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• December 16, 2004 (Rye Beach, NH): Publishers Christos and Mary Papoutsy (Hellenic Communication Service, LLC) greatly surprised the author by posting on their website a most complimentary review of Arcadia, My Arcadia written by Mary Papoutsy. In the article, Mrs. Papoutsy declared: Bravo! This book is a must-read for every person of Greek descent!

• December 14, 2004 (Elmhurst, IL): Newly elected President of Pan-Arcadian Federation of America, Mr. Jim Karalekas recommended Arcadia, My Arcadia to the membership, stating: Nikos Kokonis has done a superb jobThis story is for us and about usand about Arcadias immortal soul, and makes us proud of our ancestry and idealsThis is a must-read book that belongs in our libraries.

• December 12, 2004 (Kenilworth, IL): Author Nicholas D. Kokonis was given an elegant reception in the home of Mr. and Mrs. (Dr. Cathy) Peter Apostal, with Mr. and Mrs. (Litsa) Angelos Dalageorgas co-hosting. The author presented Arcadia, My Arcadia and the story behind it, lacing his presentation with authentic personal anecdotes from his childhood in Arcadia. This intimate group of friends and social acquaintances accorded the author an unforgettable evening.
   

• December 08, 2004 (Niles, IL): Book talk and signing at Holy Taxiarchai/St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church. Members in the audience applauded author Nicholas D. Kokonis for a story so close to the heart of the immigrant. Multiple copies of Arcadia, My Arcadia were purchased by single individuals for gifts to their friends and relatives.
   

• November 07, 2004 (Bennington, VT): A graceful reception in honor of the author was given by Dr. and Mrs. (Christiana) Justin Salem. The author presented Arcadia, My Arcadia in celebration of the rich Hellenic heritage. The large, culturally mixed audience responded most enthusiastically and applauded the author for a well-crafted, captivating and refreshing story.
   

• November 05, 2004 (Athens, Greece): On behalf of ERT (www.ert.gr), Katia Thanasouras interviewed author of Arcadia, My Arcadia, Nicholas D. Kokonis, extensively on the air.  The interview was carried on satellite radio on several dates, effective November 13, 2004. Readers interested in hearing this interview can contact www.ert.gr and make their request accordingly.
   
• October 10, 2004 (Athens, Greece): Before an audience that included outstanding Athenian men and women of letters and published authors, Nicholas D. Kokonis presented his just released novel, Arcadia, My Arcadia and signed copies for those in attendance. The reception was given in the private residence of Dr. Lela (and Thanasis) Mantis in the suburb of Pangrati. Theater critique Iphigenia Benaki epitomized the groups reaction when she stated, This is a living document of a bygone era worth preserving.
   

  Highlights of Athens book signing

   

• September 25, 2004 (Tripolis, Greece): Author Nicholas D. Kokonis received a trans-Atlantic telephone call from Georgia Mitchell informing him that the Board of the newly organized Book Club OPAH  had unanimously voted to launch its program with a reading of his novel Arcadia, My Arcadia. In addition, Mrs. Mitchell stated that the Board had officially recommended the book to the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center of Chicago. Dr. Kokonis donated six copies of Arcadia, My Arcadia to the Museum. Visitors to the Museum (located at 801 West Adams Street, 4th Floor, Chicago, IL 60607) can conveniently purchase their copies of Arcadia, My Arcadia there.
   
• September, 2004 (Tripolis, Greece): Popular local newspaper, ODOS ARCADIAS, published a review of Arcadia, My Arcadia by noted local journalist Kostas Frangos who stated: "A wonderful book...The author does not sentimentalize, as some Greek-American writers do, does not shout, nor does he act self-servingly. He simply narrates eloquently, and often dramatically...His language is rich and potent. The author generalizes the place. Arcadia could be Laconia, Elia. All these regions met the same fate. Lets hope that the book becomes available in Greek so that the locals could enjoy it as well.""
   
• July 29, 2004 (Tripolis/Levidi, Greece): During the Pan-Arcadian Federation's World-wide Convention (July 25-August 1), Nicholas Kokonis was bestowed an "Honorary Distinction" in recognition of his novel Arcadia, My Arcadia. The book, acclaimed as a "significant work of literature," won the widespread admiration of the Federation's members from Canada, Australia and America. Mr. Alex Rigopoulos, president of the Pan-Arcadian Federation of America (POA), handed Kokonis an inscribed commemorative plaque as he commended him in behalf of the Federation. "Arcadia, My Arcadia concerns all of us," he said. "It touches us like nothing before and holds our attention till the very end...To its author, our own Dr. Nikos Kokonis, are due our warm, very warm congratulations!"
   

