God's Playground: A History of Poland, Vol. 2: 1795 to the Present

Sentence in 1st chapter of Volume II: "The proliferating profusion of possible political permutations among the pullulating peoples and parties of the Polish provinces in this period palpably prevented the propagation of permanent pacts between potential partners."Sentence in last chapter: "What really mattered was that no one questioned the march to full democracy and a market economy and that two Presidents with very different connections held the pullulating panoply of parties together."Vol II is less well-edited than Vol I. Typos and writerly constructions like this made it through. There are numerous references to "(see pp 000)." Unusually, the last chapter is relatively error-free, although Davies references this book in the 3rd person at least 2 or 3 times.On the positive side, readers will learn a great deal. In Chapter One, there is a thorough discussion on nationalism; much more than the kneejerk dismissals of Western liberals or "my side's better than your side" of xenophobic right-wingers. This is one of the few books dealing with Russia and Poland that actually discusses the Pale of Settlement in detail as well as placing the Tsarist Russia in context to contemporary governments and the atrocity which replaced it.I like the way Vol 2 is organized. Vol 1 was strictly chronological; but Vol 2 is ordered in a kind of subject-chronological manner which I find more readable. There are chapters on the people, church, nobles, Jews, minorities, each of the partitions, emigrant life, and so on. The last chapter seems to have been added after the initial publication by a more mature and polished author.As a British author he can't be expected to know every aspect but he missed an interesting anecdote. Davies mentions the large immigration to southern Texas and northern Mexico in the 1800s, but doesn't follow through. Those in northern Mexico and the SW US are familiar with the oompa loompa music blaring from beat-up truck stereos - Tejano. What many don't know, unless you listen closely, is that it is heavily influenced by Polka music. Once you hear it, you'll never not hear the connection again with the accordions and the brass. The bass, beats, and backing music are often straight Polka while the top layers are Spanish-influenced.

Norman Davies is the most authoritative English speaking author on Polish history in the world. Davies, more than any other author, has earned the right to tell the Polish story to the entire world. He corrects many myths and mis-truths introduced to the English speaking world by Polands 3 powerful political opponents: the Germans, Jews, and Russians.Other interesting facts: The Polish deciphered the Enigma Code and listened to secret German communications even before the initial 1939 invasion (the popular movie Imitation Game is the sequel, so to speak, to this history).Early Polish history is absolutely fascinating. Freedom of speech and religion in the 1500's. Two houses of congress and an elected "King". Never would have guessed!The most common version of the German invasion of Poland in September 1939 shows the Polish Cavalry getting decimated by German tanks in a humiliating defeat. How about pointing out that the Germans suffered 16,000 casualties and 75,000 wounded in the opening campaign of the war? I didn't know that the Germans took such a licking when they went into Poland, until reading Davies book.

Norman Davies is a great author who researches thoroughly and writes effectively. This book, God's Playground, gives the reader a great overview of Poland from 1795. I was particularly interested in Poland's 20 years of independence following the Polish-Soviet War and Poland during the World War II era. I recommend this book to historians and others who are interested in Polish history.

Probably the best Poland's history ever written. Recomended for anyone to learn about the country of Poland history that was either twisted by soviets or ignored and hidden by western countries. It was written by ouysider Norman Davies, the man that not only understands polish history but also feels it. So far only he could do that. This book is one of most important doccuments of Polish history that helps you understand it. RECOMENDED.

Davies provides a detailed and extensive history of Poland. Definitely a must for serious "students" of Polish history. Might be a bit much for a casual interest reader. Still, would give it a try if you want to learn more about Poland.

As advertized.

Did a great service to the hapless country of Poland by researching its sad history of occupation by nearby powers. It is too bad, though, that the reading of it is so difficult.

Difficult book to read. It's pretty much a history text, but very accurate and unbiased.

Davies doesn't strictly organize the book chronologically. While that is how it is set up for good portions of the books, he also has chapters on specific themes (religion, nobility, peasantry, politics, etc). This works really well in helping to give context to events, and allows for a broader look at Poland. He writes really well, and makes good use of primary sources throughout (including Polish originals, which is nice). This edition does feel rushed in his description of Solidarity and the post-Communist era, but that can be forgiven being that it is all relatively new and hasn't been contextualized from a historic viewpoint (though he makes good observations about the future of Poland that fit in with what's going on now).I also found it funny that Davies' referenced himself (without naming himself) and the book itself, in the updated section, noting that the book was clandestinely translated in the 1980s, and served as an updated history of Poland that came out right when Poland was in the world conscience. This wasn't a full-out exaggeration either, as the books have been used in Polish schools as a textbook for the past several years.I will critique the publisher though, as the text was not that clear, and the maps and diagrams were all but useless as a result, but having seen the 1980 version I know that was an issue with this printing.

IAM ONLY PART WAY through the later chapters of the book. I found it inyeresting and pleasant to read but was surprised and disappointedby the number of typos from so distinguished a publisher.

Good series by Norman Davies to give a good intro into Polish history.