Read: 7
BOTM: T. Snyder, The Reconstruction of Nations Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus 1569 - 1999
J. Gleick, The Information
P. Leigh Fermor, The Traveller's Tree
A. Mickiewicz, Pan Tadeusz
S. Nicholls, Bodyguard of Lightening
S. Nicholls, Legion of Thunder
S. Nicholls, Warriors of the tempest
I went to Lithuania at the start of the month, and so read some Lithuanian (maybe Polish really) books. Now, I don't know very much about Lithuanian (or Polish) history, so I cannot comment on the relative standing of Snyder's book, but it was a belter. Engrossing, well told and well constructed, it was one of the most gripping and illuminating books I have read for a long time. Everybody should read it. His conclusions on the impact (ultimately, horribly, almost positive) of Soviet ethnic cleansing and the counter-cultural restraint of Polish leaders in 1990 is astounding, and in some cases uplifting (though coming out of some fairly bleak reading). While his presentation of the role of the medieval in determining the national myth and policy of the post--Soviet states is persuasive, and a warning to those who think that none of this matters any more. It's also really shows why the Lithuanians don't like the Poles, though they have the same national epic.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment