The Circle is a true story of one man's rise from poverty in southern Greece to a high pinnacle of success, which ultimately lead to abject poverty for him and his family. His lasting contribution was of a loving family and their ability to escape the grinding poverty. Coupled with a sweep of history which followed his birth until his death.
About the Author: Peter Diakos was born in the small village of Vahos Laconia Greece on July 15th 1940. His parents were Dimitrios and Triantafili. World War II was the backdrop of his first five years of life. All he knew in those first years was occupation by the conquerors followed by starvation and fear for the common people. When the war ended Peter and his family were subjected to a violent civil war which continued the fear and starvation. Through it all his only good memories were the songs of the freedom fighters, and their heroic deeds against the Germans and Italian occupiers. He also felt much love from his grandparents. Fortunately for him, his mother was an American citizen by birth and she could immigrate to the United States. She did so and Peter was able to escape the ongoing Civil War. They crossed the mighty Atlantic Ocean and landed in New York City on March 6th 1947. Their final destination was 6 Middle Street, Saco, Maine. While his mom secured employment in the textile industry, Peter began his formal education in the Saco school system. He graduated from Thornton Academy in 1959. Peter tried higher education at Maine Maritime Academy but changed to Ricker College majoring in history and government. He graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Peter then moved to New York City and found work with the Graybar Electric Company where he stayed for 5 years then transferred to the Newark New Jersey branch and worked there for 2 years. Then he transferred to Hamden Connecticut for another 2 years, and transferred to the branch in Boston Massachusetts where he spent the balance of his career. After 30 years, he retired from Graybar Electric. While in Boston he also dabbled in real estate owning various rental properties. Upon retirement Peter traveled to Clearwater Florida to help his mother who was aging and needed assistance. He also bought a condominium in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, and traveled from Florida to Maine His mother's health deteriorated so he started spending more and more time in Florida to assist his mother. He met his future wife Nancy in Clearwater Florida Together they decided to buy a home in Trinity Florida that was big enough to have his mother live with them. Rose, his mother, passed away December 10th 2017. She was 97 years old. Peter and Nancy continue to live in Florida except for the summer months when they travel to Maine.