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[Nikitas]

There are works by Patroclos Stavrou, and Lykavgis, both close associates of Makarios who kept notes and documentary evidence from their years with him.

The most insightful work I heard quoted was the one from his personal secretary which was withdrawn shortly after publication, in one of those great faux pas of Cypriot politics which wants the ethnarch to be beyond reproach.

One insightful instance from the above book is Makarios' expressed dislike for political defeat, saying he would not be willing to enter an election he was not sure to win. Brings to mind his contemporary Karamanlis who self exiled himself after an electoral defeat.

Oddly enough the comments by Rauf Denktash, although they may be scattered in other works, are another insight into the personality of Makarios. Deep down Denktash envied him and wanted to be like him. Read the comments and you will see what I mean. Thre is one case at UN sponsored talks, and Denktash states how during the hours long talks he excused himself to use the toilet and called out for sandwiches and drinks several times, as did the UN representative. For eight hours Makarios sat in his seat and did not move, did not eat or drink anything. Never underestimate the will power of a monk!

[Bananiot]

I used to know Prokopis Vanezis quite well. He spent many years at the Cyprus Consulate in the UK and reached the rank of Ambassador, if I am not mistaken. He was then posted to Australia.

Prokopis ans Stavrou knew Makarios very well but they both benefited from him. They would not be the most unbiased people on earth.

[Bananiot]

A different approach on Makarios may be seen in Ploutis Servas's books. He was a left winger of immense personality and intellect and adversary of Makarios. Ploutis did not think much of Makarios and considered him to be responsible for much of Cyprus predicament.

[Bananiot]

Yet, when you start reading a book you have to discard any pre concieved ideas and retain an open mind. I do not think Oracle is capable of this. Her starting point is that Makarios was immaculate in everything.

[Nikitas]

Immaculate in everything is a notion that a priest would reject as hybris, as it is a divine and not a human trait.

One major fault in the history of Makarios is his inability to grasp the serious nature of a nation state enterprise. There are plenty more, but this is the one that did the most damage.

[Oracle]

Yet, when you start reading a book you have to discard any pre concieved ideas and retain an open mind. I do not think Oracle is capable of this. Her starting point is that Makarios was immaculate in everything.

Bananiot how do you ever manage to motivate any of your students with such a negative attitude, when someone is showing a desire to learn?

I have enormous capacity to be open minded, something which I may not display on the forum when faced with crass views .... but why should I? .. I am here to learn, and I use various tactics to canvas views.

There is nothing shameful about having preferences.

I know my (few) encounters with Makarios have all been positive and left me in awe of him .... and I feel cheated that he died so young and I was in the UK for most of his leadership years and had little exposure to his wisdom and fortitude.

Bananiot you have to agree he was quite extraordinary ....

[rotate]

Try the following,

Cyprus & Makarios.
Author Stanley Mayes 1960 London Putman.

Makarios. A Biography.
Author Stanley Mayes 1981 London Macmillan.

"Both books are a sympathetic but critical treatment of Makarios based on a long study by Mayes of the Cyprus problem and close personal contact".

Well written and highly readable, both books leave the reader sympathetic to Makarios as a man and as a leader.

The Cyprus Revolt.
Author Nancy Crawshaw 1978 London George Allen & Unwin.
Still the definitive English language book on the Cypriot struggle for ENOSIS and after. Contains useful and interesting information about Makarios.

[Magnus]

I remember 'Life & Leadership' by Dr P.N. Vanezis being a good read. I've also read quite a few books on the 'British Rule to Republic' period and it's reliable enough to be credited by just about every other historian who has written on that period.

I did a quick Google search and it seems he's also written two others:

Makarios: Faith & Power
Makarios: Pragmatism V. Idealism

I haven't heard of these before but I would probably get 'Life and Leadership' if I were you.

Makarios: A biography by Stanley Mayes is good too but I used it more for reference on certain issues rather than read it from start to finish.

I can recommend a few books if you're interested in the 'British Rule to Republic' era.

[Oracle]

Try the following,

Cyprus & Makarios.
Author Stanley Mayes 1960 London Putman.

Makarios. A Biography.
Author Stanley Mayes 1981 London Macmillan.

"Both books are a sympathetic but critical treatment of Makarios based on a long study by Mayes of the Cyprus problem and close personal contact".

Well written and highly readable, both books leave the reader sympathetic to Makarios as a man and as a leader.

The Cyprus Revolt.
Author Nancy Crawshaw 1978 London George Allen & Unwin.
Still the definitive English language book on the Cypriot struggle for ENOSIS and after. Contains useful and interesting information about Makarios.

Thanks rotate ...

That sounds about right. The emphasis seems foremost about Makarios and it wasn't written too long after his death.

[Oracle]

I remember 'Life & Leadership' by Dr P.N. Vanezis being a good read. I've also read quite a few books on the 'British Rule to Republic' period and it's reliable enough to be credited by just about every other historian who has written on that period.

I did a quick Google search and it seems he's also written two others:

Makarios: Faith & Power
Makarios: Pragmatism V. Idealism

I haven't heard of these before but I would probably get 'Life and Leadership' if I were you.

Makarios: A biography by Stanley Mayes is good too but I used it more for reference on certain issues rather than read it from start to finish.

I can recommend a few books if you're interested in the 'British Rule to Republic' era.

Well I'm pleased you've read the "Life and Leadership" biography and found it good .... So that is a must.

Go ahead and post recommendations for "British Rule to Republic", if it is not too much trouble, thanks Magnus, although I personally would find them hard going ... biographies (featuring people ) are digestible, but pure politics doesn't do it for me