With Fire and Sword

Rating:
Summary: Sto lat, Henryk!
Review: Henryk Sienkiewicz, perhaps the greatest of Polish authors (and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature), is almost unknown in this country. Part of the problem is that, in years past, the translations of his works were extremely stilted, and readers could not get interested in the stories, which are excellent. W.S. Kuniczak, himself a noted Polish-American author (read his "Thousand Hour Day") has translated Sienkiewicz's prose into robust, modern English, and the tales take flight. This work, the first of a trilogy (I've read all three, and they are all excellent), contains stirring battle scenes, lush landscape descriptions (Sienkiewicz never saw the Ukranian steppes about which he wrote so eloquently; he once crossed the Great Plains by train and transported what he saw of our country into his work), valiant heroes, virtuous maidens, and nasty villains. You'll also learn more than a bit of Polish history, and that is a heritage of which I am very proud. No matter what your ethnic origins, however, you will enjoy this book if you like tales of derring-do, hairbreadth escapes, and old-fashioned concepts of honor and nobility.

Rating:
Summary: A great book, but the translation could be better
Review: I've read Kuniczak's translation of the Trilogy and greatly enjoyed it. It was my introduction to Seinkiewicz. However, while reading it, it seemed somehow incoherent, like something was missing. It also seemed impossible that the companions of Zagloba would be so credulous of his boasting.

I went and found a copy of the 1890 translation of the Trilogy by Jeremiah Curtin. What a difference! Though the language is somewhat archaic, the story flows so much better and the character of Zagloba is much more believeable. There is more context to his antics, and his companions are presented as far more skeptical of his boasting, making the story much more realistic.

Kuniczak seems to have omitted and simplified much that appears in the Curtin translation, to the detriment of the story. Many believe the Kuniczak version is superior, and maybe it is more accessible, but I recommend you find the old editon in the basement of the local library and read it first.

Rating:
Summary: A great book, but the translation could be better
Review: I've read Kuniczak's translation of the Trilogy and greatly enjoyed it. It was my introduction to Seinkiewicz. However, while reading it, it seemed somehow incoherent, like something was missing. It also seemed impossible that the companions of Zagloba would be so credulous of his boasting.

I went and found a copy of the 1890 translation of the Trilogy by Jeremiah Curtin. What a difference! Though the language is somewhat archaic, the story flows so much better and the character of Zagloba is much more believeable. There is more context to his antics, and his companions are presented as far more skeptical of his boasting, making the story much more realistic.

Kuniczak seems to have omitted and simplified much that appears in the Curtin translation, to the detriment of the story. Many believe the Kuniczak version is superior, and maybe it is more accessible, but I recommend you find the old editon in the basement of the local library and read it first.

Rating:
Summary: Fire and Sword - slashes and burns the competion!
Review: If you are a fan of historic epics with a whirlwind plot, tons of bloody battle scenes, dueling lovers and fascinating characters then "With Fire and Sword" is ideal for you. This is the first part of the renowned Trilogy written by Nobel Prize winning novelist Henryk Sienkiewicz. The novel is a story of a romance between an officer and a young woman. The story is intertwined with the bloody peasant rebellions and Tatar wars which took place in eastern Poland in the 17th century. Sienkiewicz's main credit is the degree of depth which he bestows upon his characters. The characters are full packages of human emotion, desires, fears hate and paradoxes. Personally I vote for Zagloba as my favorite. The historic detail with which the book is written provides the audience an opportunity to witness the events in the eye of their mind. As he does with the characters, Sienkiewicz goes into great detail in describing the surroundings such as the interiors of the castles or battle scenes. The novel is not gory simply for shock effect, the author portrays the battles of the 17th century with brutal honesty. I've read the original Polish version as well as the English and found that the translated edition is very true to the original. The only flaw with the version available is the lack of illustrations, which would be useful for the novice reader.

