Heart of Europe: The Past in Poland's Present by Norman Davies Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $12.28 You Save: $12.71 (51%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $8.95 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Heart of Europe: The Past in Poland's Present
Book Review: Sometimes a fresh look at some old controversies
Summary: 4 Stars
Davies ruffled feathers of academics especially with his perspective on the fate of Jews in Poland during WW II. Poles often are presumed guilty of "not doing enough" to help Jews escape the Nazis. Davies argues that Poles were also in need of help and not in any position to offer others much help. His argument conflicted with views generally held by Jewish intellectuals and others and he had claimed that their influence had him removed from a proposed teaching position at a university. In any case, the book should be read as a serious contribution to understanding Polish history, and not as a polemical threat to anybody's "ironclad" notions.Book Review: Excellent look from outside for history of Poland
Summary: 5 Stars
I learned more about history of Poland then from any history lessons. Especially I apreciate history of Polish Jews and origins of Polish Nation.Book Review: Historical framework for communist breakdown in Poland
Summary: 5 Stars
This a very well researched, comprehensive piece of work that discusses the salient features of Polish history. It's worth reading just as a fairly short and very readable version of the Polish history that is written by a non-Pole. In addition, the author takes on the difficult task of trying to provide a historical perspective on the frustration of Poles put under the Soviet-imposed communist rule and, more specifically, on the historical roots of the Solidarity freedom movement. The original, inverted structure of the book (the most recent events first) serves these goals well but it may be frustrating for readers accustomed to the traditional chronological approach to history. Nevertheless, I liked this structure. I would recommend this book to any Pole and people interested in the history of Poland and Central Europe. In addition, this is a great reading for people of any nationality interested in the Soviet imperialism and in the historical reasons for its ultimate failure.Book Review: the only true Polish history book you can find in USA
Summary: 5 Stars
The words of recommendation are not necessary if you know the history, not only one part of it. "Winners write history", which comes as nothing new under the sun, to those who lost so many lives fighting for a freedom of other nations. In Vienna (Sobieski), with Napoleon (Sarratoga),in I World War, II World War (check "Forgotten Holocaust", general Maczek army bringing freedom to Holland and Denmark, check 303 in battle for London, Monte Casino and more). Looking even in US own history Kosciuszko, Pulaski (those were the generals from Poland) helping general Washington. This is just sad that so fast people in that part of the World tend to forget and are not willing to learn more about those who were once very close to their hearth. As that author once said "Slaves are just hopelessly romantic". I just loved that book.Book Review: This is not history
Summary: 1 Stars
I am not sure how to describe this book, but clearly its claim to be "history" is really misleading. Whatever it is it is badly organized.
The author seems to be trying to employ a sort of movie flashback system of relating history, but what the educated reader will get is confusion followed by boredom. If you are seeking to learn something of the history of Poland you are not going to get it from this volume. This is one of the worst books I have ever read whatever it is supposed to be.
More Heart of Europe: The Past in Poland's Present reviews:
1 2
1 2