The Essential Guide to Being Polish: 50 Facts & Facets of Nationhood

About this book

Being Polish is no joke. For ten million people of Polish ancestry in the United States as well as many who have settled in the UK since the fall of communism it is a heartfelt matterand amid all the travel guides and guides to Polish language folklore and customs there is no single comprehensive reader-friendly and yet ever-informative reference on what it means to be Polish. Enter The Essential Guide to Being Polishthe go-to concise resource for anyone looking to reconnect with their culture or indeed hoping that their friends children or colleagues learn something about their heritage. 
 Divided into three sections to make for an easy-to-follow formatPoland in Context Poles in Poland and Poles Abroadthis guide covers just about everything and does so in a style that is at once entertaining and informative: the countrys history and geography wars Jews in Poland the communist past the post-communist past and present language kings and queens religion/Catholicism (with special focus on Pope John Paul II) holidays food and drink. What is a real Polish wedding all about? That too is addressed succinctly and with flair in this guide. Other chapters cover literature music art famous scientists Polish men and Polish women Poles in America Poles in the UK Poles and the EU and last but not least Polish pride.