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Poland, A Unique Country & Its People

Alicja Deck-Partyka

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This Book is Available Paperback (6x9)9781425918385 $ 19.95  
This Book is Available Glossy Hardcover (6x9)9781425918392 $ 24.95  
About the Book

Poland, as a result of its location and geography, has been an area of conflict throughout its long and turbulent history. It has had periods of greatness, independence and prosperity alternated with phases of foreign domination and disaster during which its boundaries and people have been divided by conquering nations. Despite this, culture flourished within the country and Poland was one of the most active countries during the Renaissance with some religious and social laws many countries today still do not have. The Sejm voted the monarchs of Poland into power beginning in 1572, which became an important step for political progress in Europe. On May 3, 1791, Poland adopted Europe's first democratic constitution -- the world's second after the American Constitution.

 

"We are pleased and grateful for your effort put into writing this book. We hope it will help to provide information on Poland to many Anglophones. The part on Economy in Poland is accurate assuming the reader is looking for general information or she/he is running a preliminary research on the economy of our country."

Marcin Walewski

Deputy Commercial Attache

Embassy of Poland

 

"...I am interested in virtually all things Polish, and look forward to enjoying the entire book upon publication. To know that I had some hand in assisting you with your tome, will be something for me to be proud of for years to come."

Chevalier Rik Sulima-Suligowski Fox

Guildmaster, The Polish Nobility Commonwealth Guild

1st US Hussaria

 

 

I found the book chock-full of information and written in a style that was easy to read and understand. The chapter on Poland's Industrial Diversity was an inspired way to illustrate the diversity of Poland's economy while avoiding the use of figures and statistics that can be difficult to understand. Meanwhile the sections on Culture and appendix on Notable Poles provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives, customs and achievements of the Polish people.

Sandra Molyneaux

 

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Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (8/06)

 

I chose this book to review because I thought it would help me learn more about the country my ancestors immigrated from. I must say, I wasn’t disappointed and I learned so much more than I truly anticipated.

Not only does "Poland" cover a 1000 years of history, it also covers present day traditions and customs. I was amazed to learn that the earliest traces go back 180,000 years in the Ojcow Caves near Kracow. Polish archaeologists have uncovered many remains indicating agricultural cultures as well as industries of cloth and leather, and trading in stones, metals and pottery.

Christianity was accepted in Poland by Prince Mieszko in 966 AD. Ruling by Monarchs and Kings dates back as early as 550 AD.

Deck-Partyka covers many aspects of Poland. Not only does she explain the history, she also covers geography, climate, government, economy and culture. What I found most interesting was the culture, much of which I didn’t know because it wasn’t practiced in our home. I learned about the ancient Polish Gods and Goddesses as well as folklore and legends. I also learned that the Polish language is of Indo-Iranian origin.

One of the customs that I do recall witnessing as a child is "placing bread, wheat, herbs, salt and a holy image under the four corners of the house" when being built. I also recall, after reading about the Babkas (female healers), my mother talking about her grandmother being the village Babka. Although sometimes they were considered witches, they were also considered the "wise woman," healer, and midwife. Babkas still exist for those who have lost confidence in traditional medicine. The other aspect of the traditions that shed some light for me was the naming customs. My father was named after Saint Peter, a custom that is important to the Polish culture. Usually the child is named after the Saint "whose feast day is on or near the birth or baptismal date of their child" or after one of the godparents. Polish people don’t celebrate birthdays; they celebrate the feast day of the Saint whom they were named after. This posed a problem for my father when he attempted to

obtain certification of birth for immigration purposes. No one could remember his actual birth date but they knew it was "around" the feast date of Saint Peter.

In the back of the book, that brought a big smile to my face, are recipes that brought back many fond memories. For example, Chrusiki (Polish Bows) (which I think actually means "pig ears") were my favorite as a child. The Piernik (Honey Cake) brought back memories of my grandmother, and I must admit, I found horrible to my taste. And, of course there are the Pierogi which are a staple in any traditional Polish home. And, there is the Placki Kartoflane (potato pancakes) and Grzyby Duszone w S’mietanie (creamed mushrooms) that I still make.

My commendations wholeheartedly go to Alicja Deck-Partyka, who put much time and effort into creating "Poland, A Unique Country and Its People", for readers to learn more about Poland, whether it is their heritage or not. Her concise, yet very informative, book is a must have for anyone interested in learning more about the Polish culture. It certainly is more than I originally anticipated and after reading this book, I am so much more knowledgeable about the country my ancestors lived in.

