Written by a Brit who has lived in Poland for more than twenty years, this book challenges some accepted thinking in the West about Poland and about the rise of Law and Justice (PiS) as the ruling party in 2015. It is a remarkable account of the Polish post-1989 transition and contemporary politics, combining personal views and experience with careful fact and material collections. The result is a vivid description of the events and scrupulous explanations of the political processes, and all this with an interesting twist – a perspective of a foreigner and insider at the same time. Settled in the position of participant observer, Jo Harper combines the methods of macro and micro analysis with CDA, critical discourse analysis. He presents and interprets the constituent elements and issues of contemporary Poland: the main political forces, the Church, the media, issues of gender, the Russian connection, the much-disputed judicial reform and many others. A special feature of the book is the detailed examination of the coverage of the Poland’s latest two elections, one in 2019 (parliamentary) and the other in 2020 (presidential) in the British media, an insightful and witty specimen of comparative cultural and political analysis.

From Warsaw with Love is the epic story of how Polish intelligence officers forged an alliance with the CIA in the twilight of the Cold War, told by the award-winning author John Pomfret. Spanning decades and continents, from the battlefields of the Balkans to secret nuclear research labs in Iran and embassy grounds in North Korea, this saga begins in 1990. As the United States cobbles together a coalition to undo Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait, six US officers are trapped in Iraq with intelligence that could ruin Operation Desert Storm if it is obtained by the brutal Iraqi dictator. Desperate, the CIA asks Poland, a longtime Cold War foe famed for its excellent spies, for help. Just months after the Polish people voted in their first democratic election since the 1930s, the young Solidarity government in Warsaw sends a veteran ex-Communist spy who’d battled the West for decades to rescue the six Americans. John Pomfret’s gripping account of the 1990 cliffhanger in Iraq is just the beginning of the tale about intelligence cooperation between Poland and the United States, cooperation that one CIA director would later describe as “one of the two foremost intelligence relationships that the United States has ever had.” Pomfret uncovers new details about the CIA’s black site program that held suspected terrorists in Poland after 9/11 as well as the role of Polish spies in the hunt for Osama bin Laden. In the tradition of the most memorable works on espionage, Pomfret’s book tells a distressing and disquieting tale of moral ambiguity in which right and wrong, black and white, are not conveniently distinguishable. As the United States teeters on the edge of a new cold war with Russia and China, Pomfret explores how these little-known events serve as a reminder of the importance of alliances in a dangerous world.

The love saga continues with West of Warsaw, the second book of suspense, romance, and adventure as seen through the eyes of E. J. Harris, author and storyteller. Joseph and Eva escape the Nazis only to be placed in slave labor camps in Russia where they are blessed with the arrival of a baby. Once they survive the ordeal, they make it back to Poland where they are met with total devastation and hate. Undaunted--having no money, just dreams and a burning desire to survive and prosper--they make it to North America. Once here, the love of family and determination to succeed culminate in a wonderful existence for all of them. Enjoy the commanding characters, some of whom are still alive today! The continuing journey spans from the turbulent 1960s to the bountiful 1980s. This family of dreamers and dream-makers has finally arrived!

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Discover this fascinating country with the most incisive and entertaining guidebook on the market. Whether you plan to wander through Krakow's magnificent medieval Old Town, hike in the Tatra Mountains or relax on the Baltic coast, The Rough Guide to Poland will show you the ideal places to sleep, eat, drink, shop and visit along the way. - Independent, trusted reviews written with Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and insight, to help you get the most out of your visit, with options to suit every budget. - Full-colour maps throughout - navigate the cobbled alleys of Lublin or Warsaw's New Town without needing to get online - Stunning images - a rich collection of inspiring colour photography. - Things not to miss - Rough Guides' rundown of Poland's best sights and experiences. - Itineraries - carefully planned routes to help you organize your trip. -Detailed regional coverage - whether off the beaten track or in more mainstream tourist destinations, this travel guide has in-depth practical advice for every step of the way. Areas covered include: Warsaw, Mazovia and Lodz, the Bay of Gdansk and the Wisla Delta, Torun, Mazuria and Podlasie, Lublin, Zamosc, the Polish Carpathians, Krakow and Malopolska, the Tatras and the Pieniny, Upper Silesia, Wroclaw and Lower Silesia, Wielkopolska, Pomerania. Attractions include: the Mazurian Lakes; wooden churches near Zakopane; Auschwitz-Birkenau; Malbork Castle; Kazimierz Dolny; Slowinski national park; Wieliczka Salt Mine; Bialowieza national park; Bieszczady national park; Rynek Glowny, Krakow, and much more. -Basics - essential pre-departure practical information including getting there, local transport, accommodation, food and drink, health, the media, festivals, sports and outdoor activities and more. - Background information - a Contexts chapter devoted to history, books, music and film, plus a handy language section and glossary. Make the Most of Your Time on Earth with The Rough Guide to Poland