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God's Playground: A History of Poland, Vol. 2: 1795 to the Present
The most comprehensive survey of Polish history available in English, God´s Playground demonstrates Poland´s importance in European history from medieval times to the present. Abandoning the traditional nationalist approach to Polish history, Norman Davies instead stresses the country´s rich multinational heritage and places the development of the Jewish German, Ukrainian, and Lithuanian communities firmly within the Polish context. Davies emphasizes the cultural history of Poland through a presentation of extensive poetical, literary, and documentary texts in English translation. In each volume, chronological chapters of political narrative are interspersed with essays on religious, social, economic, constitutional, philosophical, and diplomatic themes. This new edition has been revised and fully updated with two new chapters to bring the story to the end of the twentieth century.
591 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
37 people are currently reading
2193 people want to read
About the author
Norman Davies
104 books538 followersIvor Norman Richard Davies FBA, FRHistS is a leading English historian of Welsh descent, noted for his publications on the history of Europe, Poland, and the United Kingdom. From 1971, Davies taught Polish history at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES) of the University of London, where he was professor from 1985 to 1996. Currently, he is Supernumary Fellow at Wolfson College, Oxford. Throughout his career, Davies has lectured in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, China, Poland, and in most of the rest of Europe as well.
The work which established Davies' reputation in the English-speaking world was God's Playground (1981), a comprehensive overview of Polish history. In Poland, the book was published officially only after the fall of communism. In 2000, Davies' Polish publishers Znak published a collection of his essays and articles under the title Smok wawelski nad Tamizą ("The Wawel Dragon on the Thames"). It is not available in English.
In 1984, Davies published Heart of Europe, a briefer history of Poland. Interestingly, the chapters are arranged in reverse chronological order. In the 1990s, Davies published Europe: A History (1996) and The Isles: A History (1999), about Europe and the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, respectively. Each book is a narrative interlarded with numerous sidepanel discussions of microtopics. In 2002, at the suggestion of the city's mayor, Bogdan Zdrojewski, Davies and his former research assistant, Roger Moorhouse, co-wrote a history of Wrocław / Breslau, a Silesian city. Titled Microcosm: Portrait of a Central European City, the book was published simultaneously in English, Polish, German and Czech. Davies also writes essays and articles for the mass media. Among others, he has worked for the BBC as well as British and American magazines and newspapers, such as The Times, The New York Review of Books and The Independent. In Poland, his articles appeared in the liberal Catholic weekly Tygodnik Powszechny. Davies' book Rising '44. The Battle for Warsaw describes the Warsaw Uprising. It was followed by Europe at War 1939-1945: No Simple Victory (2006). In 2008 Davies participated in the documentary film "The Soviet Story"
Some historians, most vocally Lucy Dawidowicz and Abraham Brumberg, object to Davies' historical treatment of the Holocaust in Nazi-occupied Poland. They accuse him of minimizing historic antisemitism, and of promoting a view that accounts of the Holocaust in international historiography largely overlook the suffering of non-Jewish Poles. Davies’s supporters contend that he gives due attention to the genocide and war crimes perpetrated by both Hitler and Stalin on Polish Jews and non-Jews. Davies himself argues that "Holocaust scholars need have no fears that rational comparisons might threaten that uniqueness. Quite the opposite." and that "...one needs to re-construct mentally the fuller picture in order to comprehend the true enormity of Poland’s wartime cataclysm, and then to say with absolute conviction ‘Never Again’." In 1986, Dawidowicz’s criticism of Davies’ historical treatment of the Holocaust was cited as a factor in a controversy at Stanford University in which Davies was denied a tenured faculty position for alleged "scientific flaws". Davies sued the university for breach of contract and defamation of character, but in 1989 the court ruled that it did not have jurisdiction in an academic matter.
