Captain Michalis or Freedom and Death.

KAZANTZAKIS, Nikos.

$8,800.00

Item Number: 5746

Athens:, 1953.

First Greek edition of Kazantzakis’ classic novel. Octavo, original wrappers. Signed by Nikos Kazantzakis on the title page. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. First editions are rare, signed examples exceptionally so.

Captain Michalis or Freedom and Death is one of the most widely read books of modern Greek literature which has been translated and published in several languages. Freedom or Death was added as a subtitle to the second edition in Greek released by Difros publishers in Athens in 1955 and was the preferred English (US) title. In the UK the book was published as Freedom and Death, which were the last words in the book. The expression comes from the Greek national motto "Freedom or Death" (Eleftheria i thanatos), derived from the Greek War of Independence and used by Cretan rebels.