My Greek Drama: Life, Love, and One Woman's Olympic Effort to Bring Glory to Her Country

by Gianna Angelopoulos

Standing alone in the VIP box of the Olympic Games in 2004, Gianna Angelopoulos began to dance. The world had doubted Greece’s ability to successfully stage this global event. She danced to celebrate the efforts of all Greeks—and her own—to host a phenomenally successful games, an effort that showed the world a new Greece, a Greece worthy of its illustrious heritage.

Little did she know that a few years later her country would abandon the lessons of the Olympics and become embroiled in a political and economic crisis that would devastate Greece, and threaten the economic security of Europe.

In My Greek Drama, Gianna Angelopoulos—known in her home country simply as “Gianna”—has written a memoir that is as much about Greece’s journey as her own. From her childhood in Crete, to law school in Thessaloniki, to Athens, where she overcame male-dominated legal and political cultures to help redefine public service in Greece, Gianna worked her way into becoming one of the most respected women in Greek public life.

Balancing motherhood, business, and a place in the upper echelons of world society, Gianna never lost her passion for public service and brought the 2004 Olympic Games back from the brink of catastrophe to what was later called an “unforgettable dream games.”

Her life, her Cinderella love story, and her intensity of will are equally unforgettable. From stories of handing out basil seeds on the streets of Athens to entertaining royalty and political leaders in London, Zurich, and Athens, My Greek Drama captures the burning ambition of the rebellious girl from the island of Crete who “lit” the Olympic torch. Her story should help rekindle the spirit of the Greek people, and of every person who has ever struggled to change the world.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Greece, Inspirational, Biography Memoir

299 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki (born Ioanna Daskalaki) is a Greek business woman. She is best known for being the president of the bidding and organizing committee for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. She was named one of the 50 most powerful women by Forbes magazine.

Reviews

[Filip · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a drama, but a farce. My feelings for the author as I went through this book went from irritation, anger, scorn to pity. The woman comes across as a delusional megalomaniac, a gold digger and possibly a psychopath. No doubt she made things happen, but you leave this book thinking it was only done through bullying, flirting and conniving. Her name-dropping is preposterous, her management style is atrocious ("never tell your employees the big picture; it will distract them from their tasks") and her memory - sporadic at best. Nowhere will you find a logical explanation for her seemingly fortuitous successes. Instead, the book reads like a personal exoneration for any negative fall-out from the Olympics that bankrupted her country, and especially like a settling of accounts with Greek politicians. Angelopoulos is bipartisan insofar that she will have something bad to say of politicians on both side of the divide. This book should be made into a sitcom, starring some over-the-top tranny. Maybe then I'll find it funny.

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received My Greek Drama as part of a Goodreads giveaway.

In it, Gianna Angelopoulos recounts her life in Greece, focusing upon her political career, particularly her struggles balancing her political life with her identity as a woman and young mother, and her role in leading the planning and execution of the Athens 2004 Olympics. She closes with some thoughts on Greece's current economic situation and how, in her view, it can be remedied.

It's a fascinating story, and hearing how Mrs. Angelopoulos rose through the ranks of power to find success both in her home country and in initiatives around the world is truly inspiring. My one big issue with it is the self-congratulatory tone of the book. Angelopoulos seems to give herself universal praise--she's never wrong about anything, and when something goes badly, it's because the people involved didn't listen to her advice. It just sort of got grating after a while. She never once expresses a sincere regret or mistake on her part, and the book lacks the kind of perspective that I'd expect from a woman of her ability, intelligence, and experience.

Angelopoulos' story is a intriguing one, but the execution is quite off-putting.

[wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

When someone sits down to write an autobiography a person has to have two things - and interesting story to tell and a bit of an over sized ego that people want to hear what you have to say. Ms. Angelopoulos has both. Her primary claim to fame is that she was the driving force and architect to help bring the 2004 Olympics to Athens, Greece and make them a success and I certainly applaud her for this. It really was a tremendous testament to her work ethic and fortitude. I also learned a lot about Greek culture that I found very interesting. However she really throws a lot of people under the bus on the way and it seems that her life she almost always makes the correct decisions no matter what the issue may be. She also has dozens of color glossy photos of herself with the rich and famous of the world. So, if you can get past her over sized ego it is a very enjoyable book.

[Shay · Rating 3 out of 5]

***Received Copy From Author***

Wish I could have rated this as 3.5 Stars. Although her accomplishments are something to be proud of, I just could not get over the fact that she claimed everything for herself. There is a fine line between pride and just plain bragging. She takes full effort for her wins even though I'm sure many people know that it takes serious preparation from a team. It lagged in some parts but it was also a good read.