Davies holds a number of honorary titles and memberships, including honorary doctorates from the universities of the Jagiellonian University (since 2003), Lublin, Gdańsk and Warsaw (since 2007), memberships in the Polish Academy of Learning (PAU) and the Academia Scientiarum et Artium Europaea, and fellowships of the British Academy and the Royal Historical Society. Davies received an honorary DLitt degree from his alma mater the University of Sussex. Davies is also an honorary
The work which established Davies' reputation in the English-speaking world was God's Playground (1981), a comprehensive overview of Polish history. In Poland, the book was published officially only after the fall of communism. In 2000, Davies' Polish publishers Znak published a collection of his essays and articles under the title Smok wawelski nad Tamizą ("The Wawel Dragon on the Thames"). It is not available in English.
In 1984, Davies published Heart of Europe, a briefer history of Poland. Interestingly, the chapters are arranged in reverse chronological order. In the 1990s, Davies published Europe: A History (1996) and The Isles: A History (1999), about Europe and the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, respectively. Each book is a narrative interlarded with numerous sidepanel discussions of microtopics. In 2002, at the suggestion of the city's mayor, Bogdan Zdrojewski, Davies and his former research assistant, Roger Moorhouse, co-wrote a history of Wrocław / Breslau, a Silesian city. Titled Microcosm: Portrait of a Central European City, the book was published simultaneously in English, Polish, German and Czech. Davies also writes essays and articles for the mass media. Among others, he has worked for the BBC as well as British and American magazines and newspapers, such as The Times, The New York Review of Books and The Independent. In Poland, his articles appeared in the liberal Catholic weekly Tygodnik Powszechny. Davies' book Rising '44. The Battle for Warsaw describes the Warsaw Uprising. It was followed by Europe at War 1939-1945: No Simple Victory (2006). In 2008 Davies participated in the documentary film "The Soviet Story"
Some historians, most vocally Lucy Dawidowicz and Abraham Brumberg, object to Davies' historical treatment of the Holocaust in Nazi-occupied Poland. They accuse him of minimizing historic antisemitism, and of promoting a view that accounts of the Holocaust in international historiography largely overlook the suffering of non-Jewish Poles. Davies’s supporters contend that he gives due attention to the genocide and war crimes perpetrated by both Hitler and Stalin on Polish Jews and non-Jews. Davies himself argues that "Holocaust scholars need have no fears that rational comparisons might threaten that uniqueness. Quite the opposite." and that "...one needs to re-construct mentally the fuller picture in order to comprehend the true enormity of Poland’s wartime cataclysm, and then to say with absolute conviction ‘Never Again’." In 1986, Dawidowicz’s criticism of Davies’ historical treatment of the Holocaust was cited as a factor in a controversy at Stanford University in which Davies was denied a tenured faculty position for alleged "scientific flaws". Davies sued the university for breach of contract and defamation of character, but in 1989 the court ruled that it did not have jurisdiction in an academic matter.
Davies holds a number of honorary titles and memberships, including honorary doctorates from the universities of the Jagiellonian University (since 2003), Lublin, Gdańsk and Warsaw (since 2007), memberships in the Polish Academy of Learning (PAU) and the Academia Scientiarum et Artium Europaea, and fellowships of the British Academy and the Royal Historical Society. Davies received an honorary DLitt degree from his alma mater the University of Sussex. Davies is also an honorary
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 29, 2023
Like a Polish table set for guests, it's all here. Serving after serving. Scoops and more. Helpings are lavish and elegantly delivered. Never rushed. No. You've got to sit and sit and sit. For hours. Days even. The circulation will go from your legs. Your fear of getting deep vein thrombosis on long haul flights will be as nothing to reading this. Dense with detail, anecdotes, excerpts from letters, conversations, poetry, you name it, Davies delivers. And this is just one of two volumes. The end chapters on the Solidarity movement and failure of communism are the dessert worth waiting for.
Sernik. Makowiec. Szarlotka. That's cheesecake, poppyseed cake, and apple pie. Go on. Indulge yourself.
