A look at a current news item through the lens of different titles available on GVRL.
By Michelle Eickmeyer
Ah, Santorini. The quintessential picture of Greece. Stark white building against lovely blue sea. Full disclosure: I’ve chosen this picture for partially selfish reasons. It is currently -8F (-22.2C) outside of the Gale office in Farmington Hills. I need this picture right now.
The European Union is a unique beast. More than a union, it is the political equivalent to a family. Yes, each country exists separately with its own government, systems, laws and rules. But it also exists as part of the EU, giving up certain parts of its original, separate self to be part of this combined “we”. At the end of World War II, Europe was failing. Having never fully recovered from WWI before II started, it’s no small miracle anything or anyone was left. In the years which followed, several multi-national unions, agencies, and communities were formed. In 1981, Greece joined the European Community (the precursor to the EU), as the 10th member. (Great resource here.)
Over the past year or so, news about Greece has been highly charged and, often, contentious. A new prime minister took office, taking victory based primarily on assurance that he was going to shake things up. Early days saw the biggest shake ups being his decision not to wear a tie (critique of men’s fashion being limited, this seems ridiculous) and a bit of grandstanding by neighboring leaders to show the ‘new guy’ that they aren’t going to be messed with so easily. As with most political topics, the conversation surrounding the future of Greece as a member of the EU swings wildly from highly bureaucratic to feeling immensely personal. By the numbers, it may make sense for the rest of the EU nations to simply let this one go. Save the barrel for the sake of the one apple, as it were. But, as a member of EU, wouldn’t you just wonder…. if we can lose Greece, what would happen if our “apple” starts to turn? Germany has denounced another bailout, and its government is feeling pressure from both sides in the media.
Here are five titles that look at Greece from different perspectives:
Let’s not get carried away – this book makes no promises to make *you* 18,000% in the stock market. However, understanding foreign currency is key to that. And what does that have to do with Greece? There are several paths which are likely futures for Greece in relation to the EU. And one is that Greece leaves the EU, thus forcing it to stop using the Euro as its currency. Other member of the EU family have invested in Greece, and each will feel a hit proportional to that investment. But the market effect will be larger, as the implications of an EU member leaving and failing are larger than the EU. (Which is why this is a path of last resort.) To understand the implications of Greece requires an understanding of the stock market.
New Trends in Emission Control in the European Union, 1st Edition. Springer, 2014.
The air I breathe is attached to the air you breathe. As such, air quality in the whole of Europe is the kind of thing that the EU takes issue with. In the U.S., 31 states and the District of Columbia have some form of emission standard. So the potentially all polluted air I create in Michigan is flowing freely into the “sometimes regulated” air of neighboring states Wisconsin and Ohio… and Canada! Take a look at this one aspect of regional governmental oversight in this new Springer title.
The Rough Guide to The Greek Islands, 1st Edition. Rough Guides, 2013.
In 2014, over 16.4M people visited Greece, and with images like the one above — who could blame them! From ancient ruins to top ranked nude beaches, there’s something for everyone in Greece. From personal experience, one of the great features of the Rough Guides is the “not to miss” section. No matter how much time you’re spending in Greece, it will be impossible to see it all. This short list of recommendations will ensure that you (mostly) won’t waste that precious time.
Modern Architectural Theory, 1st Edition. Cambridge University Press, 2009.
Stereo-typically, the Greeks are historically great architects and warriors. What influences and effects have they had on the rest of us? Explore both of those options in this (first of its kind) double entry.
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About the Author
Michelle is an “anytime!” traveler and language enthusiast. She has degrees in talking from Central Michigan and Michigan State University. She is currently becoming a runner and used to play golf in high school.
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