Nikos Kazantzakis Life and Times of Alexis Zorbas Zorba the Greek Athens, Dimitrakou, 1946 8o, Pages 353 Original cover pages This Greek first edition is preceding all other editions Hand signed by Nikos Kazantzakis! Cover Pages well preserved. Hand signed books by Nikos Kazantzakis are of highest scarcity! Nikos Kazantzakis (Νίκος Καζαντζάκης 1883-1957) was a Greek writer, journalist, politician, poet and philosopher. Widely considered a giant of modern Greek literature, he was nominated for the Nobel Prize in nine different years, and remains the most translated Greek author worldwide. He also translated a number of notable works into Modern Greek, such as the Divine Comedy, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, On the Origin of Species, St. Francis of Assisi, etc. Written in Aegina in 1941, under the original title The [Saint's] Life of Zorbas. The final version was completed in 1943. Part of the prologue was published in issues 11-12 of the literary magazine Kritikes Selides, (December 1936 - January 1937) pp. 290-292. The novel is based on the life of Giorgis Zorbas, the author's friend and business partner. It wαs a worldwide publishing success and in 1964 it was transferred to the cinema by Michalis Kakogiannis under the title Zorba the Greek (Alexis Zorbas) while in 1968 it was also made into a musical under the title Zorba. Alexis Zorbas, is the Greek personification of the spirit of life. He dances and plays the santuri, he indulges in sensual pleasures, and he has no qualms in his exuberant enjoyment of life.