Sernik. Makowiec. Szarlotka. That's cheesecake, poppyseed cake, and apple pie. Go on. Indulge yourself.
August 30, 2014
I greatly admire the first volume of Norman Davies' history of Poland. I absolutely love the second. I know a number of women who teach in the local Saturday Polish school that both my children attended. Finally, an author gives the volunteer Polish school teachers some long overdue praise. Davies writes:
"The typical Polish Patriot of the turn of century was not the revolutionary with a revolver in his pocket, but the young lady of a good family with a textbook under her shawl."
Yes, it was the volunteer school teachers that kept the Polish language and culture alive for 125 years when no Polish state existed. Due to the efforts of similar women in North America, Poles retained pride in their culture through several generations. When the Solidarity movement appeared Polish North Americans responded with generous and vital financial support while their governments rigorously avoided commitment.
After describing how the Poles created a national culture in the nineteenth century at a time when their was no Polish state, Davies next tells the story of the remarkable General Pilsudski who opportunistically created a new Polish State in 1918 when the Austrian, German and Russian empires all crumbled at the same time.
The Polish Renaissance proved to be short as Germany and Russia carved up Poland again in 1939. The Poland that emerged at the end of the war bore little resemblance to the one that existed at the beginning.
In 1939 Polish speaking Catholics accounted for just slightly more than half of the population. There were large numbers of Orthodox Christians, Lutherans and Jews in the country. Native speakers of Yiddish, German, Lithuanian and Ukrainian made up roughly 45% of the population. The Nazis liquidated the Jews. The Russians expelled the Germans to the West. They cut the Eastern part of Poland off and gave it to the Ukraine. Ukrainians resident in the area given to Poland were sent to the Ukraine while the Poles in the Ukrainian area had to go East. Similar population movements occurred between Lithuania and Poland. The result for Poland was a monolithic Polish-speaking Catholic population. Poland thus became something it had never been before.
Davies finishes off the century with the Poles free from Russian control and resolutely moving forward. This is a great read.
"The typical Polish Patriot of the turn of century was not the revolutionary with a revolver in his pocket, but the young lady of a good family with a textbook under her shawl."
Yes, it was the volunteer school teachers that kept the Polish language and culture alive for 125 years when no Polish state existed. Due to the efforts of similar women in North America, Poles retained pride in their culture through several generations. When the Solidarity movement appeared Polish North Americans responded with generous and vital financial support while their governments rigorously avoided commitment.
After describing how the Poles created a national culture in the nineteenth century at a time when their was no Polish state, Davies next tells the story of the remarkable General Pilsudski who opportunistically created a new Polish State in 1918 when the Austrian, German and Russian empires all crumbled at the same time.
The Polish Renaissance proved to be short as Germany and Russia carved up Poland again in 1939. The Poland that emerged at the end of the war bore little resemblance to the one that existed at the beginning.
In 1939 Polish speaking Catholics accounted for just slightly more than half of the population. There were large numbers of Orthodox Christians, Lutherans and Jews in the country. Native speakers of Yiddish, German, Lithuanian and Ukrainian made up roughly 45% of the population. The Nazis liquidated the Jews. The Russians expelled the Germans to the West. They cut the Eastern part of Poland off and gave it to the Ukraine. Ukrainians resident in the area given to Poland were sent to the Ukraine while the Poles in the Ukrainian area had to go East. Similar population movements occurred between Lithuania and Poland. The result for Poland was a monolithic Polish-speaking Catholic population. Poland thus became something it had never been before.
Davies finishes off the century with the Poles free from Russian control and resolutely moving forward. This is a great read.
September 13, 2025
I think it's one of the most important books I've ever read. My intuition tells me it's because of a non-Polish author directing a message to a non-Polish audience.
Polish history is often presented falsely in the eyes of the outside world. Centuries of attempting to erase Poland from the history of the world by Russia and Prussia have partially gave the positive results. Things like Soviets invasion or Gulags are still not so popular in the mainstream. That's the first reason why I value this book so much - Davies simply tries do demystify everything (often emphasizing this!).
