History of Poland before, during and after World War II

The above is from the preface to a book called White Eagle On a Red Field by Samuel Sharp which was published back in 1953 (you can download it for free). For this book, Sharp read "much of the underground press published in Poland during World War II, as well as materials relating to the history of the tragic Warsaw Uprising of 1944, not fully available in English" which is what made me read it even though it's an old book.

Anyway, I've also read some of the sympathetic studies Sharp mentions elsewhere in the preface, but I was wondering if any Polskis could recommend me some books on the second half of twentieth-century Poland, and some more recent studies of Polish politics etc. of the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. Recommendations of Polish historians would be great!

Whilst every history book has its author's points to prove (and therefore its own bias), I really am not looking for the idiotic, one-sided ravings of petty-minded nationalists. Cool, calm studies by non-partisan Polish historians are what I'm after, as far as "cool and calm" are possible when discussing your own country's history.

Oh, the recommended books can be written in Polish. I'm learning Polish at the moment, so one day I will be able to read them.

It looks interesting. I will plan to read it after Thanksgiving. Thanks for the link. My grandfather fought under Jozef P. and he loved what he stood for.

Ha, Thanksgiving! The American celebration of genocide.

oh, yeah, that's so well balanced.

You what?

Thats rather ignorant of you...
Trying to be funny, or have you always called Poles "Polskis?"

Looking for non-idiotic one-sided ravings and than going to dismiss Thanksgiving as genocide. Funny. And btw: Polskis? Really? As a Pole I could recommend sth but as 'Polskis' I don't think so.

genocide is a tad harsh...but doing over the natives shouldnt exactly be a celebration.

change your name to MrCrap

Oh, I see I raised a few hackles here, the excrement is out in force.


Relax. I deliberately didn't use the word 'Polaks' because I know that it's a derogatory term, and I like Polskis so why would I want to insult them? It's neither an attempt to be funny, nor an attempt to be insulting. It's simply an attempt to be silly by taking the Polish adjective for 'Polish' and treating it as a noun, and then pluralising that 'noun' as you would in English. Very silly, but hardly insulting. As I said, lighten up.


You're saying that genocide of the Native Americans never took place? Or that Thanksgiving isn't a celebration? I don't suppose you're also the kind of person who denies the Holocaust and that our planet is round? Thanksgiving is a celebration of genocide, that's no exaggeration, just ask if you want a more detailed explanation. Or you could just Google, rather than have me spoon-feed you...

As regard 'Polksis', see above.


Congratulations, you are seemingly the only person on this thread who has functioning brain cells. But I must insist that my description of the terrible fate meted out to the Native Americans is not an exaggeration. Genocide it was, pure and simple. If you want some evidence, just ask.


Thanks for your helpful suggestions regarding Polish history, Wahldo. Indeed, thank you one and all.

Well, this thread at least served the purpose of demonstrating what I felt sure to be true. Namely, that while all the Poles I've met personally and worked with have had a sense of humour; had actually read some history of other countries other than Poland; weren't the most cretinous variety of nationalist; and weren't, generally, just total cretins, every country has its dross.

What the hell makes you people think I dislike Poles? The fact that I have Polish friends? the fact that I'm learning the language? the fact that I'm looking for a Polish pen pal? the fact that I like to visit the country? the fact that I'm on these forums and interested in Polish history? Or did we just mindlessly zoom in on the words, "Jozef Pilsudski... repeatedly called the Poles "a nation of idiots."" I feel I know what Pilsudski was getting at.

I'm just glad that 99% of Poles are like King Sobieski, rather than the rest of you.

This thread is going in the wrong direction :(


Anyway, I don't like history, but Norman Davies is known for his several books on Poland's history (he's a Brit, so you can find his books in English and also translated to Polish).

The most comprehensive book seems to be the
God's Playground. A History of Poland. (1981)
(Vol. 1: The Origins to 1795, Vol. 2: 1795 to the Present.)

Must be your careful choice of words. I suggest you go do something nice for someone without them knowing.

Yes, this dude has funny way of making a new friends. And the outstanding sense of humour should be mentioned as well.

So why not use Poles? You tart.

Thread attached on merging:
Why the individual country wanted wipe Poland? (można po polsku)

I want to talk about polish history, experience and sufferings..

Calm down i dont think he realised its derogatory.


Try Norman Davies.