YEARS OF HOPE: SEPTEMBER 17, 1939 - JULY 5, 1945 BY STANISŁAW CAT-MACKIEWICZ

In 1945, Poland found itself in an abyss of defeat. This happened not only because of bad fate, but also as a result of our own mistakes, the wrong policies of the leaders of our state and the wrong moods of society. So we can wring our hands and claim that we were perfidiously deceived and abandoned by the allies, and this will be true. But what is called "reason of state" does not consist in lamenting ex post over the perversity of the partners, but in the ability to foresee whether the agreements proposed to us will be kept by the contractor or not. And those who undertook to guide our destinies could not only foresee politically, but also think politically.

• Analysis of the policy of Great Britain during the war
• Assessment of the actions taken by the Polish authorities
• Reflections on the purposefulness of the Polish war effort
• Reflections on the consequences of the Warsaw Uprising
• Insightful look at the social mood in post-war Poland

Stanisław Cat-Mackiewicz, the author of this book, was an outstanding Polish publicist, writer and politician. His works are characterized by deep political and social analysis, as well as the courageous expression of his own views. "Years of Hope" is one of his most important works, in which the author undertakes the difficult attempt to assess the situation of Poland during World War II and after its end.

This book is a valuable source of knowledge for all those interested in the history of Poland and Europe in the 20th century. The author, based on his own experiences and observations, presents a comprehensive picture of those times, not avoiding difficult and controversial topics. His political and social analyzes are still relevant and can be an inspiration to reflect on contemporary problems.

Universitas Publishing House, which re-released this book, is known for its care for the high editorial and substantive quality of published items. Thanks to this, the reader receives a carefully prepared edition that will certainly meet his expectations. "Years of Hope" is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand Polish history and politics.

Historians constantly return to the fundamental issues raised by the author, such as the assessment of British policy, the effectiveness of the actions taken by the Polish authorities, or the purposefulness of the Polish war effort, and re-engage in discussions about them. It should also not be overlooked that the book contains numerous valuable reflections and assessments, such as the one concerning the actual effects of the Warsaw Uprising.