Highlights of award presentation

(Author accepts congratulations from Mr. Alex Rigopoulos)

Before the large and attentive gathering of conventioneers, the author thanked the officers of the Pan-Arcadian Federation for the honor accorded him and reminded all those in attendance that Arcadia will never cease to inspire her children to pursue noble aspirations.  In his battle against the prime villains of the story, class struggle and poverty, Angelos acts with courage and determination, he said. Angelos Vlahos was not born to fear; it is not in his Arcadian genes to measure the height, depth or width of obstacles. His irrepressible spirit never gives in to adversity. Courage will keep his soul higher and even higher. Atlas carried the world; Angelos must carry his whole family on his back.

The President of the Pan-Arcadian Federation of Canada, Mr. Giamouranis, with the author

The author with the President of the Pan-Arcadian Federation of Australia, Mr. Evan Koinis

Enthusiastic declarations were also expressed by Dr. Costas Sarantopoulos, former president of POA, who heralded the book as "the synaxari of the immigrant." Dr. Sarantopoulos, a distinguished physician and author himself, particularly praised Kokonis for the literary quality of Arcadia, My Arcadia. He said that he was so struck by the writing attributes of the book that he assumed that its author "must have been born in America."

Constantine Kousiouris, a noted local literature specialist, ushered in Arcadia, My Arcadia as "the Greek immigrant's Odyssey." He said: "This well-written book, with admirable structure and plot and a rich language that is full of effective literary devices, moves the reader at once...Nikos Kokonis describes people, scenery and things with picture-perfect accuracy... Arcadia, My Arcadia is a document of life of the ordinary people of the countryside...The author, in the person of his main hero, seems to sketch out the prototype of a man who stands up against a society of profiteering, fierce cut-throat competition and moral corruption. He evidently interfaces us with the real meaning of the concept Ellin/Ellines (Greek), since Ellines denotes 'the people of the sun,' i.e., the people of light, of hope and of creative aspiration."

Photis Phournodavlos presents the book to the Australian delegation.

Another presentation, by Constantine Kousiouris.

Photis Fournodavlos, a noted Arcadian philologist working in Athens, stated: "We in Greece, and in Arcadia especially, owe deep gratitude to Nikos Kokonis because he took the ordinary life and scenery of our country and made them God's blessing, literature, and projected them on the universal horizon for the world to see and admire."

• July, 2004 (New York, NY): PANARCADIKA NEA carried the news of Arcadia, My Arcadia's release, declaring it "an authentic, well-written debut novel of startling power." (pg 19).
   
• June 28, 2004 (Tripolis, Greece): Nicholas D. Kokonis, author of Arcadia, My Arcadia, visited the offices of the Prefecture of Arcadia and presented a copy of his novel to the prefect, Dr. Demetrios G. Konstantopoulos. Dr. Konstantopoulos said: "With a novel like this to your credit, Nikos, you have amply demonstrated that everywhere you go you carry Arcadia with you, making it another 'movable feast' as it were. Frankly, I know of no better way to pay homage to one's country...Congratulations!"
   
  
• June 22, 2004 (Arcadia, Greece): Local papers (KATHIMERINA NEA, GORTYNIA, ANAGENNISI) publish an outstanding review of Arcadia, My Arcadia by noted Athenian philologist Photis Fournodavlos. Entitled: 'Original Literary Creation', the article stated: "Very rarely have I been more impressed with the reading of a novel than I was than with Arcadia, My Acracdia. Indeed, what could one first admire in this book? Its lucidity of thought, enviably rich language, or its striking literary virtues? The descriptions of things, landscapes, and characters, of action and events approach the limits of perfection. The profiling of metal states of its characters is well done and unique, with its variation from zenith nadir, from the coolness of paradise to the fires of hell, and from ultimate hopelessness to the triumph of victory."
   
• June 22, 2004 (Tripolis, Greece): Dr. Demosthenes Soteropoulos, Mayor of Tripolis, received Nicholas D. Kokonis, author of Arcadia, My Arcadia, in his office and congratulated him on his "singular achievement."
   

Mayor of Tripolis, Dr. Demosthenes Soteropoulos, with the author

Librarian Kostas Danigelis accepts a copy of "Arcadia, My Arcadia" donated to the Tripolis Public Library (where scenes in the story take place)

• May 04, 2004 (San Diego, CA): In a letter of commendation, Mr. Alex Rigopoulos, President of Pan-Arcadian Federation of America, wrote to its members: I have never read a book like this (Arcadia, My Arcadia). I extend Nikos Kokonis my heartfelt congratulations for a well-written, passionately told story that celebrates the valor of ordinary peopleI wholeheartedly endorse Arcadia, My Arcadia as an outstanding addition to any familys library.
   

The author holding the Olympic flame in Patras
during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games