By global superpower standards, what happened in Cyprus during the summer of 1974 was a mere miscalculation. It was, however, a disaster for thousands of ordinary Cypriots, both Greek and Turk. This account of those times is exceptional because it is written by an artist who is both a detached outside observer and a passionate insider who cares very much for the well-being of all Cypriots. This book does not focus on the politics of a now-divided island or apportion blame for its current state or dwell relentlessly on the suffering of its refugees. Rather it tells the stories of a few...