Early history one of the oldest cities in poland, archaeological evidence proves that there were settlements in the krakow area as early as the palaeolithic period, with stone tools found on wawel hill dating back way, way back to 50,000 bc. Now bounded by seven nations, poland has waxed and waned over the centuries, buffeted by the forces of regional history. This period marked its liberation from the soviet union, the birth of polands third republic and, recently, its accession to the european union in 2004. For 300 years the greatest power in eastern europe was the union between the kingdom of poland and the grand duchy of lithuania, one of the longestlasting political unions in european history. The books featured mainly focus on polish history and the polish armed forces. I have lived here for 4 years and feel ashamed for not knowing about a lot things that are coming up in the politics, media etc. Whatever europe may be, poland has always played and often suffered a visible part in its history and deserves to participate on this common project. By the mid16th century, the polishlithuanian commonwealth ruled a vast tract of land in central and eastern europe. 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. The terms poland and poles appear for the first time in medieval chronicles of the late 10th century. Polands history as a state began near the middle of the 10th century. There is so much in this book that i did not know about plus, it is a very enjoyable read. Poland only sporadically makes the headlines of the anglosaxon world, and its history remains comparatively unknown.
Can you recommend me any book about polish historyin polish, that would be worth reading outside of schooluniversity. The book provides quite a lot of information, for a general history, but what interested me the most was the overall lessons and patterns in polands history. Legend attributes the citys founding to krakus, the mythical ruler who vanquished the wawel dragon. This is the best, most comprehensive book about polands long and rich history. During the 18th century, internal disorders weakened the nation, and in a series of agreements between 1772 and 1795, russia, prussia, and austria. Fascinating religious tale of a young novitiate nun in 1960s poland, who just before taking her vows discovers a terrible family secret. Polishitalian biopic made in english about the humble beginnings of st.
A concise history of poland jerzy lukowski, hubert. Then in 8 the teutonic knights an order of german knights took over gdansk. For more details about the project, including a history of poland library, view the poland informational brochure. Sep 20, 2001 poland only sporadically makes the headlines of the anglosaxon world, and its history remains comparatively unknown. Poland library was constructed in a traditional, timeless look, reflecting the classical greek revival architecture of the western reserve.
The book, written in an episodic format, tells the story of three families and the many generations of each family throughout the history of poland. Poland joins the european union, along with nine other candidate countries. It must be recalled that the polish government in exile, marshaled the third or fourth largest military force of the allies during world war ii, providing over 250,000 soldiers to the allied cause in the west. A book that would be more detailed about the recent history however cover the entirety of it. It is very thorough, well balanced, and focuses on the mickiewicz point of view. Legend attributes the citys founding to krakus, the mythical ruler who vanquished the wawel. Over the past thousand years the country has defended its freedom and sovereignty from foreign aggressions on numerous occasions. It must be recalled that the polish government in exile, marshaled the third or fourth largest military force of the allies during world war ii, providing over 250,000 soldiers to the allied cause in the west initially behind france. Europe poland the world factbook central intelligence.
As i suspected before reading, sheer luck of geography played a big part in the success and failure of the state. Poland is a 1983 historical fiction novel by james michener. A history of poland palgrave essential histories series. Only now, as it enters the 21st century, is it a stable democracy with a bright economic and political future. Covering approximately a thousand years of a nations history in some 450 pages inevitably means there is insufficient space to cover the key events in great depth, but that will suit any reader who, like myself, is looking for a beginners guide to the subject. Poland history, eastern european history, books barnes. Poland was once among the most powerful nations in europe.
Apr 05, 2014 open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. Major topics are the warsaw uprising, katyn massacre and siberian deportations including the memoirs of those who survived. Due to countrys geopolitical location between the east and the west, polish history is marked with wars and uprisings. It is difficult to foresee what the european future be like for poland. The book gives a brief, but well informed overview, but will give you no more than a taster for your particular event or person. The book is a good reflection of how poles see their history. Poland has not been one of europes luckiest countries. The history of eastern european is dominated by the story of the rise of the russian empire, yet russia only emerged as a major power after 1700. James michener poland is by far the best book i have read. 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.
