Jürgen Thorwald and Henry Hartmann were a great duet. Full of knowledge, priceless information, and with a voice that was compassionate, yet straight Jürgen Thorwald and Henry Hartmann were a great duet. Full of knowledge, priceless information, and with a voice that was compassionate, yet straight and sharp too.
It's really hard for me to describe the book. Horrible, important, unforgettable.
Repeating after GR description: One of the most important testimoniesIt's really hard for me to describe the book. Horrible, important, unforgettable.
Repeating after GR description: One of the most important testimonies of a gulag and at the same time one of the most important works in the history of Polish – and world – literature of the 20th century.
A shocking vivisection of the mechanisms of Soviet totalitarianism and a picture of human nature exposed to the hardest of tests. In a word: a book that – as Albert Camus stated – “should be published and read in all countries of the world.”
I understand why the book isn't more known in the Western world. People know much about Nazi concentration camps, but almost none about the gulags. It is sad because (according to estimates, unfortunately, there is no exact data) almost 20 million people were in gulags and almost 3 million died there. And what the system did with those people (physically and psychologically) was beyond imagination.
If you are able to read such stories - do what you can to get to read this memoir....more
There are so many bad (awful, untruthful) books about IIWW, the Holocaust, etc., we can not forget about those priceless.
Hanna Krall's reportage, her There are so many bad (awful, untruthful) books about IIWW, the Holocaust, etc., we can not forget about those priceless.
Hanna Krall's reportage, her interview with Marek Edelman - one of the few survivors of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising was like a blow to the heart. I felt the same reading it for the first time, in High School.
On those hundred pages, you don't get a chronological list of events, names, dates, etc. You get the point of view, struggles with what happened, no definitive answers, many questions, and most of all the feeling that there is no way to fully understand people who had to cope with that horrible reality.
Perhaps some readers will find it difficult to read because it was a bit chaotic. But let me remind you, that not only Edelman was recounting events from about 30 years, that in a way he wanted to forget probably, but also simply because he recalled life, surviving that was chaotic.
If you think about yourself as a reader who is interested in IIWW, the history of Jews, etc. - you have to know this book....more
Well, I tried to read it a few times. Each time, I got bored or confused by the preface/dedication. This time I finally went through it.
Had anyone aftWell, I tried to read it a few times. Each time, I got bored or confused by the preface/dedication. This time I finally went through it.
Had anyone after Machiavelli said something new about ruling and invading? I don't think so.
What Machiavelli wrote was sad and depressing but it was true. I can be angry, I can stamp my foot and repeat "No, I don't agree with such a world", but it would not make it less true.
Absolutely a must-read for everyone interested in the topic. The language is old-fashioned (and a bit fatiguing), so if you are not able to go through it, read some good summaries (or use ChatGPT, etc.)....more
Well-research and deeply considered analysis (by an author who feels like a part of the institution).
The Polish Catholic Church has looked very bad foWell-research and deeply considered analysis (by an author who feels like a part of the institution).
The Polish Catholic Church has looked very bad for many years, to tell it mildly. Ignacy Dutkiewicz proved why it is so. There isn't an easy answer, that allows to easily make changes. The corruption and distortion of ideals are so deep they will require many years of hard work and fundamental changes. Personally, I am not even sure if it is worth it.
Hugo-Bader returned after years to the people whom he met (circa) twenty years earlier. So, we got epilogues to thA superb compilations of reportages.
Hugo-Bader returned after years to the people whom he met (circa) twenty years earlier. So, we got epilogues to their stories, often long, complicated, and always fascinating. The title audit was a revision of the lives of those humans.
On the other hand, the title audit was also a check-out of how Polish transformation (from Soviet influences into a free and democratic country) went out.
Sharp wit, uncompromised style.
I learned about people who lived (some still live) next to me, but I never met them. I only knew they existed. Thanks to Jacek Hugo-Bader I understand now better not only them but also the Polish society.
My second book by the author, and for sure not the last....more
An interesting dive into the world of Polish "Covid deniers" in the first two years of the pandemic. It was also horrific. Yet, today, I could read itAn interesting dive into the world of Polish "Covid deniers" in the first two years of the pandemic. It was also horrific. Yet, today, I could read it with less anger than I would have two years ago.
Of course, not all was new to me. Nonetheless, I have been avoiding the deniers, as a rule. So, some connections, and aspects were new to me.
I liked the author's irony (even his bitterness), although I am surprised that some people wanted to speak to him after what he told them.
Engrossing, knowledgeable research about that short part of German history (Weimar Republic) that was full of contradictions. Brocken, invalid IWW vetEngrossing, knowledgeable research about that short part of German history (Weimar Republic) that was full of contradictions. Brocken, invalid IWW veterans vs. mania of a healthy body. Old-fashioned values vs modernism like from the XXI century. Big cities vs countryside. Starving poor vs ostentatious wealth. And many others. Those years brought ideas and art that were often appreciated later, much after IIWW. Sadly, those years also created nazism and the IIWW.
Because you box and jazz and dance the foxtrot on a powder keg. (...) A fuse smolders underground. There's a crash in the middle of the foxtrot and night falls.
I was reading this book constantly taking breaks to check out the mentioned buildings, paintings, etc. I got a brilliant lesson in German history. I think, that nowadays, the Weimar Republic and those Germans aren't known. Most people see Germany in the first part of the XX century only as a country that was responsible for IWW and IIWW. And, although it is true, there are also many truths that we forget because of anger and a sense of injustice.
