Greek Fire: The Story of Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis

by Nicholas Gage

Book Overview

The love affair of Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis scandalized and fascinated the world from the moment it began in 1959 during a cruise on the fabled yacht Christina. In the decades since, dozens... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375402446
• ISBN13: 9780375402449
• Release Date: October 2000
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 6.7" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Hearts On Fire.

I started reading this story fews days ago and I just couldn't put it down.A good book,good photos inserted and it's the full saga ever told about the Onassis's dynasty,though many events aren't evidently true.

Could Not Put it Down Kind of Book!

I loved this book. I am the type of person who cannot seem to finish a book unless it totally captures my interest but this book from the beginning to end poured information about both Callas and Onassis that were so interesting. Although I felt the detailed day-to-day schedule on the voyage of Christina when Callas was on it was a bit boring due to too much details but it was still facinating. Mr. Gage, just seems really committed to relating facts, which is above all most important when writing biographies. Thank you for the wonderful book, Mr. Gage. Bravo! on a wonderful job.

Finally an honest telling of the Callas/Onassis story!

My grandmother gave me my first opera recording when I was 11 years old - the second Callas Tosca, and I spent much time later as an adult buying every recording she made and reading every book I could get my hands on to discover as much about this compelling artist as I could. At last, here is the definitive version of her great love affair, told impartially from many sources close to the heart of their relationship. I had always known that tabloid gossips had put a wrongful spin on what was going on, and it is refreshing to read the facts here, and have many longstanding falsehoods exposed. I knew absolutely nothing of Onassis before reading "Greek Fire", and this book gives a good general overview of his life and rise to being one of the richest men in the world. Onassis does not come off as the villian here - forcing Maria to give up her singing, to have an abortion, and then dumping her for Jackie Kennedy. The intricate byplay of these very public figures is chronicled extremely well, with each side of the "triangle" treated fairly. If anything, it is Jackie who comes off as the greedy, material, and socially power hungry villian, concerned only for herself, finally hooking the wealthiest man she could get her hands on. Since he is not a musical scholar, Gage does not discuss in depth the decline of Callas' voice prior to meeting Onassis, but it is fairly indicated, so at last here is a biographer that does not spin the familiar "Callas gave it all up for Onassis" story. Having read virtually every book published about Callas, I can say that this is certainly one of the best out there. I read it over one weekend, and immediately started reading it again. It was compelling.

A totally new perspective on Callas.

I consider this particular book to be a must for every Callas fan. Although it does not focus much on detailed aspects of her carer it reveals more of the person she was behind her operatic characters.You also get to know much better the man for whom she gave up everything without hesitation,Aristotle Onassis.It is an amazing account of events from the moment these two amazing people met ,to the daily account of life aboard the Christina during the cruise.Throughout the book you cannot help feeling that these two human beings were meant to be together , that they were made for each other.Being such a Callas fan ,like I am I welcomed this book not only because it gave me a completely new insight on her life , but also because of the tremendous hard work and impartiality the author put on this amazing account.It is an amazing piece of work and I have to say that I found myself admiring Callas much more than I did before ,and also admiring Onassis and having a little bit more consideration for hem. Congratulations to Mr.Nicholas Gage for the wonderfull book ,I am so glad you felt there was a true need to do it.

Can't put it down

It's Monday afternoon. I bought this book on Saturday afternoon and have been reading it almost non-stop. Just glanced at the Sunday papers. In the Forward the author writes that biographies are difficult as different people tell what happened at one particular time or event in different ways. It is hard to know what is the truth, but in this case he was able to interview people who are still alive and could provide insight.I had never known much about Maria Callas before I read this, but have so enjoyed reading her story. She was larger than life and things that happened to her reflect that. After reading about all of the affairs, power plays, wasted lives, etc, of these supposedly "beautiful people", I am glad that my life has been boring. I grew to dislike Onassis as the book went on. He wasn't a very nice person. Don't feel one bit sorry for him for all the trouble he had in his last years. Many pictures, that I'd never seen before, added to book. I'm so glad the author wrote this.