A great and important piece of history, especially for Greece. Although I though there was too much self-righteous bragging for me it was a really good and informative read. I learned things about Greece that I never knew and I figure if you learned at least one new thing, it's a book worth reading.

[Nick Politakis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting read. She is quite a woman and I admire her immensely. I think the book could have been more than what she was wearing when she Did this or hat. She could have been more detailed about her personal issues but overall it left me knowing a lo more about her and what she Did for Greece. We need more women like her to step forward. The world would be a better place.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of My Greek Drama as part of a GoodReads First Reads giveaway.

Giana Angelopoulos is a somewhat typical driven woman. Her family history and young life are caught up with the culture and history of Crete, and she feels herself destined for greatness, probably as an ambassador, and refuses to take no for an answer. Through her legal career, run for local office, and involvement in the 2004 Athens Olympics, Angelopoulos goes through personal turmoil as well as political betrayal and maneuvering. Hearing how Greek politics works from a former insider was fascinating, though I wasn't sure how much self promotion or spin was involved in the retelling. Angelopoulos does admit that she can be domineering and loud at times, all in service of getting done what needs to be done especially as Greece almost drops the ball in the lead up until the Olympics.

The boards are decorated as a collage of snapshots of Angelopoulos meeting foreign dignitaries and the color photograph inserts strongly recall a personal biography for a family audience. Instead of being a rigorous academic work or more of a creative memoir, Angelopoulos writes up a memoir in the style of something that she could pass down to her family as a memory of her life. It's a tone that I'm surprised to be found in a hardcover available commercially, but if anyone needs reminding Angelopoulos is well connected in the business and academic worlds, so maybe her family is more than just her biological one.

Despite feeling unsure about her recounting of her political career, I was interested to hear what Angelopoulos thought about the current economic troubles with Greece. Her experiences make her a highly qualified commentator, and her insight puts into context the recent history of Greece.

[Michelle Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first paragraph I was hooked on this book. Gianna begins by telling the readers about her beautiful childhood in the quaint area of Crete as a young Greek girl. Her drive and passion for everything she sets her mind to are astounding. Gianna's childhood dream of becoming the first woman ambassador, and the details of how she accomplished this are captivating. Gianna forced her way through money and gender barriers to accomplish her dream, a message all can take away from reading her memoir. The book does a great job of explaining Greek Politics, if you are not an expert, as I was in that situation. Besides the government aspect Gianna writes about her personal life, from her husband Theodore to the growing up of her three children. Gianna's personal writing style drew me in right away and left me wanting to know more about her fascinating life.

The most interesting part of this book however was not politics, or even her lavish lifestyle but the role she played in the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics. Her passion and intense drive was put to the ultimate test to persuade her whole country to put their strength behind the bid. It was truly a Herculean effort. Reading about the magnificent success the games were left me smiling at her overwhelming pride in the task she completed. Gianna's book is definitely worth the read, I would strongly recommend it to anyone, especially women. The message is empowering and her strength of will is a trait everyone should strive for.

[Eleftheria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ομολογώ ότι ποτέ δεν τη συμπάθησα. Σίγουρα όμως την εκτίμησα μέσα από το έργο της για την Ολυμπιάδα του 2004 κι εξακολουθούσε να μου φαίνεται άκρως αντιπαθητικά.

Αν κι είχα πολλές αμφιβολίες για το αν έπρεπε να μπω στον κόπο να ξεφυλλίσω καν την αυτοβιογραφία της, ομολογώ ότι με κέρδισε από τις πρώτες σελίδες! Κυριολεκτικά το ρούφηξα!

Μία ιστορία ελληνική. Με χιούμορ και απόλυτη ειλικρίνεια (ή τουλάχιστον έτσι φαίνεται). Ξανάζησα την καλύτερη περίοδο της σύγχρονης ιστορίας μας αλλά πραγματικά πόνεσα αυτή τη γυναίκα σε κάθε της βήμα.

Μπορεί ακόμη να μην μου βγαίνει η συμπάθια, μπορεί να μη μου αρέσει ο χαρακτήρας, αλλά είναι αδιαμφισβήτητα μία λαμπρή ηγέτης και η αυτοβιογραφίας της μπορεί να σταθεί πηγή έμπνευσης για όλους. Ειδικά όμως όσοι έχει χρειαστεί να ακουμπήσουν έστω και λίγο στο Ελληνικό Δημόσιο κι έχουν ακόμη μέσα τους την πίστη για ένα καλύτερο αύριο εδώ, στην Ελλάδα για την Ελλάδα, σίγουρα θα την καταλάβουν και ίσως αντλήσουν δύναμη και κουράγιο από την δική της εμπειρία για για μπορέσουμε να κάνουμε επιτέλους την Ελλάδα αυτό που της αξίζει.

