The Meaning and Uses of Polish History
Adam Bromke is right in stressing the importance of history (fact and myth) as a central factor in Polish politics. The first part of his book is an extended essay on this theme, a personal statement in many respects and also a review of Poland's current dilemmas in the light of the past; here he takes the occasion to revert to an idea prominent in some of his earlier works, the alternation or cycle of idealism and realism. The second part of the book is an appendix containing pertinent Polish writings from before World War I (Roman Dmowski) to the present day (John Paul II).
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