Also, the maps of the changing polish borders are excellent. Major topics are the warsaw uprising, katyn massacre and siberian deportations including the memoirs of those who survived. James michener poland is by far the best book i have read. The image of poland has once again been impressed on european consciousness. It will take time to read but you will walk away with a wealth of historical information that will last a lifetime. Feb 02, 2012 norman davies is probably the most recognized historian specializing in polish history writing in english. Since poland was a strong country with a lot of land, other countries wanted to take control, and in 1772, russia, prussia presentday germany, and austria took over and divided the land among. See also the list of polish monarchs and list of prime ministers of poland. It is the home of janko buk who is the leader of an. Still, the best book on polish history ive ever read avoid norman davies books. Aug 26, 2010 he treat poland with some sympathy and gives it due to its glorious past. A history of poland palgrave essential histories series.
A piast named mieszko i reigned from about 960 to 992. At the wars end, poland s borders were moved west, pushing the east border to the curzon line. History books recommended polish history and world politics. This book comes in two volumes and its a good book on polands history and. What is the most readable and authoritative book on the.
A 300pages book covering eleven centuries of polish history could be seen as either insulting or impossibly short. James hopkins top 10 polish books books the guardian. Buy a history of poland palgrave essential histories series 2nd edition by prazmowska, anita j. Oct 06, 2017 see the history of poland mapped out from their first unified state through its rise and fall as an empire and its modern inception as a republic. This compassionately written history provides readers with a clear understanding of polands complex history from its origins in the middle. Sign in to see your search history on different browsers and computers.
Anita prazmowska provides a wideranging survey of polands history, from early settlements, through the establishment of the kingdom of poland, to the present day modern state. Poland has made a significant contribution to world culture, not least in the field of literature. An american ambassador reports to the american people by arthur bliss lane, united states ambassador to poland, 19441947 this book is much more than an account for the disgraceful sellout of poland to the soviet union by the west and the brutal imposition of a soviet puppet state. The new poland became 20% smaller by 77,500 square kilometeres 29,900 sq mi. Read the fulltext online edition of the history of poland 2000. History of poland simple english wikipedia, the free. The counts lubonski, the petty nobles bukowksi, and the peasants buk are at some times fiercely united, at others tragically divided. The land that the poles, a west slavic people, came to inhabit was covered by forests with small areas under cultivation where clans grouped themselves into numerous tribes. This is a timeline of polish history, comprising important legal and territorial changes and political events in poland and its predecessor states.
Newbery honor book telling seven folktales of jewish eastern europe. The german new order in poland by polish ministry of information. The written history of poland began in the 10th century. This book is a mustread for anyone interested in finding out more about this country, so often treated horrendously by its neighbours and supposed allies. Anita prazmowska provides a wideranging survey of poland s history, from early settlements, through the establishment of the kingdom of poland, to the present day modern state.
To read about the background to these events, see history of poland. This is the best, most comprehensive book about polands long and rich history. Michener and published in 1983 detailing the times and tribulations of three interconnected polish families the lubonski family, the bukowski family, and the buk family across eight centuries, ending in the thenpresent day 1981. History books recommended polish history and world. The dukes dux were originally the commanders of an armed retinue druzyna with which they. An inseparable part of western civilization, poland s intricate history extends from ancient tribes, catholic baptism, rule of kings, cultural prosperity, expansionism and becoming one of the largest european powers to its collapse. As the guardians new europe series turns to poland, take a look at the polish classic a minor apocalypse, a gloomy and riotous satire of life in a totalitarian state published. Poland got back its independence in 1918, after more than a century of rule by nearby empires, but its borders shifted. An illustrated history book by iwo cyprian pogonowski. The book opens in the fall of 1981, in the small village of bukowo. There is so much in this book that i did not know about plus, it is a very enjoyable read. Republic of poland and peoples republic of poland 19181989 postsoviet poland 1989present poland.
A substantially revised and updated edition of the authors classic 1987 book, the polish way. Polands capital city is warsaw, and other important cities include krakow and gdansk. Historical records referring to the polish state begin with the rule of duke mieszko i. At one time, in the 16th century, the polishlithuanian commonwealth was the second largest state in europe, after russia. In 966 he became a christian and his people followed. Fascinating religious tale of a young novitiate nun in 1960s poland, who just before taking her vows discovers a terrible family secret. The books featured mainly focus on polish history and the polish armed forces. However, if like me, you are relatively new to the history of poland, this book is an excellent place to start. See the history of poland mapped out from their first unified state through its rise and fall as an empire and its modern inception as a republic. It has suffered the dubious distinction of being wiped off the political map in 1795, to be resurrected after the first world war, to suffer seeming annihilation during the second world war, reduction to satellite status of the soviet union after 1945, only to emerge during the. Jul 30, 2017 poland was once among the most powerful nations in europe. This history provides the englishspeaking reader with a scholarly synthesis based mainly on literature in polish and other east european languages. Norman davies provides a key to understanding the modern polish crisis in. The terms poland and poles appear for the first time in medieval chronicles of the late 10th century.
