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Dilys Powell
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The Villa Ariadue Hardcover – January 1, 1973

by Dilys Powell (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 43 ratings
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An exciting true-life story blending archaeological history, military adventure, romance, and travel.
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  1. Print length
    252 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Hodder and Stoughton
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 1973
  5. ISBN-10
    0340177705
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0340177709
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hodder and Stoughton; First Edition (January 1, 1973)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 252 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0340177705
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0340177709
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.1 ounces
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 43 ratings

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Dilys Powell

Dilys Powell

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
43 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Warren Hope
5.0 out of 5 stars An Adventurous Chunk of History
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2019
Verified Purchase
The Villa Ariadne was the house established by Sir Arthur Evans as his base of operations when he excavated Knossos in Crete. Dilys Powell first became aware of it through her husband who was an archaeologist. She writes exceptionally well--she was a practicing journalist--about a fascinating slice of history, the history of this villa as it passed from the English, to the Nazi army, and at last to the Greeks. The role of English archaeologists in the resistance to the Nazis by citizens of Crete is a too-little-known piece of World War II history. A fascinating tale beautifully told.
One person found this helpful
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keetmom
5.0 out of 5 stars A writer and friend of the highest quality
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2016
I was lent this book by a friend who knows of my fascination with Crete and especially the heroics of the resistance forces and the British undercover agents during WWII. What a delightful and informative read it turned out to be. Dilys Powell is a wonderful observer of humanity, deeply respectful of the people she meets and sensitive to their lived experiences. She is also well versed in the archeological studies having lived briefly on the island as the wife of one of the leading scholars, known Sir Arthur Evans and been a personal friend of John Pendlebury. The most moving parts of the book are her own postwar researches into Pendlebury's death in the early days of the Battle of Crete. A fluent Greek speaker, she tracks down eye witnesses of the event years later and rebuilds what is certainly the fullest and most likely account of what really happened. The heartbreak of this and accounts of her efforts to locate the place where other Cretan friends fell are the most moving parts of her story. The most entertaining is her recreation of the epic ascent of Mount Ida by Paddy Leigh Fermor and his band of andartes in smuggling the German commander they had kidnapped off the island. Dilys Powell was a remarkable woman with buckets of spirit, courage and loyalty. I would love to have met her.
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C Seher
5.0 out of 5 stars An odd gem with many facets
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2014
An odd gem with many facets, all deftly symmetrized and absorbing. Superb language, narrative drive, erudition, insight, heart, and intelligence.

Ostensibly, the book is a partly autobiographical, partly scholarly art-and-archaeology history; and partly haunting WWII war stories and madcap/tragic real-life tales of adventure, including the General's abduction in 1944, all swirling around an improbable center: a building in Crete.

Just following the intertwining trajectories of Evans, Pendlebury, Kreipe, Moss, and Leigh Fermor would be rewarding by itself. But pulling them all together around the distinctive Villa is an inspired stroke. Wise and astute---and all over the place---a very different compact and filling book.
2 people found this helpful
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Paul Hochman
5.0 out of 5 stars The greatest work on Crete to date
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2001
Powell's work is a must for any archaeological enthusiest. Written with extreme intelligence and backed with remarkable historical fact, the Villa comes alive within the pages of this brilliant piece of scholarship.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

lmw
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 15, 2017
Verified Purchase
cant wait to read as I love crete and knossos
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sillyoldfossil
5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 9, 2017
Verified Purchase
Fab ,a joy to receive copy,so very promptly
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Ian Ross
3.0 out of 5 stars The History of Archaeology of Knossos
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 8, 2023
Verified Purchase
The Villa Ariadne was the home of the archaeologists who explored the ruins of Knossos, the Minoan civilisation's capital, and is a useful guide to those who are interested in it. But it is also autobiographical and that leaves is unbalanced. Nevertheless it is easy to read and provides a lens into the characters of the principal players in this important project
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Suffolk lady
4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating history of Crete
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2019
Verified Purchase
Have personal connections with Crete and was fascinated by this account. How much things have changed and yet the Cretans are the same. Loses a star because of long winded details
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E L WARD
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 10, 2017
Verified Purchase
Good price, speedy delivery, good quality book. Thanks.
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