History of poland book

Due to countrys geopolitical location between the east and the west, polish history is marked with wars and uprisings. 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. Sep 20, 2001 poland only sporadically makes the headlines of the anglosaxon world, and its history remains comparatively unknown. 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. Poland s history as a state began near the middle of the 10th century. Concise history of poland by jerzy lukowski, cambridge univ press edition, in undetermined 2nd ed. Europe poland the world factbook central intelligence. Only now, as it enters the 21st century, is it a stable democracy with a bright economic and political future. A concise history of poland jerzy lukowski, hubert. Books about polish history and world politics our book recommendations the doomed soldiers book recommendations.

Its gone from being the largest country in europe to being wiped off the map, not once but several times. Professor oscar haleckis a history of poland became the classic book on the subject because of its brilliant synthesis and interpretation of polish history. 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. 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. The writer beautifully illustrates the events that take place in poland s history. The writer beautifully illustrates the events that take place in polands history. Over the past thousand years the country has defended its freedom and sovereignty from foreign aggressions on numerous occasions.

At first, it was a small trading settlement but it soon grew. In 1224 it was formally made a town when it was granted certain rights. Fascinating religious tale of a young novitiate nun in 1960s poland, who just before taking her vows discovers a terrible family secret. The second edition of this guide to poland has been updated to take account of the years from 19892005. 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. Apr 05, 2014 open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. 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. Polands capital city is warsaw, and other important cities include krakow and gdansk. Historia polski represents over 1,000 years of recorded historical events as well as 500,000 years of human activity on polish soil.

A history of poland palgrave essential histories series. A book that would be more detailed about the recent history however cover the entirety of it. Legend attributes the citys founding to krakus, the mythical ruler who vanquished the wawel. History books recommended polish history and world politics. The oxford history of polandlithuania hardcover robert i. 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. James michener poland is by far the best book i have read. It covers three families over the course of eight centuries. Then in 8 the teutonic knights an order of german knights took over gdansk. The plot, however, takes place throughout the history of poland and contains many historic people. History books recommended polish history and world. The work covers the entire range of polish history. The book is a good reflection of how poles see their history. 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.

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. This is the best, most comprehensive book about polands long and rich history. 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. However, if like me, you are relatively new to the history of poland, this book is an excellent place to start. But the book it was based on, long suppressed in poland, is notable for its lucidity and lack of sentimentality. Major topics are the warsaw uprising, katyn massacre and siberian deportations including the memoirs of those who survived. Polishitalian biopic made in english about the humble beginnings of st.

The dukes dux were originally the commanders of an armed retinue. 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 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 has not been one of europes luckiest countries. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of poland by james a. As i suspected before reading, sheer luck of geography played a big part in the success and failure of the state. It was writen in english, and was translated into polish to be used in schools. Poland only sporadically makes the headlines of the anglosaxon world, and its history remains comparatively unknown.

Now bounded by seven nations, poland has waxed and waned over the centuries, buffeted by the forces of regional history. It is difficult to foresee what the european future be like for poland. The families themselves come very much alive, and through them, poland itself. Polands territorial changes 1635present life, death. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. 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. 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 books featured mainly focus on polish history and the polish armed forces. Can you recommend me any book about polish historyin polish, that would be worth reading outside of schooluniversity. The three families buk, bukowski and lubonski are fictional as are the other characters in the book. Newbery honor book telling seven folktales of jewish eastern europe. This is the best, most comprehensive book about poland s long and rich history.

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. Poland history, eastern european history, books barnes. During the 18th century, internal disorders weakened the nation, and in a series of agreements between 1772 and 1795, russia, prussia, and austria. Polands history as a state began near the middle of the 10th century. Poland is a land whose boundaries and people have been divided and redivided by conquering nations throughout its long and tumultuous history.

This compassionately written history provides readers with a clear understanding of polands complex history from its origins. Buy a history of poland palgrave essential histories series 2nd edition by prazmowska, anita j. The map below traces the history of polands borders from 1635 right through to the. It will take time to read but you will walk away with a wealth of historical information that will last a lifetime. Poland history john iii sobieski, 16741696 fiction on the field of glory. 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. A concise history of poland jerzy lukowski, hubert zawadzki. Poland library was constructed in a traditional, timeless look, reflecting the classical greek revival architecture of the western reserve. 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. 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 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. An historical novel of the time of king john sobieski boston.

For more details about the project, including a history of poland library, view the poland informational brochure. Also, the maps of the changing polish borders are excellent. 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. The terms poland and poles appear for the first time in medieval chronicles of the late 10th century. Gods playground is currently being used by many schools in poland as the textbook of polish history. Poland joins the european union, along with nine other candidate countries. This period marked its liberation from the soviet union. It is very thorough, well balanced, and focuses on the mickiewicz point of view. 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.

Sep 08, 2015 poland is a monumental effort, a magnificent guide to a better understanding of the countrys tribulations. 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 polands third republic and, recently, its accession to the european union in 2004. 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. Poland is a monumental effort, a magnificent guide to a better understanding of the countrys tribulations. Legend attributes the citys founding to krakus, the mythical ruler who vanquished the wawel dragon. A very interesting book that offers a comprehensive picture of the history of poland from the middle ages to a few years ago. 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 a 1983 historical fiction novel by james michener. 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 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 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. Halecki begins with the eight hundred years of poland s independent history from 963 to 1914.