Poland

Rating:
Summary: Michener's Poland
Review: I think most of Michener's books are interesting reads. Basically, I like them because I usually don't know the country - or region - described, the people that inhabits it, and its history. Michener is a master of concise and informative description, portraying landscapes and historical facts in such a way that it's easy for the reader to see it in his or her mind. Although by the concept of his books his characters are not that well developed and tend to be kind of ephemerous, the stories and sub-plots are always compelling and even thrilling, if somewhat slow. "The source" is one of my all-time favorites, a book that I read once every few years.

In "Poland", Michener tells the history of one of the most conturbated and affected european countries. At times, Poland did not even exist. Dominated by neighbours Austria, Germany and Russia, the polish people couldn't always say they had a free nation, but they always fought to mantain their identity and their culture.. Michener shows that, and much more.

"Poland" was not my favorite Michener book, but a great read nonetheless.

Grade 8.0/10


Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT BOOK ABOUT THE HISTORY OF POLAND!!!!
Review: James A. Michener has done it again! He has written a great novel which takes in consideration the REAL history of Poland (not the Jewish/American version!!). From Poland's early struggle for survival to the beginnings of the Solidarity movement(the book is from 1983 so it was only the beginning) The 1 point lost in the ratings is due to the lack of precise details about the world war 2 scenario for Polish History. It talks about the concentration camps a lot but totally ignores any facts like Britain's nelgection to help Poland (although there WAS an alliance) or Poland's brave stand at Westerplate(where the war started).

Rating:
Summary: not a mere novel, but an experience
Review: James A. Michener's "Poland" is a historic fiction that spans eight hundred years. The story of three families is recounted from the 1200s to the 1980s. These families include the wealthy noble (Lubonski), poor gentry (Bukowski), and the peasant (Buk). Although it was hard for me to leave some of the characters behind as time moved on, the new ones in the next period turned out to be just as interesting.

It is an interesting experience to read about how these three families developed through history and one gains a larger perspective on how families could progress to get to their present state.

This book is amazing because it reads easy like a novel, but also includes a great deal of history throughout the entire book. The reader becomes acquainted with nearly a thousand years of the colorful history of Poland. The details of the history of Poland are horrific, to the point that you wish they did not happen. I kept reminding myself that these events described, or ones similar to them, did happened. In the 800 years covered in the book, Poland was invaded by nearly all her neighbors. Among the many invaders, there were the Germans from the west, Russians from the east, Swedes from the north, and Austrians from the south, as well as invaders from more distant lands such as the Turks and Tartars. Important battles in Poland's history, such as Grunwald (1410), are described in detail.

If I had known how good this book was, I would have read it much sooner. This book is not a mere novel, but an experience.

Rating:
Summary: not a mere novel, but an experience
Review: James A. Michener's "Poland" is a historic fiction that spans eight hundred years. The story of three families is recounted from the 1200s to the 1980s. These families include the wealthy noble (Lubonski), poor gentry (Bukowski), and the peasant (Buk). Although it was hard for me to leave some of the characters behind as time moved on, the new ones in the next period turned out to be just as interesting.

It is an interesting experience to read about how these three families developed through history and one gains a larger perspective on how families could progress to get to their present state.

This book is amazing because it reads easy like a novel, but also includes a great deal of history throughout the entire book. The reader becomes acquainted with nearly a thousand years of the colorful history of Poland. The details of the history of Poland are horrific, to the point that you wish they did not happen. I kept reminding myself that these events described, or ones similar to them, did happened. In the 800 years covered in the book, Poland was invaded by nearly all her neighbors. Among the many invaders, there were the Germans from the west, Russians from the east, Swedes from the north, and Austrians from the south, as well as invaders from more distant lands such as the Turks and Tartars. Important battles in Poland's history, such as Grunwald (1410), are described in detail.

If I had known how good this book was, I would have read it much sooner. This book is not a mere novel, but an experience.

Rating:
Summary: A fascinating series of snapshots of Polish history.
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Inspiring, Surprising, Monumental !!!
Review: Just a few words to describe the sheer magesty of Michener's retelling of the tale of Poland. Unless you were specifically educated as to Poland's history, I guarantee you will awed by what this peice of land, and its people, have been through. I am of Polish ancestry, and though I knew I knew very little about what my roots were, I had no idea what the sheer depth of my ignorance was. Just the simple fact that at two different times during the past few hundred years, there wasn't even a Poland at all, will probably shock most people.

The way Mr. Michener is able to weave his tapestry of Poland over the course of thousands of years, keeping his reader glued to the pages, is a blessing to us all. I am so happy I was able to discover even an over-view of what my past family had been through. After understanding how the Polish political system worked for so long, I also think I begin to understand where all of those Polish jokes probably came from through the years :)

It is an often-times sad story, of a strong people set upon at all points of the compass, used by Nation's over and over again, yet still they survive today. The families that Michener allows us to follow throughout the novel will at times have you in awe, at other times have you in ire, but unfailingly, they will have your interest.

Throughout the many novels of Michener's I have read, I have yet to be unappreciative of the opportunity to visit with the many Lands and Peoples he brings to life in his books. I eagerly await the next novel I will pick up of his, as yet again, I know I will be transported back in time to visit other people and places, with the sheer brilliance of the undisputed master of the factual/fictional historical novel leading the way.

Rating:
Summary: entertaining education
Review: Living in Poland as a foreigner is a bit hard. All you see is a lot of monouments from the past.. What past is that ? Who is that king ? I bought the book "Poland" thought to myself, now what the b... is this ? Page after page, the best of Polish history, som fiction some not... the whole novel is like a big myth of this great (once from tha Black sea to the Baltic) mysterious country. After reading this book, sure I know alot about the Polish history, but I am also breathtaken by the tragedies of the charators. Breathtaken by the reality of the two fictional main families in the book that is described all the way back from 1200 till 1980 WOW - this is a book of rare quality

Rating:
Summary: Hated it
Review: Michener uses outdated historiography in a overtly nationalistic interpretation of Polish history. In both his chapters on Sweden and the Ottomans there are gross inaccuracies which serve to perpetuate historical misinterpretations. Must be regarded as fiction and not seen as a true "history of Poland.:"

Rating:
Summary: The best book i've ever read
Review: Poland was the most incredible book i've ever read. It captures the spirit and mind of the polish people to perfection , From Castle Gorka , To the Tatars , it chronicles the defeat and rebirth (many times) of the country and its people , i would recommend it to ANYONE and everyone .

Rating:
Summary: Can't Put Down
Review: Read this while touring through southern Poland in 2003. Lent a tremendous a poignant insight to this highly understood country in the turbulent heart of Europe's history. Highly recommend tying this to a visit to Krakow's historical museum (Czartowski - spelling?) as well as the Jewish quarter and Auschwitz.