then growing up in America while negotiating two competing cultures. one Greek and the other American.  Then eventually returning to a forgotten and  altered homeland in search of identity and discovery of a true self by reliving the past in order to explain the present. It is a story of the struggles of successive generations in the wake of the tumultuous events of the last one hundred years of Greek history. Each passing on its legacy to the next.

This saga is, above all, about family and in its vivid depictions of family life I believe it will offer the reader a glimpse into their own  experiences that will ring true, bringing both laughter and tears. 

The book will be available exclusively on Amazon.Com in May, 2013 and will be offered in both a printed and Kindle ebook version. 

Best wishes to you all, 

                                   

                           Stavro Nashi

ταξίδι στην Ιθάκη

Comments

[Chris Georgallis]

Dear Stavro, MGO has given me countless hours of fascnaing articles. Your stories and posts have been inspirational and moving,so so many times!Thank you for your labour of love.I believe you have put together a real treasure trove of Greek culture from the perspective of a true son of Greece.I wish we had more men like you in our communities who could share their wisdom and insights to us the younger generation. Thank you for inspiring me to be a better man,beter husband and father & encouraging and educating me in my culture and helping me navigate my own journey as a son of the diaspora. I will certainly read your book and i await it with anticipation. Love and regards from SA. Chris xxx

[Stavros]

Chris,

Na se kala. The wisdom is not my own, it is the wisdom of our faith and culture and it is available to us all by simply making the effort to listen to our ancestors through their writings. Should we do so we might find some of the difficult answers we seek.

I am truly humbled by your words. May God always hold you and your family in the palm of His hand.

[Dimitri]

Thanks Stavros, I will buy the kindle version when it comes out.

[petroskar]

stavro you are the best.i am waiting me megali agonia na to diavaso, and also to pass it on to my two adult daughters and grandchildren.your writings have made me laugh
and cry many times.
me agapi,
petros

[Stavros]

Na se kala Petro. I hope I won't let you down.

[Sefi]

Dear Stavros,

Congratulations! I'm sure this will valued by many. I will definitely get a printed copy and share it with my dad.

Take care,

Joseph

[Stavros]

It's being edited as we speak. I'm shooting to have it out after Easter/Passover.

Thank you.

[Sefi]

It is a rare thing to meet someone as pleasant and kind as you are Staveos. You have built a community of followers here and I am happy to be one of them. Waiting to get one of the first copies soon.

Regards

[Stavros]

I have my bad days just like everybody else :)

[petroskar]

i second what sefi posted above.
petros

[Eric]

Hello Stavos,
I just discovered your website as a result of my research into the Ludlow Massacre, and the life of Louis Tikas. I am glad that you wrote about him, and I am very happy to read your perspective as I am not of Greek descent and have had little to no exposure to your Culture.

It is a snowy, cold day here in Colorado, and I am headed south from Denver, and plan to stop in Trinidad to find the grave of Louis Tikas, and pay my respects to this great man.

I look forward to spending more time on your blog, and reading your book to gain more insight and appreciation for your experience, and that of Greek Immigrants.

All the best,

Eric
Parker, Colorado

[Stavros]

Hi Eric,

Welcome to MGO. Glad you like the post about Tikas. More here:

http://www.roadtoemmaus.net/back_issue_articles/RTE_46/LOUIS_TIKAS_1914_PASSION-BEARER.pdf

http://www.roadtoemmaus.net/back_issue_articles/RTE_46/REMEMBERING_TIKAS.pdf

Sorry to hear about the snow. The last remanants melted two weeks ago here in Maine but it is not very springlike yet.

My book should be out next month, I hope you enjoy it. Perhaps even write a review on Amazon after you read it.

Best wishes to you as well,

Stavros
Saco, Maine