Rating:
Summary: With Fire and Sword ¿ Henryk Sienkiewicz
Review: If you are a fan of historic epics with a whirlwind plot, tons of bloody battle scenes, dueling lovers and fascinating characters then "With Fire and Sword" is ideal for you. This is the first part of the renowned Trilogy written by Nobel Prize winning novelist Henryk Sienkiewicz. The novel is a story of a romance between an officer and a young woman. The story is intertwined with the bloody peasant rebellions and Tatar wars which took place in eastern Poland in the 17th century. Sienkiewicz's main credit is the degree of depth which he bestows upon his characters. The characters are full packages of human emotion, desires, fears hate and paradoxes. Personally I vote for Zagloba as my favorite. The historic detail with which the book is written provides the audience an opportunity to witness the events in the eye of their mind. As he does with the characters, Sienkiewicz goes into great detail in describing the surroundings such as the interiors of the castles or battle scenes. The novel is not gory simply for shock effect, the author portrays the battles of the 17th century with brutal honesty. I've read the original Polish version as well as the English and found that the translated edition is very true to the original. The only flaw with the version available is the lack of illustrations, which would be useful for the novice reader.

Rating:
Summary: From the viewpoint of Ukrainian
Review: In my country this book is considered offensive both by Ukrainian majority and Russian minority. Polish people are viewed by Ukrainians as occupants, slavers and religious opressors. Cossacks are Ukrainian national heroes and common people still sing traditional songs about "brave Cossacks" and "foul Poles". The huge statue of Hmielnitsky stands on the central square of Ukraine's capital Kiev. If you have watched movie "Braveheart" about civil war between English and Scots, you will understand the position of Ukrainians - they are brutal and violent and barbaric just like Scots but they enjoy freedom and hate overproud dominant Poles who are like English.
However I like this book - it is interesting as a great Polish mythical tale with great descriptions and memorable characters.
I have an advise to fans of this book: watch the great Polish/Ukrainian movie "With Fire and Sword", which made a lot of noise few years ago and provoked clashes between Polish and Ukrainians nationalists.
Also you should read the "opposite view book" written by Ukrainian writer Nikolai Gogol called "Taras Bulba". "Taras Bulba" is a must-read book in Ukrainian and Russian schools and it tells the story about war between Cossacks and Poles from Ukrainian perspective.

Rating:
Summary: Literature of the highest quality
Review: Sinkiewicz is a genius with a pen. These stories are so complete, so indepth, the character development so real, the plots so intricate - this is writing of superb quality awaiting a miniseries

Rating:
Summary: Greatest book of all time
Review: There is nothing to compare to this book. The translator did an OUTSTANDING job transtating it from Polish to English; don't start reading it unless you have hours of free time (if you thought you didn't, you will!) Once you get past the introduction (which isn't short, & it's a bit confusing) there is no putting the book down - you become a part of the Polish history as it takes place before you're eyes. You discover each characters' soul so intimately he could be an alter ego.

This book is far above any classic or novel you will ever read in scope and writing style. It is an epic tale of love, devotion to duty, and deep patriotism. Neither is it shy on believable heroes that could easily be ranked with Herculese - like the gentle giant who wields his family's sword with one hand, a sword so heavy few can even lift it. Or the fox who outwits even his own comrades from their own possessions.

Buy this book! Tell your friends to read it! You WILL NOT be disapointed!

Rating:
Summary: Ignore the Ukrainian axe grinders, the book is great
Review: This is a fantastic book that comes highly recommended, as you will see by reading the full set of 40+ reviews. There are about 3 Ukrainian-Americans, however, who have gone through every review and panned it out of ethnic axe grinding. A shame. Whatever you view on its historical accuracy (it's a novel folks), the values of true honor the book endorses are universal, and the story is a page turner with well-developed characters. Those people who wrote the reviews were highly motivated to write them by the book's excellence.

And as for the historical perspective, the fact is that the Polish rule of Ukraine, however harsh by Polish magnates such as those that Sienkiewicz describes, was nothing compared with the bloody repression of Ukrainian culture and language by the Czars. And the Soviet Union destroyed virtually all of Ukraine's religious traditions and starved and executed millions of its people under Stalin. For this the people of the Ukraine can thank Hymelnitsky, who by destroying the unity of the Commonwealth opened the door to the tragic rule of Ukraine by Muscovy. In the end, Sienkiewicz's view of history is vindicated.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Novel
Review: This was one of the most sweeping epics I've ever read. It's over 1,000 pages, but it takes little effort to finish the book. I found myself white knuckled and breathless through many of the battle scenes. This was truly a good read for both men and women.