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Norman Davies

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God's Playground: A History of Poland, Vol. 1: The Origins to 1795 Paperback – May 31, 2005

by Norman Davies (Author)

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The most comprehensive survey of Polish history available in English, God's Playground demonstrates Poland's importance in European history from medieval times to the present. Abandoning the traditional nationalist approach to Polish history, Norman Davies instead stresses the country's rich multinational heritage and places the development of the Jewish German, Ukrainian, and Lithuanian communities firmly within the Polish context.

Davies emphasizes the cultural history of Poland through a presentation of extensive poetical, literary, and documentary texts in English translation. In each volume, chronological chapters of political narrative are interspersed with essays on religious, social, economic, constitutional, philosophical, and diplomatic themes.

This new edition has been revised and fully updated with two new chapters to bring the story to the end of the twentieth century.

Print length

638 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Columbia University Press
Publication date

May 31, 2005
Dimensions

6.1 x 1.1 x 9.2 inches
ISBN-10

0231128177
ISBN-13

978-0231128179
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The standard work on the subject in English.... [Davies] writes with commanding dexterity and a confident, at times almost swaggering, intelligence as he balances narrative and analysis." -- "Atlantic Monthly"

"The standard work on the subject in English.... [Davies] writes with commanding dexterity and a confident, at times almost swaggering, intelligence as he balances narrative and analysis." -- Atlantic Monthly

"The standard work on the subject in English.... ÝDavies¨ writes with commanding dexterity and a confident, at times almost swaggering, intelligence as he balances narrative and analysis." -- "Atlantic Monthly"

"The standard work on the subject in English.... [Davies] writes with commanding dexterity and a confident, at times almost swaggering, intelligence as he balances narrative and analysis." -- "Atlantic Monthly"

About the Author

Norman Davies is chair of the history department, School of Slavonic and East European Studies, at the University of London.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Columbia University Press; Revised edition (May 31, 2005)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 638 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0231128177
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0231128179
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.58 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.1 x 1.1 x 9.2 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #246,097 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #624 in Russian History (Books)
- #3,987 in European History (Books)

Customer Reviews:
63 ratings

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Norman Davies

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Norman Davies C. M. G., F. B. A. is Professor Emeritus of the University of London, a Supernumerary Fellow of Wolfson College, Oxford, and the author of several books on Polish and European history, including God's Playground, White Eagle, Red Star, The Isles, Europe, and Microcosm.

Customer reviews

5 star		83%
4 star		8%
3 star		7%
2 star 0% (0%)		0%
1 star		2%

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Connie H. Cherry

Extensive History

Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2013

Verified Purchase

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.

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

Olga Gromadzka

great condition, great packaging

Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2020

Verified Purchase

Thank you! 100% recommend and will definitely buy again.

Helpful

VWitmer

The best book on Polish history

Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2013

Verified Purchase

This is a fantastic book on a very difficult subject. It's a joy for a longtime reader of history. Sometimes I laugh out loud, which seems appropriate to Polish mindset and endurance. Warning: it's a slow read if you're trying to sort out all the important personages.

9 people found this helpful

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Josie Belinsky

This book was purchased for my brother and he really enjoyed it. A history buff

Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2018

Verified Purchase

The details were exceptional. It covered all of Europes history. This book was purchased for my brother and he really enjoyed it. A history buff.

One person found this helpful

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John

What might have been...

Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2010

Verified Purchase

A fascinating expertly researched and written study of the growth of a culture and nation much ignored and unknown to Western readers. In many ways the
Godparent of the American Democracy, Poland failed to achieve what the U.S.A.
has for many reasons. A melting pot culture with the basic Political concept of a free society for many of it's citizens, Poland reached the high water mark in the mid 17th Century. Its decline and fall is told in great detail by Mr. Davies
and should probably be required reading all U.S. schools.

10 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2016

Verified Purchase

Thoroughly enjoyable interesting

3 people found this helpful

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DV

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2017

Verified Purchase

Dr. Davies is very knowledgeable. I found this a "go to" book for information.

2 people found this helpful

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Monkeyjewelry

This is a large volume and have begun the read ...

Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2014

Verified Purchase

This is a large volume and have begun the read of Polish history. Alas not finished, it's the kind if book for me that I will read from time to time until I finish .

3 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Christine Knapton

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 30, 2017

Verified Purchase

good

Matthew Lerner

Excellent look at Polish history

Reviewed in Canada on June 25, 2020

Verified Purchase

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).

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.

Sylwester Banbula

Five Stars

Reviewed in Canada on July 27, 2016

Verified Purchase

good book fast delivery

Austen

Essential Poland

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 6, 2013

Verified Purchase

As a Brit living in Poland I consider this the definitive history anyone with the slightest connection to Poland should read, but you must buy both Volume 1 and volume 2 for the complete 1000 year story of a stoic and valiant people who country in the middle of Europe that has been overrun by Swedes, Mongols, Tartars, Russians, Austrians, Germans and more, and in fact disappeared for 150 years.

Andrew

Five Stars

Reviewed in Canada on July 15, 2016

Verified Purchase

very good

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God's Playground: A History of Poland, Vol. 1: The Origins to 1795 Paperback – May 31, 2005

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Norman Davies

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