The Essential Guide to Being Polish: 50 Facts & Facets of Nationhood Paperback – July 16, 2013

As an American of one-quarter Polish ancestry, I became interested in Poland while researching my genealogy. This in turn led to an enthusiasm for Polish food, literature, and film. I’d been looking for an overview of Polish history, but didn’t really want to tackle one that was too dense or academic. Luckily, I stumbled upon Anna Spysz and Marta Turek’s 2013 book The Essential Guide to Being Polish, which was being offered as a Kindle Daily Deal. This pleasant surprise turned out to be just what I was looking for, plus a lot more.The book provides a broad overview of a thousand years of Polish history and culture, with an emphasis on the state of the nation and its people today. As the subtitle indicates, the book is comprised of 50 chapters, each of which reads like a brief article or encyclopedia entry. These are divided into five parts: Poles in Context (history, language, religion), Poles in Poland (customs, family life, food, drink, holidays), Poles in the Limelight (famous Polish artists, scientists, athletes, etc.), Poles Around the World (the global Polish diaspora), and Poles in a Nutshell (the conclusion, about the “Essence of Polishness”). These chapters resemble the informative sidebars one finds in a Lonely Planet guidebook, only much more in-depth in their coverage, and with the benefit of having been written by native Poles. Authors Spysz and Turek were both born in Poland. Their families moved to the United States when they were young, and then each returned to Poland for college and professional life. They are the perfect guides for the English-language reader hoping for some insight into Polish culture past and present.As Spysz and Turek point out, the development of present Polish identity has largely been shaped by the country’s having survived being constantly attacked and conquered throughout its history. Despite their nation being completely wiped off the map for a couple centuries, Poles tenaciously managed to maintain their national identity. Whether under the tripartite Prussian, Russian, and Austrian partitioning prior to World War I, the Nazi occupation of World War II, or the Communist oppression under the Soviet Union, Poles have stubbornly resisted attempts to quash their Polishness and have emerged triumphantly independent as a proud and hopeful people.The text does get repetitive at times, as the topics of the 50 chapters often overlap. At times it feels like the same few events in Polish history are being relentlessly drilled into you, and prominent figures like Lech Walesa and Marie Sklodowska Curie make frequent appearances. I was a bit disappointed with the chapters on literature and film because they really didn’t tell me a whole lot I didn’t already know. In general, I wish the chapters in the Poles in the Limelight section would have been expanded to include more than just a few key figures, but that criticism is mostly due to my specific personal interests in those areas, as opposed to, say, the economics or politics of Poland, which other readers may prefer.The Essential Guide to Being Polish is an enjoyable read for anyone with an interest in that nation and its people. Those of Polish descent will find in it much fuel for pride. Though far from a typical tourist guide, it is loaded with valuable information for anyone planning to travel to Poland. I don’t know if I’ll ever make it there myself, but Spysz and Turek’s book definitely gave me a better understanding one of my ancestral homelands.

Just bought this book for a trip to Poland. I'd recommend this for anyone planning a visit or of Polish heritage. While I didn't read the whole book, I found it was easy to flip between chapters and it helped enhance my understanding of the places my husband and were visiting - the dragon sculpture by the river at the bottom of Wavelength Hill was explained by this book. It wasn't the most amazing book ever, but I'm glad I bought it and thought it added a lot to our trip!

I bought this book prior to a trip to Poland, so many of the things I was reading about didn't mean much to me. When I got back I opened the book again and was able to find so many places and customs and explanations that I had just experienced, explained to me in fine detail and easy to read. This book has served as a resource to me many times since.

I'm 100% Polish. My grandparents came from Poland. After reading this book, I realized how little I knew about the country.Some parts are very interesting, especially when the author writes about THE PEOPLE. She kind of lost me with the politics and statistics. However, you can't say she left anything out.Interesting read. I'll probably read it again and glean more the second time.

As a first time traveler to Poland I really enjoyed reading this book. My grandparents came from Southeast Portland and this book provided great insight into the complexities of the country, not only the history itself but the impact on the people over time. My respect for the country and its people has increased as a result of reading this book and now day three of my two week trip to the Homeland. Enjoy this book and although I Polin has to offer.

amazing compilation of facts about Poland and its history. really sets off events in Poland against the world stage. helped me understand brexit (too many polish immigrants), WWII, the Russian occupation, Solidarity and the role of the catholic church in Poland. I highly recommend this book. read it cover to cover in 3 days, couldn't put it down!

I ordered the book because of family discussions. Our great grandparents came from Galicia in 1901. We found the book helpful, with many new facts that we never realized. The book is now being circulated among family members. Every one who gets the book says the same thing: "Wow! I didn't think I had a lot to learn about being Polish, but this book showed me I was wrong!"

Such a great review of being Polish, i read it before taking my first trip to Poland. A general, originally-presented overall guide to the country’s steps to becoming who they are today.

A very comprehensive book covering the many and varied aspects of 'Polishness'.Historical events and the background of the country relating to why Poles think and act as they do are investigated.Current changes since the fall of communism and particularly since Poland's entry to the EU and the wider implications thereof are dealt with in some detail; especially regarding Poles living abroad. The chapters on food and some customs provide great interest.As someone who previously spent several years there I found it a fascinating report, and whilst I could not agree with all the views expressed the book is an excellent read and to be recommended.The book however is written from an American perspective and is unclear if the authors have ever actually lived in Poland or are writing from a second or third generation stance.Good value for money, particularly for those considering locating to Poland, but certainly not a tourist guide.

I was a bit worried when buying the book as a gift for my partner that it will be just a bit too silly. He already knew quite a lot about my culture and been to Poland, so I was afraid that the book will cover very 'basic' cultural elements. I was pleasantly surprised when it came and I read it cover to cover, adding my own personal notes, before surprising him with it.It is very well written, entertaining and covering a wide range of topics, from socio-cultural traditions to politics. The only thing I regret is that I wasn't the one to write such a pleasant, informative and easy-to-read book about my country.

I bought this book for my polish friend who girlfirnd is a foreigner for her to better understand polish culture cause it sometimes is hard to explain polish mentality. I think it is a great book! I highly recommend!

My husband loves this books and I as a polish definitely recommend it to read. I didn't give full 5 stars as the book does not contain many pictures, however the content is very good.

Highly recommended