To me (Polish audience) "God's Playground" shines in another aspect though. I'd describe it as coherence and keynote. The book is huge but I didn't feel off for a single time. The main building block is author's curiosity, which I'll try to paraphrase: "How is it possible that such vague, ephemeral, multi-cultural entity like Poland was able to survive all of those critical times and events?". What's most important, Davies delivers the answer! The answer is multifaceted and complex. He touches literally every aspect of the country - education, military, religion, tolerance, economics and, above all, culture! The way he's able to use Polish poetry, and other works of art literally sent shivers down my spine at times.
Nothing but five stars!
Polish history is often presented falsely in the eyes of the outside world. Centuries of attempting to erase Poland from the history of the world by Russia and Prussia have partially gave the positive results. Things like Soviets invasion or Gulags are still not so popular in the mainstream. That's the first reason why I value this book so much - Davies simply tries do demystify everything (often emphasizing this!).
To me (Polish audience) "God's Playground" shines in another aspect though. I'd describe it as coherence and keynote. The book is huge but I didn't feel off for a single time. The main building block is author's curiosity, which I'll try to paraphrase: "How is it possible that such vague, ephemeral, multi-cultural entity like Poland was able to survive all of those critical times and events?". What's most important, Davies delivers the answer! The answer is multifaceted and complex. He touches literally every aspect of the country - education, military, religion, tolerance, economics and, above all, culture! The way he's able to use Polish poetry, and other works of art literally sent shivers down my spine at times.
Nothing but five stars!
June 15, 2022
"Goodbye, my socialist friends. I am stepping off at Polish Independence Station while wishing you good luck on your journey to utopia."--- Josef Piłsudski, Poland's interwar dictator, addressing his former Bolshevik colleagues. By one of those strange coincidences that only history can produce Piłsudski's brother and the older brother of Vladimir Ulyanov, the future Lenin, were both hanged by the Russian regime for the same plot to assassinate the Czar. The history of Poland is inseparable from that of her three giant neighbors, Russia, Germany and Lithuania (once a giant, now a dwarf). Davies, a British historian, makes no bones about siding with the Poles in this multi-century dispute. Indeed, his first book examined the Soviet-Polish War of 1919-1921 (which made the careers of everyone from Stalin to Charles De Gaulle). Yet, his bias does not detract from our reading of this exhaustive volume and its predecessor. To paraphrase Porfirio Diaz, "Poor Poland; so close to God and so close the Germany and Russia---even today."
June 28, 2019
Overall good but I skipped the contemporary sections, especially when the author started to talk about his own book being so great....
January 21, 2025
Druga część opisująca historię Polski do 2010 roku. Wchodziła mi dużo lepiej, bo miałam dużo lepsze fundamenty (biografia Skłodowskiej, Konopnickiej, Kwaśniewskiego…).
Świetne kompendium, które poza faktami, daje też świeże spojrzenie człowieka z zewnątrz na sprawy polskie.
Świetne kompendium, które poza faktami, daje też świeże spojrzenie człowieka z zewnątrz na sprawy polskie.
May 1, 2020
Ciekawa historia Polski trochę z innej perspektywy, są drobne niedomowienia i braki, ale mimo wszystko polecam.
September 28, 2024
Spoiler alert: it got worse after 1795
December 22, 2019
Informative but boring and a big mess of acronyms. Reads more like a textbook than a book. Not how I like to read my history
January 23, 2022
Making a history of a "nation" — itself a rather modern word — that did not consistently have an associated state for almost two centuries is tough, but Davies does a decent job integrating the variety of situations that Poles experienced.
There are, however, many printing errors, and Davies gives seemingly disproportionate attention to the People's Republic.
There are, however, many printing errors, and Davies gives seemingly disproportionate attention to the People's Republic.
September 14, 2025
This is the second volume of the authors history of Poland, this volume covering 1795 to the present (in this case the early 1980s and the rise of Solidarity) , this volume being published in 1981.
