By Dr George Gekas. 278 pp. Wecom Press

“It’s a heavy load being Greek,” notes the author in the introduction to Aromata & Chromata. Scents & Colors of Greece. A Crash Course in Greekness. And, indeed, it is. The question of “who is a Greek” and “what identifies Hellenes” is one troubling not only the diaspora, but Greeks in Greece today and this volume doesn’t lighten that load–or simplify things–with its enumeration of Greeks’ achievement. Or does it. Gekas, an associate professor at Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers School of Business Management, is quite clear about what he identifies as Greekness. “Being ‘Greek’ is a matter of mentality. It is a matter of an upbringing respectful of Greek culture.” As an overview, the volume is handy to have around, as it covers practically everything Greek from mythology through the 1821 independence revolt, and cultural elements like the taverna and the evil way. Even if you feel all this is familiar territory, there’s a worthy cause behind the book: proceeds from sales are being donated to Toronto’s Greek community schools.