Armed with his unique expertise on Greece, the Balkans and 20th century Europe, the British historian Mazower produced a best-selling global multi – award winner. Earning instant critical acclaim, in 2004 it was characterized as “a tremendous book about a city unique not just in Europe, but in the entire history of humanity”, (The Times), while The Independent was equally full of admiration: "Enthralling, tragic, hopeful, beautifully written".For Mazower, Salonica was the ultimate urban melting pot, a place where Europe met the Middle East. Aiming to “see the experiences of competing ethnic groups within the terms of a single encompassing historical narrative”, he succeeded so well in his task that not only history scholars, but readers will refer to this book as a prime source of information about the city.