The writer beautifully illustrates the events that take place in polands history. A concise history of poland jerzy lukowski, hubert. I would say that zamoyski book is a better read and gives a general feel for polands history. This study guide consists of approximately 34 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of poland. It is located at a geographic crossroads that links the forested lands of northwestern europe to the sea lanes of the atlantic ocean and the fertile plains of the eurasian frontier. They always come fighting back, against all the odds. But the book it was based on, long suppressed in poland, is notable for its lucidity and lack of sentimentality. Poland history, eastern european history, books barnes. Unfortunately he has not produced a history of poland in world war ii, however, his longer two volume history of poland, gods playground. I would say that zamoyski book is a better read and gives a general feel for poland s history. Mieszko, whose reign commenced sometime before 963 and who continued as the polish monarch until his death in 992, chose to be baptized in the western latin rite, probably on 14 april 966.
The country is a member of the nato since 1999 and joined the european union in 2004. Poland was established as a state under the piast dynasty, which ruled the country between the 10th and 14th centuries. Only now, as it enters the 21st century, is it a stable democracy with a bright economic and political future. Poland also gave the most troops, after the us, the british and the soviets, to ultimately defeat nazi germany. Keep showing your new searches on this page and use them in search suggestions. It covers three families over the course of eight centuries. The german new order in poland by polish ministry of. Two years later, the bradstreet organization popularized the use of credit ratings with publication of the first book of commercial ratings. Poland now has a new constitution which was signed in 1997.
This book covers the history of poland between world war i and world war ii. He treat poland with some sympathy and gives it due to its glorious past. We have created a 52 page book for young children to learn about poland through its yearround festivals and traditions. The history of poland is the history of rather different territories during the past millennium.
At that time poland was ruled by a dynasty called the piasts. Norman davies is probably the most recognized historian specializing in polish history writing in english. I however think it is exactly what i was looking for. With an inspiring tradition of resistance to brutal invaders, from the barbarians to the nazis, and a heritage of pride that burns. The lubonski family is one of the princely houses of poland, its wealthy patriarchs generally ruling over their. Bradstreet company and douglass agency intensified as the u. The period was lively, to say the least, involving what are now almostforgotten conflicts with most of polands neighbors, not to mention much political infighting and the period of the depression. In the preface of his new book, however, zamoyski argues that, due to polands rapid advances since 1989, its history must now be viewed in a. Polishitalian biopic made in english about the humble beginnings of st.
Poitr krupinsky family history books on poland and its. Poland is a land whose boundaries and people have been divided and redivided by conquering nations throughout its long and tumultuous history. At other times there was no separate polish state at all. Monument in glory of the polish army and the red army, but in 1944 soviet troops r. The book gives a brief, but well informed overview, but will give you no more than a taster for your particular event or person.
Michener chronicles eight tumultuous centuries as three polish families live out their destinies. Historia polski represents over 1,000 years of recorded historical events as well as 500,000 years of human activity on polish soil. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. I first visited the country in 1998 and was amazed by the reverence shown to writers and books. A thousandyear history of the poles and their culture 9780781802000. This is the best, most comprehensive book about poland s long and rich history. Poland was once among the most powerful nations in europe. After years of turbulent history, the country has finally found some stability and chance for growth in peace. He even got some scolding for remanding that poland had been called a jewish paradise and why. Poland only sporadically makes the headlines of the anglosaxon world, and its history remains comparatively unknown. Polands remarkable quest for representative government, one of the oldest in modern europe, is presented here against the backdrop of a millennium of history rich. This expanded second edition has been revised throughout in the light of the latest research, and brings the story right up to date. The period was lively, to say the least, involving what are now almostforgotten conflicts with most of poland s neighbors, not to mention much political infighting and the period of the depression. Poitr krupinsky family history books on poland and its history.
Ive always found poland a warm, welcoming, thoughtful place, and it has had an incredible history. Sep 20, 2001 poland only sporadically makes the headlines of the anglosaxon world, and its history remains comparatively unknown. Ive listed 5 books below no particular order and also added some more in the. Bradstreet company was founded in cincinnati, ohio. The writer beautifully illustrates the events that take place in poland s history.