Θα κρατήσω λοιπόν τη δική της φράση από την τελετή λήξης των αγώνων
"Ας κρατήσουμε την φλόγα της δημιουργίας, τη προσπάθειας, της νίκης, άσβηστη στην ψυχή μας".

[Lissa00 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gianna Angelopoulos can list many accomplishments, including successful management of the Athens Olympic Games. Born into a middle-class family, through hard work and determination she worked her way through law school, government positions, a high-profile marriage and as President of the Olympics organizing committee. She offers wonderful insight into her management and communication skills.

This is a well written book but as with anyone writing a memoir, there is a certain amount of self-congratulatory ego involved and she has it in spades. Although she has obviously worked hard her entire life, it was hard to read her brag about her accomplishments along with the great luxuries she enjoyed because of her supremely wealthy husband. While she is an extremely interesting and ambitious woman, she is really not one that I can relate too. Overall, this is a very good insight into the current Greek social and political culture and worth reading.

This was a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Jim Cabaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a volunteer with Chicago 2016, I was so disappointed when Chicago lost the host bid for the Olympics. When I heard Gianna Angelopoulos wrote her autobiography, I knew I had to read it. I enjoyed this candid autobiography of the girl from Crete that got on the world stage with the Olympics in Athens.

I loved how Giannna described her youth and her rise due to love of reading and education. One of my favorite chapters was called A Touch of Basil which talks about her start in politics and all obstacles she had to overcome.

I was amazed on how she actually organized the Olympic bid committee. In today's world, it is hard to keep politics out of the Olympics. She managed it all first class. Her journey to organize the Olympics in Athens, I could not put the book down till it ended.

I highly recommend this book! So many lessons as a individual you will gain.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always look forward to the new books sent me through the Goodreads Giveaway program. When I started to read this selection, I was immediately drawn into the style of prose... I felt like Gianna was sitting across from me at a small cafe table and just talking about her life.

That continued throughout the book, but once past the travelogue setting of Greece and Crete, I became disenchanted with her life, as told from her perspective. So much about what she had done, not that it isn't inspiring, but because of how she represented herself in the story.

It is indeed the tale of 'One Woman's Olympic Effort' and solely that. True, perhaps, but written in such a way that I was glad to be finished.

I hate to say that about any book!

[Kelly W · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been said that if you want to get something done, ask a woman. Gianna Angelopoulos was the right woman ( and perhaps the only person ) to undertake the Herculean task of bringing the Olympic Games to Athens and making them successful. I remember this particular Olympics and hearing the backstory was fascinating. Considering the dysfunctional government, the corruption and the "we'll do it tomorrow" attitudes she faced, it's all the more amazing she got anything done at all. She nearly ruined her health in the bargain.

She had a strong will to do something beneficial for her beloved Greece and the forceful personality to get it done. I did not remember her name from so many years ago, but now, I will not forget it. After reading her book, I admire her very much.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting non-fiction, that I won from Goodreads.

Written by Gianna Angelopoulos, who won the bid for Greece for the 2004 Olympics, and went on to lead Athens in actually getting the games ready - all the venues built, the ceremonies planned, the infrastructure ready etc.

It is a first person account of the amount of work involved, and all the political infighting that went on too. Gianna finishes by expressing her disappointment as to how Greece failed to capitalize on the patriotism and pride that abounded as the games were produced, and slipped back into the more typical political ways of running the country. Greece has slipped into huge debt, (not caused by the games) and most of its citizens are far worse off now than they were in 2004.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I graciously received a signed copy from the authors through a first reads giveaway win.

Gianna is an inspirational woman who shows that if you work hard, you can have it all. I also love that she married a powerful man and together they make a power couple. This was one of those times where I cheered when she married someone with tons of money, because she is not someone who thinks she's entitled, she proves her worth!

This book also gave me a brief insight into how corrupt the Greek government is, and how I would never want to have to live there because of it.

Gianna has done much for the country of Greece and it is actually a shame that the government has tried to distance her from that country.

Great read!

[JC · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd never heard of Gianna before reading this book, but it turns out shes a pretty well known woman that made the Greek Olympics happen. I didn't see any of the Greek Olympics when they happened, so can't say how the Olympics ran, but based off of what I've heard, they were successful. I suspect that the only reason they happened was because of Gianna though - sounds like Greece was a pretty big mess before she agreed to take over.

The writing in this was a little rough at times and I think that she probably chose to write it to defend herself - you can tell there were times when she was definitely trying to do just that. Overall though, interesting read, and learned a lot about what it would take to organize the Olympics...

