"A Greek Tragedy" Author Talk w/ Jeanne Carstensen (Mill Valley)

"On October 28, 2015, a boat meant for only a few dozen passengers capsized off the coast of the Greek island of Lesvos. Hundreds of refugees, forced in desperation onto the overloaded boat manned by armed smugglers, were tossed into a roiling sea. The resulting loss of life, the largest in a single day during the biggest refugee crisis since World War II, shocked the world."

"After nearly a decade of research and interviews, investigative reporter Jeanne Carstensen has captured every detail of the dramatic twenty-four hours. From the recollections of the refugees' lives before they left their homes to a full account of the courageous rescue efforts of the Greek islanders and volunteers rushing to help, even as their government and the EU failed to act."

"In this remarkable narrative feat, Carstensen brilliantly showcases the extraordinary heroism of ordinary people in extreme circumstances. In a world where forced migration is on the rise, and where standing up to protect our neighbors can come at great personal risk, A Greek Tragedy challenges us to confront our collective humanity."

On October 28, 2015, an overloaded boat meant for only a few dozen passengers capsized off Lesvos, Greece. Hundreds of refugees, driven by desperation and placed on the vessel with armed smugglers, were thrown into rough seas. The death toll became the largest in a single day during the biggest refugee crisis since World War II and shocked the world. Nearly a decade of research and interviews produced a detailed account of the twenty-four hours before and after the wreck. The narrative includes refugees’ lives before departure, the rescue efforts by Greek islanders and volunteers, and the failure of government and EU action. It emphasizes ordinary people’s courage under extreme conditions.

Read at Funcheap