Chronologically the work is a little disjointed and several of the maps and charts are pretty pointless and hard to make out. While the author does make some astute points such as that the Soviet Union would pass away the overall sense of this book is that it is actually pretty dull and far from a gripping read. As the author focuses on themes and the different parts of Poland after the country was partitioned (several times) it is hard to get a coherent chronological flow from this book. Some of this isn`t the authors fault, what is Poland and where it actually is has changed throughout history (most recently after WW2 when a large part of the country was effectively shifted 150 miles west losing territory in the East to the USSR but being compensated with German territory in the west, all of which means that identities in the region are far from settled or clear.
Overall I found this book a little disappointing
Chronologically the work is a little disjointed and several of the maps and charts are pretty pointless and hard to make out. While the author does make some astute points such as that the Soviet Union would pass away the overall sense of this book is that it is actually pretty dull and far from a gripping read. As the author focuses on themes and the different parts of Poland after the country was partitioned (several times) it is hard to get a coherent chronological flow from this book. Some of this isn`t the authors fault, what is Poland and where it actually is has changed throughout history (most recently after WW2 when a large part of the country was effectively shifted 150 miles west losing territory in the East to the USSR but being compensated with German territory in the west, all of which means that identities in the region are far from settled or clear.
Overall I found this book a little disappointing
June 25, 2020
Davies doesn't strictly organize the book chronologically. While that is how it is set up for good portions of the books, he also has chapters on specific themes (religion, nobility, peasantry, politics, etc). This works really well in helping to give context to events, and allows for a broader look at Poland. He writes really well, and makes good use of primary sources throughout (including Polish originals, which is nice). This edition does feel rushed in his description of Solidarity and the post-Communist era, but that can be forgiven being that it is all relatively new and hasn't been contextualized from a historic viewpoint (though he makes good observations about the future of Poland that fit in with what's going on now).
I also found it funny that Davies' referenced himself (without naming himself) and the book itself, in the updated section, noting that the book was clandestinely translated in the 1980s, and served as an updated history of Poland that came out right when Poland was in the world conscience. This wasn't a full-out exaggeration either, as the books have been used in Polish schools as a textbook for the past several years.
I will critique the publisher though, as the text was not that clear, and the maps and diagrams were all but useless as a result, but having seen the 1980 version I know that was an issue with this printing.
I also found it funny that Davies' referenced himself (without naming himself) and the book itself, in the updated section, noting that the book was clandestinely translated in the 1980s, and served as an updated history of Poland that came out right when Poland was in the world conscience. This wasn't a full-out exaggeration either, as the books have been used in Polish schools as a textbook for the past several years.
I will critique the publisher though, as the text was not that clear, and the maps and diagrams were all but useless as a result, but having seen the 1980 version I know that was an issue with this printing.
November 1, 2023
Wow! A compendium of a book, replete with folksong and poetry to illustrate the Romantic moments of the day. Everything you could ever want to know about Polish history which is more of an interweaving of experiences of peoples separated by empire and class.
This was published in 1981 before the fall of the Soviet Union and before contemporary historical methods which would require using the lens of identity to examine different experiences based on gender, class, ethnicity, etc.
This was published in 1981 before the fall of the Soviet Union and before contemporary historical methods which would require using the lens of identity to examine different experiences based on gender, class, ethnicity, etc.
September 26, 2024
There is not much more to say other than what I wrote in my review of volume one.
However, it is to be recommended because of Davies depth of knowledge and diligence in research even if it comes across as a bit dry (such is the nature of many historians - however please check out my review on Poland: First to Fight).
It is however a must read for anybody who wants to get to grips with the complexity of what makes Modern Poland what it is.
However, it is to be recommended because of Davies depth of knowledge and diligence in research even if it comes across as a bit dry (such is the nature of many historians - however please check out my review on Poland: First to Fight).