[Laurie Reilly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree with what most of the other reviewers are saying. Yes, she accomplished a lot in her life, but I felt that she bragged and talked herself up way too much. It seems she accomplished everything (including "my Olympics") by herself and every time something didn't go well it was because they didn't listen to her. She also bragged about her wealth a lot. Who needs to know you were wearing a Hermes scarf or what art you have in your home? I thought the concept of the book sounded very interesting, but she really didn't give much detail except to brag about herself and so I had to push myself to finish the book. Very disappointing.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from GoodReads first reads. This was a quick read, as Gianna tells the story of her childhood, then moves to her professional life. She thinks very highly of herself, and while I won't deny that she is a hard worker, some of her success certainly comes from marrying well. She is often disparaging of Greeks, and their ability to make think, while I believe she is being truthful, I think perhaps a diplomat should be more diplomatic. I did enjoy the insight of what goes into making the Olympics happen.

[Christel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to review this. This is a great insider's story on the Olympics like I've never seen in print or an TV. If you're a fan of the Olympics, you will find this very interesting, but I think that it would have been better if a 3rd party could have had the author pull back and be a bit more balanced about the roles of others both good and bad. That's why I gave it a 3 rather than a 4. It's good, but it could have been better.

[Liz V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angelopoulos details her successful efforts to bring the Olympics to Greece in 2004 and then to save the Games when preparations lag. Underlying all descriptions is Angelopoulos' frustration that the spirit of the Greek people arising from the Games has been dissipated by the politicians. To her, it comes as no great surprise but nonetheless a disappointment that the politicians' self interest continue so unabated as to allow Greece to sink into the financial swamp that prevails today. Noteworthy is the parallel to US politicians mentioned but not explored as outside the scope of the book.

[Madonna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the book; but thought the author was a little over the top in bragging about her accomplishments. She had a lot of help with this, no matter that she did not really credit anyone else.

While I enjoyed reading about the Greek Olympics, there was too little information about Greece and too many pictures of Gianna for my taste. I love history and was a little disappointed.

I received this book from goodreads for free and do believe the author cares about Greece, but really too much of the author and not enough of Greece.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was interesting to see all that goes into hosting the Olympic games. Angelopoulos leaves one wondering how any country manages to do it without her.
I quickly grew tired of her name-dropping, constant references to her (husband's) wealth, and feeling that only she could save the Olympics and redeem her beloved Greece. She all but ignored her family for six years and considers the 55% divorce rate among her employees as collateral damage.
Overall, I was impressed with the Olympics, but underwhelmed by Angelopoulos.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. The only thing I didn't really like was the parts when the author kept mentioning stuff she talked about before but this happened mostly in the beginning and at the end so it wasn't too bad. A very interesting book and Gianna sounds like a very fascinating woman who knows how to get things done and doesn't think anything is impossible.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Angelopoulos writes a nice biography of a woman growing up in Greece. As a participant of the Greek Olympic Committee she gives insight into the selection of the host cities. I enjoyed that she gave some family background instead of being the usual ME, ME, ME biography. You can tell that she is not a professional writer but is writing from the heart. This was a free advance reading gift from the author.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt this book was well written. It was easy to follow - much better than many memoirs I have read. She was a powerful woman, bringing together a nation to accomplish a large task. She stood up to leaders who were used to having their way. She names people who were corrupt, which, I am sure, irritated many in the political arena in Greece. She is not afraid to sing her own praises, but she accomplished much. I recommend this book to help people understand the current situation in Greece.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this as a goodreads giveaway and I really didn't know what to expect. It was really an interesting story. I don't remember the Greek Olympics but this really gives you some insight of what it takes to get an Olympics put together. I wish I would have know a little more of the backstory, there seemed to be more to the story than what was being said.

[Harriet Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having some Greek heritage in my background was my initial interest in reading this memoir. As it turned out, that made it a bit more interesting but seeing the author as a strong woman with international ties solving multitudes of problems made it even better. I would recommend this for reading groups as well as perhaps college classes in women's studies with an international bent.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a little over-the-top as far as biographies go - interesting cultural and Olympic information but it is too 'textbook like' for me. Kudos to a strong woman who has many amazing accomplishments in her life but there is too much self-glorification to make by the author to make it an appealing read for me.

[Amortiser11 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a must read book. As a greek I am truly inspired by her effort moreover I believe that such kind of doers are missing from the teams that have served this nation.

About the book I think is very well written. I have read it in 1week (something that is a good indicator if you combine it with my average slow read paste)

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this on good reads.

An inspiring biography about a woman who made thing things happen in her life and for her country. Yes, there is a lot of ego and pride in this book, but for any woman to be successful she must have more gumption than a man would. Her insights on the self-centered politicians and political parties are equally applicable to this country as to Greece.

[Daphne · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Greek American I found this book to be a perfect read during the Greek financial crisis. It really gives you insight on how corrupt and ineffective most of the Greek government is. The author shared a detailed description of bringing the Olympics in 2004 to Greece with great success for such a small country.