Poland

by James A. Michener

Book Overview

Like the heroic land that is its subject, James Michener's POLAND teems with vivid events and unforgettble characters. In the sweeping span of eight tumultuous centuries, three Polish families live out their destinies and the drama of a nation--in the grand tradition of a great James Michener saga."POLAND is a monumental effort, a magnificent guide to a better understanding of the country's tribulations."CHICAGO TRIBUNE "From the Paperback edition."...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0394531892
• ISBN13: 9780394531892
• Release Date: August 1983
• Publisher: Random House (NY)
• Length: 556 Pages
• Weight: 1.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.8" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Massively entertaining

I haven't read much historical fiction up to now, but 'Poland' is definitely the best so far. It's a large work with each chapter typically covering several years at selected points in Polish history between the 13th and 20th centuries. Michener's ability to render convincing scenes (and to a somewhat lesser extent, characters) is astonishing. It's this kind of novel that makes many an aspiring author wave the white flag and give up any pretensions he/she has of being a master storyteller. Nothing wrong with being second class, but you know a master when you read this. Some previous reviews complain about historical inaccuracies in the novel and then pan it with a low rating. Well that is silly because Michener never claimed that 'Poland' is non-fictional. Though the novel is set against a backdrop of actual events in Poland's history and though we encounter many real historical figures (with some or many perhaps portrayed inaccurately), most of the plot and characters are *fictional*. Michener makes this clear right up front in the Explanation section preceding the first chapter. The three families (Lubonski, Bukowski, Buk) that supply the major players throughout the novel are entirely fictional; hence, so are all of their actions. Some of these actions are portrayed in the novel as having pivotal impacts on major historical events (e.g. Wiktor Bukowski's heroic charge in the Battle of Zamosc, 1920). Though these actions and consequences are not historically accurate, Michener never claimed they would be and hence his right to artistic license should be respected. The chapter on the Nazi occupation is particularly well-rendered and chilling. The descriptions of daily life in the Majdanek concentration camp, to my knowledge, do generally stack up with eyewitness accounts from survivors. It's incomprehensible to me that such monstrosities could have been performed on such a scale, so recently. Like most such novels, 'Poland' focuses on major players and key events of political significance (e.g. wars, power struggles, etc). In doing so, I think we miss a bit of how the common people dealt with these events. By common people I mean the peasants, merchants, civilians, nobility et al who did not actually take part in the events (unlike the Lubonskis, Bukowskis, and Buks). In the end, however, 'Poland' is massively entertaining.

Michener's Poland

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

A Rousing read and remarkable historically accurate.

I read this book after I had just finsihed a university course on the history of Poland. I was shocked at how historically accurate this work was. Michener definetly did his homework on this one. Even better it is extremely well-written. Despite the fact that I knew the history and therefore the outcomes of many of the events he was describing the detail which he gives to his character's lives as you follow a family history through time is riveting. I could barely put it down. If you can only read one of his books I highly recommend Poland.

A good book which helps one understand Europe

I read this book because my wife is Polish and I wanted to share with my children their herritage. The book gave me insight into Europe and some of its longstanding conflicts. The Holocoust of World War II is just one of a string of holocousts. I was amazed at Sweden's behavior during its conquest and slaughter of Poland. It helped me to understand what happened in Kosovo. Michener's mix of history and fiction was at times confusing. His fictional characters seemed so real when compared to historical figures. I would recommend a continuous review of the list of who is real and who is not given at the front of the book. Overall it was a good book which gives a flavor of Poland and Europe

Inspiring, Surprising, Monumental !!!

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.