It is however a must read for anybody who wants to get to grips with the complexity of what makes Modern Poland what it is.
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December 18, 2023As much as I liked Volume I, I prefer Volume II. The information about Russia/the Soviet Union gives great insight into what modern Russia is doing under its current dictator. I'd now like an update from 1981 to today.
The GoodReads page count is waaaaaaay out. It is not something over 500 pages. It is 725 pages.
The GoodReads page count is waaaaaaay out. It is not something over 500 pages. It is 725 pages.
March 27, 2024
One of the most thorough forays into a subject that should have more exposure. Both parts one and two of Davies’ work are reinforced by a wealth of sources, and the two parts read very easily for an academic text. As a scholar on Contemporary Poland, I would absolutely recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in the topic.
May 23, 2020
Five stars in terms of depth and research. Two stars pertaining to readability. Do not be fooled; this is a text book! Yes, it's an essential read packed with knowledge about Poland. However, be ready for the grind of reading a text book!
April 5, 2018
Davies is the great historian of Poland. He is deeply knowledgeable and fearless in his theses.
June 26, 2020
Poetic cinema
September 26, 2020
Read up to 1905 since my ancestors had all emigrated by then.
July 20, 2025
Wow, I made it through this brick, and enjoyed the ride. Apart from being thorough in details that were omitted at school, it was especially interesting to see Polish history through Western eyes.
February 2, 2021
Extremely comprehensive, but much less readable than Volume 1, and with many more editing and spelling errors. The last several chapters were a bit heavy-handed in promoting the author's book.
Overall, it has a wide scope, and includes footnotes and bibliography covering the history of the divided regions of Poland, various risings, cultural history, the interwar period, World War II, the Soviet period, and the Solidarity movement.
Overall, it has a wide scope, and includes footnotes and bibliography covering the history of the divided regions of Poland, various risings, cultural history, the interwar period, World War II, the Soviet period, and the Solidarity movement.
July 4, 2007
I've read this book almost 30 years after it was first published. It was the first translation into polish in early 80-ies, today there are several editions and updated versions of this extensive work.Back in the 70' Polish Government wouldn't allow book like this to be published in our country.I'm not a professional historian, but Mr.'s Normans preface enlightened me in the subject of hitory works.We all know how we've learn the so called "history" in school.His approach is more of a scientific nature, spaning into all of the nation's aspects of life. It simple is, worth to read to understand how historians work and analize the past events.After all this guy worked at Harvard and Oxford. He knows his trade!
Being polish, this book opened my eyes to subjects, which are mostly ignored by poles, who tent to be very nationalistic in their view of the "national" history.Whithout being boring I strongly suggest this book to all poles, to accept the fact that best Poland's history book can be written by the person who's nationality is different than theirs. Also, american readers can axpend their understanding of how today's Europe was created and with how many problems it had to deal with before it became, what we call today a European Union.Our nation,being only 231 years old today, faces similar problems, of identity, multiculturalism,religous pluralism.Sometime ago, our president, Mr. Bush used a fraze:" building nations" ;and it does not have to be necesserilly used in the context of reestablishing countries; we can also learn something from the countries that are 1000 years old.
Being polish, this book opened my eyes to subjects, which are mostly ignored by poles, who tent to be very nationalistic in their view of the "national" history.Whithout being boring I strongly suggest this book to all poles, to accept the fact that best Poland's history book can be written by the person who's nationality is different than theirs. Also, american readers can axpend their understanding of how today's Europe was created and with how many problems it had to deal with before it became, what we call today a European Union.Our nation,being only 231 years old today, faces similar problems, of identity, multiculturalism,religous pluralism.Sometime ago, our president, Mr. Bush used a fraze:" building nations" ;and it does not have to be necesserilly used in the context of reestablishing countries; we can also learn something from the countries that are 1000 years old.