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. The writer beautifully illustrates the events that take place in polands history. Jan 01, 2009 a very interesting book that offers a comprehensive picture of the history of poland from the middle ages to a few years ago. In 1224 it was formally made a town when it was granted certain rights. Sep 08, 2015 poland is a monumental effort, a magnificent guide to a better understanding of the countrys tribulations.
The three families buk, bukowski and lubonski are fictional as are the other characters in the book. 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. This compassionately written history provides readers with a clear understanding of polands complex history from its origins. It covers three families over the course of eight centuries. The dukes dux were originally the commanders of an armed retinue. Buy a history of poland palgrave essential histories series 2nd edition by prazmowska, anita j. The second edition of this guide to poland has been updated to take account of the years from 19892005. Also, the maps of the changing polish borders are excellent. It will take time to read but you will walk away with a wealth of historical information that will last a lifetime. However, if like me, you are relatively new to the history of poland, this book is an excellent place to start. Newbery honor book telling seven folktales of jewish eastern europe. Gods playground is currently being used by many schools in poland as the textbook of polish history. Poland is a monumental effort, a magnificent guide to a better understanding of the countrys tribulations.
Books about polish history and world politics our book recommendations the doomed soldiers book recommendations. Historia polski represents over 1,000 years of recorded historical events as well as 500,000 years of human activity on polish soil. Halecki begins with the eight hundred years of poland s independent history from 963 to 1914. Professor oscar haleckis a history of poland became the classic book on the subject because of its brilliant synthesis and interpretation of polish history. Its gone from being the largest country in europe to being wiped off the map, not once but several times. The families themselves come very much alive, and through them, poland itself. I particularly like the fact that is showing the great differences that this history had compered with the rest of europe, with the resistance to centralized power giving the tone to the beginning and then greatly influence the development. Mar 29, 2009 in the preface of his new book, however, zamoyski argues that, due to poland s rapid advances since 1989, its history must now be viewed in a more positive light.
Poland is a land whose boundaries and people have been divided and redivided by conquering nations throughout its long and tumultuous history. Poland history john iii sobieski, 16741696 fiction on the field of glory. I particularly like the fact that is showing the great differences that this history had compered with the rest of europe, with the resistance to centralized power giving the tone to the beginning and then greatly influence the development of the polish state, in any form. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Polands capital city is warsaw, and other important cities include krakow and gdansk. Buy a cheap copy of a concise history of poland book by jerzy lukowski. History books recommended polish history and world politics. At first, it was a small trading settlement but it soon grew. It was writen in english, and was translated into polish to be used in schools. History books recommended polish history and world. This period marked its liberation from the soviet union, the birth of poland s third republic and, recently, its accession to the european union in 2004. This is the best, most comprehensive book about poland s long and rich history.
This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of poland by james a. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. 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. Poland 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. Concise history of poland by jerzy lukowski, cambridge univ press edition, in undetermined 2nd ed.
But the book it was based on, long suppressed in poland, is notable for its lucidity and lack of sentimentality. The work covers the entire range of polish history. The plot, however, takes place throughout the history of poland and contains many historic people. The map below traces the history of polands borders from 1635 right through to the. An historical novel of the time of king john sobieski boston. 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 more positive light. Poland and lithuania have been linked together in this history because for 400 years from the end of the 14th century to the end of the 18th they were united at first by a personal union under the king, and then by a full political union. The black book of poland is so named because of the black record of german barbarism from the close of the war in poland, which ended october 6, 1939, until the end of june, 1941, thus covering twentytwo months, as shown in documents contained in this volume.
Poland s history as a state began near the middle of the 10th century. The oxford history of polandlithuania hardcover robert i. John fisher college offers a critical account of the historical developments of the last century in poland, with an emphasis on the last several decades. This period marked its liberation from the soviet union. The writer beautifully illustrates the events that take place in poland s history. A concise history of poland jerzy lukowski, hubert zawadzki. A very interesting book that offers a comprehensive picture of the history of poland from the middle ages to a few years ago. Polands territorial changes 1635present life, death.
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