About the Author
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POLAND,

A Unique Country & Its People

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................... xi

 

HISTORY

SETTLEMENT OF THE SLAVS................................................................................................. 3

EARLY HISTORY.......................................................................................................................... 7

POLISH NOBILITY......................................................................................................................... 9

POLISH KINGS & RULING PRINCES...................................................................................... 14

THE NOBLE REPUBLIC........................................................................................................... 24

POLAND's WARS...................................................................................................................... 30

PARTITIONS of POLAND.......................................................................................................... 34

WORLD WAR I............................................................................................................................ 42

INTERWAR PERIOD - Rebirth of Poland................................................................................. 45

WORLD WAR II........................................................................................................................... 49

COMMUNISM ERA.................................................................................................................... 62

SOLIDARITY................................................................................................................................ 67

MARTIAL LAW............................................................................................................................ 71

INDEPENDENT & DEMOCRATIC POLAND......................................................................... 74

 

GEOGRAPHY

GEOGRAPHY............................................................................................................................. 79

CLIMATE..................................................................................................................................... 83

ABUNDANCE OF NATURAL RESOURCES......................................................................... 85

NUMEROUS NATIONAL PARKS............................................................................................. 99

DIVERSITY OF WILDLIFE....................................................................................................... 110

ENVIRONMENT CONDITIONS & CRISES........................................................................... 113

CITIES & VOIVODSHIPS........................................................................................................ 118

HISTORIC SEA PORTS & MODERN CHANGE.................................................................. 132

 

GOVERNMENT

POLAND's COAT OF ARMS.................................................................................................. 139

ORDERS & DECORATIONS.................................................................................................. 141

THE SEJM & POLISH POLITICAL SYSTEM........................................................................ 145

FOREIGN POLICY.................................................................................................................... 147

HISTORY OF POLAND'S ARMED FORCES....................................................................... 150

LEGAL RIGHTS & THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM........................................................................ 165

TAX SYSTEM IN POLAND..................................................................................................... 173

TRADITION of the CUSTOMS SERVICE.............................................................................. 177

EDUCATION - A Historic Tradition......................................................................................... 179

POLAND's UNIVERSITIES..................................................................................................... 186

HEALTHCARE......................................................................................................................... 193

POPULATION & the Central Statistical Office...................................................................... 195

STATE ARCHIVES.................................................................................................................. 199

SCIENCE in POLAND............................................................................................................. 203

INSURANCE INDUSTRY in POLAND................................................................................... 206

ENERGY INDUSTRIES............................................................................................................ 208

TRANSPORTATION................................................................................................................. 213

COMMUNICATION................................................................................................................... 219

ECONOMY

ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION......................................................................................... 227

MONETARY SYSTEM - 1000 Years of Coins....................................................................... 233

POLISH CENTRAL BANKING................................................................................................ 238

WARSAW STOCK EXCHANGE........................................................................................... 241

AGRICULTURE - A Difficult Transition................................................................................... 243

POLAND'S INDUSTRIAL DIVERSITY................................................................................... 245

INVESTING in POLAND's FUTURE....................................................................................... 265

ACHIEVING  EUROPEAN UNION MEMBERSHIP.............................................................. 271

CULTURE

ANCIENT POLISH GODS & GODDESSES......................................................................... 279

FOLKLORE & LEGENDS....................................................................................................... 282

POLISH, A DIFFICULT LANGUAGE..................................................................................... 287

POLISH PROVERBS............................................................................................................... 289

UNIQUE POLISH CUSTOMS................................................................................................. 294

HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS.................................................................................................... 304

RELIGIONS OF POLAND....................................................................................................... 309

WOMEN's ISSUES.................................................................................................................. 318

SOCIAL & BUSINESS ETIQUETTE...................................................................................... 326

DISTINCTIVE POLISH FOOD & DRINK................................................................................ 337

ARCHITECTURE...................................................................................................................... 340

... Interior Decorations.............................................................................................................. 342

FINE ARTS................................................................................................................................ 344

... Literature................................................................................................................................ 344

...     Women Writers................................................................................................................. 345

...     Polish National Library..................................................................................................... 345

... Art........................................................................................................................................... 346

...     Painting:............................................................................................................................. 346

...     Sculpture:........................................................................................................................... 348

...     Gold & Silver:.................................................................................................................... 350

...     Metalwork:......................................................................................................................... 351

...     Textiles:.............................................................................................................................. 352

... Music...................................................................................................................................... 355

...     Opera................................................................................................................................. 356

...     National Anthem................................................................................................................ 358

... Dance..................................................................................................................................... 359

... Theatre................................................................................................................................... 361

... Movies.................................................................................................................................... 362

MUSEUMS - Home of Historic Memories............................................................................. 363

SPORTS.................................................................................................................................... 370

Bibliography.............................................................................................................................. 379

 

 

APPENDIX

Memorable Poles....................................................................................................................... A1

Polish Recipes......................................................................................................................... A73

Polish Saints............................................................................................................................. A91

Polish Names......................................................................................................................... A101

 


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