Poland by James A. Michener Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Poland
Book Review: A Rousing read and remarkable historically accurate.
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this book after I had just finsihed a university course on the history of Poland. I was shocked at how historically accurate this work was. Michener definetly did his homework on this one. Even better it is extremely well-written. Despite the fact that I knew the history and therefore the outcomes of many of the events he was describing the detail which he gives to his character's lives as you follow a family history through time is riveting. I could barely put it down. If you can only read one of his books I highly recommend Poland.Book Review: A Wide Scope on History
Summary: 5 Stars
This provides in a loose novel format much of the history of the Polish nation. It's a riveting read.
Well worth it!
Another book that focuses on just one important era with a fascinating cast is PUSH NOT THE RIVER, based on the diary of a real countess in the 1790s. It's kind of a Gone with the Wind set in Poland!
Book Review: A fascinating series of snapshots of Polish history.
Summary: 5 Stars
James Michener has produced a fascinating series of historical snapshots on Polish History since the twelth century. I have recently visited Hungary, Czech Replublic and Slovakia, and now feel compelled to visit Poland. The last three chapters dealing with that portion of Poland under Austrian-Hungarian rule, the end of World War l and Poland under the Nazis are especially well written. I am sure that there are some historical inaccuracies, but the idea of tracing Polish history through the vicissitudes of two important families is very clever.Book Review: A good book but not a great book
Summary: 4 Stars
I compare this book to Noah Gordon's 'The Physician', which I found fantastic. I felt Michener's book just wasn't as good. Michener's characters just weren't that real. And his elaborate detailed descriptions of food and clothing annoyed me. What I liked best were his descriptions of the battles. Sobieski and the defeat of the Turks at Vienna captivated me. But even that somehow came across as a legend rather than as realistic history. The chapter on love and arranged marriages was very interesting. I guess my main criticism is that this book came across like the movie 'Braveheart'; which I wished were closer the the Britannica version of the Scottish hero. But I did feel that I learned a great deal from reading Michener's book - it did put Poland on the map for me.Book Review: A good book which helps one understand Europe
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this book because my wife is Polish and I wanted to share with my children their herritage. The book gave me insight into Europe and some of its longstanding conflicts. The Holocoust of World War II is just one of a string of holocousts. I was amazed at Sweden's behavior during its conquest and slaughter of Poland. It helped me to understand what happened in Kosovo. Michener's mix of history and fiction was at times confusing. His fictional characters seemed so real when compared to historical figures. I would recommend a continuous review of the list of who is real and who is not given at the front of the book. Overall it was a good book which gives a flavor of Poland and Europe