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In Melchior Wankowicz: Poland’s Master of the Written Word, Aleksandra Ziolkowska-Boehm examines the life and writing of famous Polish writer Melchior Wankowicz, author of legendary work “The Battle of Monte Cassino”. Acclaimed by his readers and critics alike, Melchior Wankowicz was famous for creating his theory of reportage, i.e. the “mosaic method” where the events of many people were implanted into the life of one person. Melchior Wankowicz put into words the beautiful, tragic and heroic events of Polish history that provided a form of sustenance for a people that thrive on patriotism and love of their country. Wankowicz’s books shaped national consciousness, glorified the heroism of the Polish soldier. Later in his life, Wankowicz personally set an example by standing up to the Communist party that brought him to trail for his work. In this book, Ziolkowska-Boehm offers a critical examination of Wankowicz’s work informed by her experiences as his private secretary. Her access to the author’s personal archives shed new light on the life and work of the man considered by many to be “the father of Polish reportage.”
An autobiography unlike other literary forms shows the ego of an author. Aleksandra Ziolkowska-Boehm’s ego is delicate, fascinating, and courageous. Some fragments are almost like a movie with interesting dialog, compelling moments, and realistic characters. Vividly portrayed are dedicated and devoted parents who instilled a love for reading and books that formed the foundation for her career. Detailed descriptions of coping with the rigors of achieving an advanced education, career start, and caring, rearing and devoting love to a young son are outstanding.
On temporary assignment in Houston, Texas, at the start of 1998, Aleksandra and her husband, Norman, never expected that their lives would be changed forever when a small, chocolate-gold-black, stray cat stalked into the apartment complex where they were living and adopted them. Suzy soon became a key family member and travels extensively with the author. In a life full of animals, Suzy's owners have had to confront many of the dilemmas that cat ownership entails. This is the story of a deepening relationship between a couple and their cat, written by an award-winning author and filled with insightful comments about cat behavior and the nature of the human-feline bond. The episodes in this book will delight and inform other "cat people" and will leave readers with a new understanding of the way interactions with animals transform our lives.
Internationally renowned actress Ingrid Bergman was of Swedish and German descent, though she was known by the majority as Swedish. Three times an Oscar recipient, especially known for Casablanca, Murder on the Orient Express, Gaslight, Notorious, and Anastasia, she is considered one of the greatest actresses of all time. Though she hailed from Europe, she also had relatives in the United States. Ingrid kept in close contact with her aunt Blenda, her father’s sister, as well as Blenda’s son Carl and grandson Norman. Ingrid and Norman exchanged letters and met in different locations throughout the USA, France, and England. This book chronicles her relationship with her American relatives through original letters and recollections of Ingrid’s American cousin Norman.
Kaia, Heroine of the 1944 Warsaw Rising tells the story of one woman, whose life encompasses a century of Polish history. Full of tragic and compelling experiences such as life in Siberia, Warsaw before World War II, the German occupation, the Warsaw Rising, and life in the Soviet Ostashkov prison, Kaia was deeply involved with the battle that decimated Warsaw in 1944 as a member of the resistance army and the rebuilding of the city as an architect years later. Kaia's father was expelled from Poland for conspiring against the Russian czar. She spent her early childhood near Altaj Mountain and remembered Siberia as a "paradise". In 1922, the family returned to free Poland, the train trip taki...
A full understanding of the historical process must include studies of the social and economic conditions of societies as well as biographies of the people on which a clear understanding of history is based—but not just the “great” people. Biographies of “average” individuals, who exist in a society, have their own experiences and are acted upon by their surrounding environments, are essential to a clear and complete understanding of the past and its influence on the present. In this respect, Aleksandra Ziolkowska-Boehm has made a major contribution to furthering the understanding of World War II, and especially the part played by Poland and Poles, with her compilation of individua...
This is a story of a young lad who chose college far away from his small home town of Washington, NJ. He worked in the oil industry for 16 years in Saudi Arabia, 4 years in London, England, and 3 years in Stavanger, Norway. 23 years of exposure to the world’s diverse cultures and peoples gave him an unwavering respect and admiration for all citizens of the world. This book is a recollection of the events, thoughts, and experiences of Boehm’s transformative travels abroad. It contains stories of classical piano lessons, learning to fly a small single engine aircraft, and meeting with his distant relative, the world famous movie actress Ingrid Bergman. This memoir honors the remarkable life of a man full of adventure and travel all over the world.
Internationally renowned actress Ingrid Bergman was of Swedish and German descent, though she was known by the majority as Swedish. Three times an Oscar recipient, especially known for Casablanca, Murder on the Orient Express, Gaslight, Notorious, and Anastasia, she is considered one of the greatest actresses of all time. Though she hailed from Europe, she also had relatives in the United States. Ingrid kept in close contact with her aunt Blenda, her father's sister, as well as Blenda's son Carl and grandson Norman. Ingrid and Norman exchanged letters and met in different locations throughout the USA, France, and England. This book chronicles her relationship with her American relatives through original letters and recollections of Ingrid's American cousin Norman.
In Polish Hero Roman Rodziewicz: Fate of a Hubal Soldier in Auschwitz, Buchenwald, and Postwar England, Aleksandra Ziolkowska-Boehm traces the remarkable and tragic tale of Roman Rodziewicz, a true Polish hero of the Second World War. Roman’s childhood was spent in Manchuria where his father, first deported to Siberia, later worked as an engineer for a Chinese company. Following the loss of his parents early in life after returning to free Poland, Roman was trained to manage a self-sufficient estate farming and producing various livestock, vegetables, and honey. Prior to the German invasion of Poland, Roman attended military school at the Suwalki Cavalry Brigade. After the surrender of the...
The Polish Experience through World War II explores Polish history through the lives of people touched by the war. The touching and terrible experiences of these people are laid bare by straightforward, first-hand accounts, including not only the hardships of deportation and concentration and refugee camps, but also the price paid by the officers killed or taken as prisoners during WWII and the families they left behind. Ziolkowska-Boehm reveals the difficulties of these women and children when, having lost their husbands and fathers, their travails take them through Siberia, Persia, India, and then Africa, New Zealand, or Mexico. Ziolkowska-Boehm recounts the experiences of individuals who ...