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.
Rating:
Summary: A simply good novel
Review: The land of Poland, sometimes the strife in which the inhabitants experinced were more difficult even than for English speakers to pronounce Polish words. A land with a rich history so vividly portrayed, each minor detail finds a home here in Michener's masterwork. As always Michener shows intimately the history of the nation, and what nation with a richer history than Poland. Read it!
Rating:
Summary: All Polish Americans should read this
Review: The most beautiful account of Polish life I've ever read. It gives us exactly what Poland is, and incredibly, what it means. It means that my day-dreams and longing for things I can't explain are more valid then I thought. I'd like to thank Mr. Michener, wherever he is, for telling me about my ancestors, and how they lived differently from how I do. How they lived and who they were never quite caught my consciousness until I read this book, parts of it made me cry, parts made me think of my grandparents, and best of all, parts made me think about myself. Michener, I am endebted.
Rating:
Summary: Truly great historical novel
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Very Pleased
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Gripping Account of a fascinating place
Review: This book was a sheer delight to read. I have never read a book yet by Michener that I haven't liked! The chapter "The Terror" was a harrowing account of Nazi atrocities, and also recounts one mans terror in the concentration camps. I would recomend it to anyone
Rating:
Summary: A remarkable account of a remarkable nation
Review: This epic is a phenomenal account of a remarkable nation and a remarkable people.
It documents the resilience of the Polish people, in the face of experiencing their nation being crushed by invaders and more powerful neighbors, so many times. It begins in 1981, at the time that Poland lay under the heel of Communist tyranny, as a puppet of that Evil Empire, the Soviet Union, introducing us to the brave Polish farmers leader, Janko Buk, who out of love of his people, prepares to take on the might of the cruel Marxist-Leninist monolith. We are then taken back to AD 1204, to discover how Poland bravely stood against the ravages of the savage Mongol and Tartar hordes sweeping through Europe from the East. Michener then documents the repeated rape of Poland through history, by the Germans from the West and the Swedes from the North, as well as the brave role played by the Polish in beating back the Islamic Ottoman invasion of Europe from the south. (Is Europe once more faced by an Islamic invasion in the 21st century?). Through the various partitions of that country, whereby Austria, Prussia/Germany and Russia, divided that nation amongst themselves, like a cake. Finally in the 20th Century, Poland again re-emerged free in 1918, but only for a short while, and was to experience being at the receiving end of the two cruelest and most vicious movements in history, Communism and Nazism (may both be erased forever!) Through this sage we get to know many amazing men and women, representing a most resilient nation.
Rating:
Summary: James Michener's best novel
Review: This is one of James Michener's best novels. Thoroughly enjoyable and is a source of pride for all Polish people.
Rating:
Summary: HISTORY OF POLAND
Review: This time James Michener took us to Poland. Poland is a country, which happened to be right in between the East and the West of Europe. Every conflict in Europe left its heavy foot in Poland killing people and destroying the country. Poles suffered more than any other nation in the world, short of the Jews. I was in Poland for a few times. It is amazing how they were able to rebuild Warsaw after the W.W.II. Warsaw did not exist after the war, only three percent of the city remained standing and look at it now. Good book, interesting history.
Rating:
Summary: A "Top-5" Michener book
Review: Though not of Polish ancestry, I chose to read this book because I marvel at James Michener books, in general. I found it to be an excellent read, don't let my 4 star rating fool you. In fact, it will compete for the coveted "Goochie" award for best read book of the year. It was not as interesting a plot as Centennial or Chesapeake, but it definitely exposes the reader to some valuable history that is not normally seen in mainstream fiction. Worth the time to read it.
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