This travel guide-cum-history by a former British ambassador to Greece/historian who lives in Athens focuses mainly on the city that became the modern capital in 1834. But as the Olympics exemplify, the past is part of its present. Smith includes pen-and-ink illustrations rather than the usual tourist photos, a glossary of Greek terms, and places to visit (without contact information). Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)