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September 15, 2011The second volume of "God's Playground" will tell you about how the Polish spirit survived during the time of partitions when there was no real Polish state to speak off, how the Polish Nation was briefly resurrected between the two World Wars, the dramatic events during WW2, how after 1945 the People's republic was forged into its modern form by brutal force, and finally how it managed to free itself from Communism and Soviet domination.
The book is probably a bit daunting and too detailed for the casual non-Polish reader who just wants an overview of Polish history, as was the case for me. However, the incredible breadth and depth of Davies knowledge, his story-telling skills and his even-handedness hugely impressed me, and what I expected to become somewhat of a struggle turned out to be a really interesting and pleasant journey. It certainly made me more appreciative of the fact that historical developments are almost never as simple and straightforward as they seem at first sight, especially in Poland. :-)
PS. After reading this book I found out that there is apparently some controversy over the fact that Norman Davies, according to some, downplays the anti-semitism in Poland, specifically during WW2, and he is even accused of supporting Polish nationalism. Without claiming any authority or expertise whatsoever, I'd like to say that after reading this book I find such accusations completely ridiculous.
The book is probably a bit daunting and too detailed for the casual non-Polish reader who just wants an overview of Polish history, as was the case for me. However, the incredible breadth and depth of Davies knowledge, his story-telling skills and his even-handedness hugely impressed me, and what I expected to become somewhat of a struggle turned out to be a really interesting and pleasant journey. It certainly made me more appreciative of the fact that historical developments are almost never as simple and straightforward as they seem at first sight, especially in Poland. :-)
PS. After reading this book I found out that there is apparently some controversy over the fact that Norman Davies, according to some, downplays the anti-semitism in Poland, specifically during WW2, and he is even accused of supporting Polish nationalism. Without claiming any authority or expertise whatsoever, I'd like to say that after reading this book I find such accusations completely ridiculous.
December 7, 2016
An absolute masterwork of historical analysis. Dr. Davies has long been considered the Dean of Eastern European studies. He proves it in this two volume work on Poland. I must warn the reader that the sheer amount of suffering and bloodshed of the Polish people at the hands of the Nazis and the Communists from 1939 to 1990 makes for some is described in detail. It will make you physically ill to read it. But the truth is there. It permeates the book. It is a fitting tribute to the Polish Spirit.
May 22, 2019
Long, info overload, iconic, maddening. Welcome to Professor Davies.
On page 60 of 591 of God's Playground: Page 56, beginning of a paragraph regarding Polish nationalism, Norman Davies writes:
"The proliferating profusion of possible political permutations among the pullulating peoples and parties of the Polish provinces in this period palpably prevented the propagation of permanent pacts between potential partners"
????
Page 356 Has some of the most chilling and amazing episodes of WW2 and the Polish Jewish and Polish Catholic resistance to the Germans.
On page 60 of 591 of God's Playground: Page 56, beginning of a paragraph regarding Polish nationalism, Norman Davies writes:
"The proliferating profusion of possible political permutations among the pullulating peoples and parties of the Polish provinces in this period palpably prevented the propagation of permanent pacts between potential partners"
????
Page 356 Has some of the most chilling and amazing episodes of WW2 and the Polish Jewish and Polish Catholic resistance to the Germans.
January 11, 2011
I rate Norman Davies very highly but I have to say that I think that in his "God's Playground" he takes a lot for granted in his readers - it is almost as if he is expecting one to be coming to the books with a lot of knowledge already and so he jumps around a lot in his discussion of events and topics. There is much to be savoured but one has to work at it.
October 26, 2024
Like Vol. 1, except that, given the time period, it was more heart-breaking. The type-setting is atrocious, to the point where it becomes distracting. Very obvious that the author is enamored of Poland, and I wonder if that swings his bias a bit. Still, the only comprehensive story of Poland. Well worth the time.
April 25, 2016
I must say that bring completely different than previously expected I actually loved almost every bit of it. The skilful combination of chronological description and various (economics/politics/religion/sociology) analyses makes it a must if you're thinking about learning about history of Poland.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews