Poland Stated First Edition/Station Second Print > F/VF- with G/G+ DJ)

by James A Michener (1907-1997)

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Random House, New York NY (1983) HC w/ DJ, Stated First Edition/Stated Second Print (Copyright page number series reads: 1-9, further states: First Edition, jacket's flap states: 9/83, Copyright page Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data numbers read: PS3525.I19P6 1983 813'.54 83-4477), stout 8vo, 556 pages; Book: F/VF-, clean, tight and sound, appears a once read or a lightly read, front board has one mild stain dot that has lightened the color approximate 1/2" circular, elsewise nothing derogatory of note, red full woven cloth boards and spine, bright gilt lettering to spine, art flat stamped in bright gilt to front board; Pages: F/VF-, clean, white and secure, nothing derogatory of note; DJ: G/G+, clean and bright, tip bump and tip rub all four, tip chip all four, edge wear and edge rub all around, three significant line cracks to bottom edge front approximate 3" - 1" - 3/4" but no open tears to them, not clipped, price still showing on front inner flap (not a remainder/not a book club ed./not a Library ed.) Synopsis: The forceful opening of this massive Michener work is set in 1981 Burkowo, Poland, a small village on the Vistula River in the southeast of the country. Here an important meeting has been called for a group of militant farmers, led by Janko Buk, to present their grievances and demands to the Minister of Agriculture, Szymon Bukowski, and other Communist officials. When the farmers insist that the local Catholic Bishop join the discussion, Warsaw orders a month's adjournment. The final chapter is a continuation of the first. The main body of the book, placed between the two contemporary scenes, covers eight important periods in Polish history, from the 13th century to the modern day Poland --- a succession of heroic efforts, sometimes victorious, often tragic, to repel invaders: Tarters, Germans, Swedes, Turks, Russians. By the end of the 18th century Poland had disappeared from the European map, having been completely absorbed by Germany, Austria, and Russia, a condition that prevailed until the end of WWI, only to end two scant decades later with the rise of Hitler and his Nazi invasion of Poland in his military drive across Europe. In this historical background, Michener's meticulously planned and splendidly executed novel combines fact and fiction in a manner for which he is famous for around the world. The tree families whose descendants will dominate the story are introduced as they resist the Tarter terror in the year 1241: Krzystof of Castle Gorka and his henchman Zygmunt, progenitors, respectively, of the wealthy Counts Lubonski and the Bukowski of the gentry. Subservient to these is Jan of the forest, whose lineage will be known by the name Buk. These are of Michener's invention, but faithfully represent the principle layers of rigid Polish society where everyone knew their position. Though the Poles were doomed to live in the battleground of Europe and to fight in many historic conflicts, they were as robust in the pursuit of pleasure and grandeur and zestful as they were valiant in war. This vivid story abundantly draws on their love of music, dancing and feasting, of romance and intrigue, of the glamour of Warsaw and Vienna. Michener also suggests reasons why such an admirable and talented peoples have seldom been able to achieve any enduring freedom for which they have so deeply yearned. This was James A Michener's 25th work.

Book summary

Michener provides a sweeping, educational 700-year history of Poland, making it come alive with an array of characters and situations.