History of poland book

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. A very interesting book that offers a comprehensive picture of the history of poland from the middle ages to a few years ago. 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. The writer beautifully illustrates the events that take place in poland s history.

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. 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. 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. Poland s history as a state began near the middle of the 10th century. 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. A book that would be more detailed about the recent history however cover the entirety of it. Halecki begins with the eight hundred years of poland s independent history from 963 to 1914. Polishitalian biopic made in english about the humble beginnings of st. Sep 20, 2001 poland only sporadically makes the headlines of the anglosaxon world, and its history remains comparatively unknown. Also, the maps of the changing polish borders are excellent. Books about polish history and world politics our book recommendations the doomed soldiers book recommendations. 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 map below traces the history of polands borders from 1635 right through to the.

Legend attributes the citys founding to krakus, the mythical ruler who vanquished the wawel dragon. Newbery honor book telling seven folktales of jewish eastern europe. 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. 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. 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. This is the best, most comprehensive book about polands long and rich history.

Poland is a monumental effort, a magnificent guide to a better understanding of the countrys tribulations. 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. There is so much in this book that i did not know about plus, it is a very enjoyable read. But the book it was based on, long suppressed in poland, is notable for its lucidity and lack of sentimentality. Poland has not been one of europes luckiest countries. In 1224 it was formally made a town when it was granted certain rights.

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. History books recommended polish history and world. Can you recommend me any book about polish historyin polish, that would be worth reading outside of schooluniversity. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of poland by james a. It will take time to read but you will walk away with a wealth of historical information that will last a lifetime. 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. Poland joins the european union, along with nine other candidate countries. A concise history of poland jerzy lukowski, hubert zawadzki. 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. The families themselves come very much alive, and through them, poland itself.

The book gives a brief, but well informed overview, but will give you no more than a taster for your particular event or person. Polands history as a state began near the middle of the 10th century. This compassionately written history provides readers with a clear understanding of polands complex history from its origins. This is the best, most comprehensive book about poland s long and rich history. Poland was once among the most powerful nations in europe. Only now, as it enters the 21st century, is it a stable democracy with a bright economic and political future. 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. The work covers the entire range of polish history. Fascinating religious tale of a young novitiate nun in 1960s poland, who just before taking her vows discovers a terrible family secret.

Buy a cheap copy of a concise history of poland book by jerzy lukowski. Polands territorial changes 1635present life, death. Now bounded by seven nations, poland has waxed and waned over the centuries, buffeted by the forces of regional history. Poland history john iii sobieski, 16741696 fiction on the field of glory. James michener poland is by far the best book i have read. It is difficult to foresee what the european future be like for poland. Poland is a 1983 historical fiction novel by james michener. This period marked its liberation from the soviet union. It covers three families over the course of eight centuries. The books featured mainly focus on polish history and the polish armed forces.

For more details about the project, including a history of poland library, view the poland informational brochure. However, if like me, you are relatively new to the history of poland, this book is an excellent place to start. Then in 8 the teutonic knights an order of german knights took over gdansk. An historical novel of the time of king john sobieski boston. Over the past thousand years the country has defended its freedom and sovereignty from foreign aggressions on numerous occasions. Professor oscar haleckis a history of poland became the classic book on the subject because of its brilliant synthesis and interpretation of polish history. 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. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. Legend attributes the citys founding to krakus, the mythical ruler who vanquished the wawel. During the 18th century, internal disorders weakened the nation, and in a series of agreements between 1772 and 1795, russia, prussia, and austria. 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 plot, however, takes place throughout the history of poland and contains many historic people.

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. History books recommended polish history and world politics. Its gone from being the largest country in europe to being wiped off the map, not once but several times. Gods playground is currently being used by many schools in poland as the textbook of polish history. Europe poland the world factbook central intelligence.

Due to countrys geopolitical location between the east and the west, polish history is marked with wars and uprisings. 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. The terms poland and poles appear for the first time in medieval chronicles of the late 10th century. As i suspected before reading, sheer luck of geography played a big part in the success and failure of the state. The book is a good reflection of how poles see their history. It was writen in english, and was translated into polish to be used in schools.

A history of poland palgrave essential histories series. Major topics are the warsaw uprising, katyn massacre and siberian deportations including the memoirs of those who survived. 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. A concise history of poland jerzy lukowski, hubert. 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.

The dukes dux were originally the commanders of an armed retinue. Apr 05, 2014 open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. The second edition of this guide to poland has been updated to take account of the years from 19892005. Polands capital city is warsaw, and other important cities include krakow and gdansk. Poland only sporadically makes the headlines of the anglosaxon world, and its history remains comparatively unknown.

Sep 08, 2015 poland is a monumental effort, a magnificent guide to a better understanding of the countrys tribulations. The writer beautifully illustrates the events that take place in polands history. The oxford history of polandlithuania hardcover robert i. 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. Poland history, eastern european history, books barnes. Historia polski represents over 1,000 years of recorded historical events as well as 500,000 years of human activity on polish soil.

Poland library was constructed in a traditional, timeless look, reflecting the classical greek revival architecture of the western reserve. Concise history of poland by jerzy lukowski, cambridge univ press edition, in undetermined 2nd ed. Poland is a land whose boundaries and people have been divided and redivided by conquering nations throughout its long and tumultuous history. It is very thorough, well balanced, and focuses on the mickiewicz point of view. By the mid16th century, the polishlithuanian commonwealth ruled a vast tract of land in central and eastern europe.

Buy a history of poland palgrave essential histories series 2nd edition by prazmowska, anita j. 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. The three families buk, bukowski and lubonski are fictional as are the other characters in the book. 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. 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.