In 1914, when World War I broke out, the question of Poland’s independence once again became a concern for all of Europe. Regained in 1918, that independence acted as the founding myth for between-the-wars sovereign Poland – a nation that would fall victim to totalitarianisms, but would be reborn in 1989. The author looks back over this rich and troubled history, enhancing the historical presentation with original considerations about the clashing memories that define the country’s political and cultural conflicts.

Georges Mink offers readers both historical and socio-political analysis of the last 100 years of Polish history.