People who still think that all Germans were responsible for nazism (and what it did) should read this book.
Just listen to three of the most popular songs of that time: "Wenn ich mir was wünschen dürfte" (If I could wish for something), "Irgendwo auf der Welt" (Somewhere in the World), "Das gibt's nur einmal das kommt nicht wieder" (This only happens once and won't happen again) - to understand how far the true is from popcultural image of Germans of the 20. XX....more
This book was even more shocking, it rocked to the core.
First of all, it is a must-read for everyone who values human rights, humanity, etc.
Then, it is a must-read for everyone interested in the history.
Also, it is a must-read for everyone who loves literature.
And, lastly, everyone should at least know the message and Sven Lindqvist's understanding of genocides.
To me, it was one of the most impressive and the most important books I have ever read.
It allowed me to better understand Joseph Conrad and his novels (especially Heart of Darkness), and a few other writers, e.g. H.G. Wells.
It showed me the parts of history that most people (with help from some historians) are trying to not remember.
First of all, it put into my head questions that I want now to ask everyone:
Which guilt and debts the new generation should inherit, which not, why and who (and why) decides about it? Who started the idea of genocide? How did and does the Western world hide so efficiently the genocides of the XVI-XIX century? And many others.
In other words, it is one of the books that changes the reader. There is no way to not feel impacted. Even, if (almost impossible) one doesn't agree with Sven Lindqvist....more
In this collection, some stories were more interesting, some less. Most of them were a great start for a discussion, about our society, about humans, In this collection, some stories were more interesting, some less. Most of them were a great start for a discussion, about our society, about humans, about law, about guilt, etc.
There wasn't a "wow" for me, yet, the simple style allowed a fast read, concentrating on the story and then on thinking through what I thought about what happened.
It wasn't a fully objective study of Irish Catholic history, I think. The author (like probably most Polish readers) is too deep A very gripping read.
It wasn't a fully objective study of Irish Catholic history, I think. The author (like probably most Polish readers) is too deep in our own Catholic culture to be able to be calm on this topic. Still, Marta Abramowicz didn't hide her opinions, so one could easily separate her anger from facts.
I am not sure you can read it without emotions. I couldn't. The oppressiveness, the unfairness, and the violence were too overwhelming to stay calm. I had to make often breaks in listening to an audiobook.
Ireland got up from her knees, I hope Poland does it too. In Poland, there were no Magdalene Laundries or Industrial schools, and for a half-century of the Polish People's Republic (being one of the Eastern Bloc countries) the Roman Catholic Church was blocked from growing in power, still, for the last three decades the RCC has been trying (with some success) to turn the country back a century or two.
Believe in what you want to, just allow others to do it too.
This book consists of reportages telling the stories of people who lived in the Chech part of Czechoslovakia (independent from 1918 to IIWW, and beingThis book consists of reportages telling the stories of people who lived in the Chech part of Czechoslovakia (independent from 1918 to IIWW, and being a part of the Eastern Bloc until 1989). I knew a little bit about Czechs because it is hard not to know at least something about neighboring countries. Yet, there wasn't much. Now, I know and better feel Chech's soul and their attitude toward life.
I loved the author's wit and the way of storytelling.
Another reportage by Tochman, another genocide. This time the genocide against the Tutsi, occurred in 1994. I like Tochman's style, which is simple toAnother reportage by Tochman, another genocide. This time the genocide against the Tutsi, occurred in 1994. I like Tochman's style, which is simple to the point. He wasn't creating desolation or despair per se, it just is in the book because of the stories of people....more
Wojciech Tochman has his own way of telling the story of real people. His way is rough, without sugaring, yet with melody, and rhythm - that make the Wojciech Tochman has his own way of telling the story of real people. His way is rough, without sugaring, yet with melody, and rhythm - that make the book into an old fairy tale.
It wasn't my first book about Cambodia, what and why happened in the 70s of the XX century, and what consequences it has to this day. Still, every time I remember it, I am totally wretched, angry, and broken.
Is there a sense to read it? Yes, if you don't know about the Khmer Rouge regime - you must catch up. If you know - listen this time to the voices of people mentally ill, that survived the regime to end in cages......more
In the beginning, it was gripping and fascinating. Yet, nearing the middle I got bored. It isn't that it wasn't interesting, I just think that for nowIn the beginning, it was gripping and fascinating. Yet, nearing the middle I got bored. It isn't that it wasn't interesting, I just think that for now, I have enough of the Italians ;-) Perhaps I will read the second half some other day....more
Time travel to the times of (mostly) my young adult years. A few phenomena were outside my bubble, but most I knew and experienced.
I listen to the autTime travel to the times of (mostly) my young adult years. A few phenomena were outside my bubble, but most I knew and experienced.
I listen to the authors' podcasts (most topics in this book they also spoke about in podcasts), yet it was still worth listening to because they gave shorter versions here. (For those who want to know more I recommend listening to the podcasts).
If you love (like me) The Moomins you should definitely read this memoir. In this bunch of short stories from Tove Jansson's childhood, you will find If you love (like me) The Moomins you should definitely read this memoir. In this bunch of short stories from Tove Jansson's childhood, you will find the source of the world she created in her fairy tales. You will also understand why it was possible.
Was Tove Jansson's childhood happy? What about her relationship with her parents? I think that she had a childhood full of magic, although not without feeling loneliness and sadness. But she had a superpower that allowed her to cope with the bitter parts of life and give us characters that will live forever....more
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