Gelina Harlaftis is a distinguished historian with a profound interest in maritime economics and global trade. Her work delves into the long-term connections of port cities and their role in international shipping and commerce. Through extensive research, including projects funded by the European Union, she analyzes historical flows of goods and capital. Harlaftis explores how these maritime linkages have shaped economic and societal development across various regions of the world.
Shipping has been a leading sector in European economic growth for centuries. Yet, it rarely features in business or economic history. This history of shipping in Greece, which centers on the Vagliano brothers and Aristotle Onassis, redresses this by making this invisible global business visible.
This study provides the most comprehensive history of the development of modern Greek shipping ever published, from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day. It is richly illustrated with numerous maps, photographs and extensive tables.