Welcome to CR's Spring 2011 Issue!
Books, books and more books. There are a great many books coming out about Poland - its past, its vibrant present, and its promising future. We have great reviews of some of these books. And we have more: A feature on Polish-Arabian horses; on the Middle East and Pope John Paul II’s mission of peace to war torn Lebanon; about energy; about our very challenging language; and yes, about mathematics and Polish culture. continue
The Arabian Horses of Poland:
Once Again the Wellspring for the Greatest Arabian Horses in the World
Their story is told in "Path to Glory," a film that will premiere in the US in April and in Poland in August. Justine Jablonska interviews directors Jen Miller and Sophie Pegrum.
King Coal, Big Oil and the Dangerous Allure of Shale
There are many motives behind this race to the center of the Earth: money; energy independence; and even the fame that comes with pushing technological limits further. In themselves they are not evil, but where do these pursuits end - and where does the threshold of Inferno begin?
The Pope of Hope,
the Holy Pope
This May, Pope John Paul II will be beatified, following the recognition of his first miracle. The month of May also marks the 14th anniversary of the pastoral visit of the Pope to Lebanon – a country whose religious diversity dragged it into a bloody and destructive civil war that lasted fifteen years.
Hollywood’s War with Poland, 1939-1945: A Review
While Poland fought a war with both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, Hollywood launched its own propaganda war – on the side of Stalin. Piotr Wrobel reviews a remarkable study of some very nasty realpolitik.
303 Squadron - The Legendary Battle of Britain Fighter Squadron: A Review
Aquila Polonica’s beautiful new edition of the 1942 classic is attracting attention not only as a “real time” tour de force, but it’s filling a great need. No less a magazine than the Atlantic Monthly, or Flying Magazine for that matter, wonder why they never knew about these heroic Polish airmen.
Timothy Snyder's "Bloodlands" - A Visit to Montreal
The Yale historian’s new book, "Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin," is about the 14 million civilian deaths in the area between Berlin and Moscow at the hands of Hitler and Stalin in the space of 12 years. Western historians have been silent on this subject for far too long.
The Origins of Modern Polish Democracy: A Review
A new book from Ohio University Press presents a much-needed survey and appreciation of Poland’s deep-rooted democratic traditions.
In Siberia, nature transcended Gulag; the earth and the sky were eternal while the Soviet regime, with its warped theories and senseless cruelties, was transitory. “We regarded them as a transient evil, a physical, brutal power which must sooner or later wither away.”
Books in Brief: The Peasant Prince; "In the Name of Their Mothers;" Katyn:The Untold Story Of Stalin's Polish Massacre
If you can’t say it, and you can’t spell it, can you remember it?
Mathematics and Polish National Identity
In 1918, the noted Polish mathematician, Zygmunt Janiszewski argued that Poland’s existence would continue through the ideas of talented Polish mathematicians. Joseph Pomianowski agrees, noting that Janiszewski’s Fundamenta Mathematicae contributed both to mathematics and to the revival of Polish national culture.
Canada-US friendship was recently celebrated at a ball at which the special guest was Lech Wałęsa. At first glance, this may seem a surprising mix but, on closer examination, bringing together three countries long known for their strong defense of freedom and human rights is the most natural thing in the world.
Three city dailies finally learn some basic history – and geography
Yes, those WWII death camps really were Germany’s camps, whether in Germany itself or in countries Nazi Germany occupied. If there were a “Teacher of the Year” award, it would certainly go to KF’s president, Alex Storozynski.
MA programme in Euroculture at Jagiellonian University
Karolina Czerska, an alumna from the first cohort of PitR back in 2004 set off for Krakow in the fall of that year to study at Jagiellonian University, specifically the Erasmus Mundus Master of Arts EUROCULTURE program. Now, she sends us information on how others can study at this program.
