Poland by James A. Michener Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Poland
Book Review: The history of Poland in a nutshell
Summary: 5 Stars
Poland is a vividly told series of stories revolving around two families, one peasant and the other noble, over the last 1000 years. While that seems like an overwhelming task, Michener handles it competently, and the [hi]stories are exciting, colorful, and filled with intimate details about the characters they portray.
I had no great love for Poland (the country) before I started the book, but having read it, I feel like I have a new appreciation for the people, the places, and an amazingly rich but sad history.
Someday, someone is going to summarize Michener's novels by saying, "If only he'd written 20 years later! He just missed the big change!" This is especially true of some books like Poland, which ends during Communist rule, and The Source, which tells the story of Israel up to 1965. The point, though, is that despite recent changes, the books demonstrate so much turmoil over the past 1000 years (in the case of Poland) or more, that really, what's the difference between 1980s Communism and 1990s Capitalism?
Lastly, the book is shorter than other Michener novels, making it a good one to start with.
Book Review: This novel is an excellent introduction to Poland's history.
Summary: 5 Stars
Excellent! While reading <Poland> I travelled though the vast, beautiful, fertile land of Poland. I was a magnate(noble) in the 17, 18th century in all the luxury. Beside me, my servants serving the best food imaginable, the clothes!, the music!, the women!, etc. Also I was a poor gentry, and also a peasant.This is a great novel to understand the lives of people in Europe long ago until recent times. But this book tells us more about what a "country" means to the people living in it. Again, an excellent book. The scale is enormous, taking us back to the times when the Mongolians were trampling ocer eastern Europe...
Check it out!
Book Review: Truly great historical novel
Summary: 5 Stars
There's only one thing that could describe the reviews by Hecht. Hate. And one remarkably similar to hate propagated by the Nazis. James Michener's book proved to be well researched and objective. The novel has an added credibility of being written by an American author, one with no apparent agenda to vilify or glorify any one group of people. This is further reinforced by his portrayal of the scandalous behavior of Polish magnates that resulted in Poland being torn apart by the neighboring powers. For anyone to think that Michener somehow favored Polish view of history is simply ridiculous. His reliance on facts, however, is commendable. "Poland" is an incredibly interesting, educating and enjoyable read, one not deserving the hateful scrutiny of the reviewer mentioned previously. It is such malignity that drives the terrible events with which human history is scared.Book Review: Very Pleased
Summary: 5 Stars
This book brings together thousands of years of history in a way that only the late James A. Michener was able. It exists now as what I feel to be the most unbiased history (albeit part fiction) of the country at the heart of Europe.Far from taking away from its status as a serious work, the interjected fictional plots add to the authenticity of the novel - they convey the evolution of the lifestyle, manners and culture of Poland in a way that a traditional history could not.
For centuries, Poland stood as Christendom's sole defence against the unending onslaughts of the east - Turks, Tatars, Mongols, Cossacks and (more recently) communists. I applaud Mr. Michener for his accomplished work, and anyone who partakes of the wisdom it offers about an often under-appreciated land.
Book Review: Very disappointing
Summary: 2 Stars
Poland has such a rich history, it's hard to believe that this is the best that Michener could do. The problem is he tries to cover too much ground; there's breadth but no depth. When he does get to the interesting parts (each of which could rightfully be a book in themselves) they're glossed over. "Poland" is ponderous, dull, and a huge disappointment. A conventional history by, say, Norman Davies, would be more entertaining and more informative.
Not recommended