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Poland

By: Patrice M. Dabrowski
Narrated by: Elizabeth Wiley
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Summary

Since its beginnings, Poland has been a moving target, geographically as well as demographically, and the very definition of who is a Pole has been in flux. In the late medieval and early modern periods, the country grew to be the largest in continental Europe, only to be later wiped off the map for more than a century. Yet even under these constraints, Poles persisted in their desire to wrest from their oppressors a modicum of national dignity and, ultimately, managed to achieve much more than that.

Poland is a sweeping account designed to amplify major figures, moments, milestones, and turning points in Polish history. These include important battles and illustrious individuals, alliances forged by marriages and choices of religious denomination, and meditations on the likes of the Polish battle slogan "for our freedom and yours" that resounded during the Polish fight for independence.

The experience of oppression helped Poles to endure and surmount various challenges in the twentieth century, and Poland's demonstration of strength was a model for other peoples seeking to extract themselves from foreign yoke. Patrice Dabrowski's work situates Poland and the Poles within a broader European framework that locates this multiethnic and multidenominational region squarely between East and West.

©2014, 2016 Northern Illinois University Press (P)2022 Tantor
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History
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An engaging historical account of Poland

This was such a good listen, as a 1st generation Pole with an Irish mother and Polish father learning about Poland as a child in Saturday school in the 80s in the U.K. I found it so difficult to understand what was taught to me as I didn’t have the language, but certain names and battles were engrained into my brain Jadwiga, Sobiecki, Piast, etc etc, having this text as audio has been enlightening and so easy to listen to- great narration btw! I can’t thank you enough Patrice for putting this together, it makes me proud to be Polish.

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very much worth a read.

The authors passion for his work jumps out at the reader. Sometimes it leads to a time line which feels a little disjointed. It avoids using modern political ideals to judge the past. It is not what might be called balanced as Poland is depicted as almost without flaw. Though mentioned little deep credence is given to other countries influences.
However it still stands as fact not fiction or propaganda.
So little work has been published in English about Poland it is very much worth reading.
The narrator sometimes sounds as if she addressing 10 year olds by reading them a story. It detracts from the content.

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Poles should read….

Excellent read…one of the best in terms of overall history of the country. However, have to say that I would imagine, as in my case, that it would only be of interest for primarily people of Polish origin or relatives of Poles. Thoroughly enjoyed it though!

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1 person found this helpful