On August 1; 1944; Miron Białoszewski; later to gain renown as one of Poland’s most innovative poets; went out to run an errand for his mother and ran into history. With Soviet forces on the outskirts of Warsaw; the Polish capital revolted against five years of Nazi occupation; an uprising that began in a spirit of heroic optimism. Sixty-three days later it came to a tragic end. The Nazis suppressed the insurgents ruthlessly; reducing Warsaw to rubble while slaughtering some 200;000 people; mostly through mass executions. The Red Army simply looked on.Białoszewski’s blow-by-blow account of the uprising brings it alive in all its desperate urgency. Here we are in the shoes of a young man slipping back and forth under German fire; dodging sniper bullets; collapsing with exhaustion; rescuing the wounded; burying the dead. An indispensable and unforgettable act of witness; A Memoir of the Warsaw Uprising is also a major work of literature. Białoszewski writes in short; stabbing; splintered; breathless sentences attuned to “the glaring identity of ‘now.’†His pages are full of a white-knuckled poetry that resists the very destruction it records.Madeline G. Levine has extensively revised her 1977 translation; and passages that were unpublishable in Communist Poland have been restored.
#346130 in Books 2013-12-03 2013-12-03Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 12.30 x 1.30 x 10.40l; 5.60 #File Name: 1588344592360 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Beautiful and intelligentBy Mary Beth EarlyGorgeous color plates and highly detailed informative text. I love the cover image with the sun and moon in Krishna's eyes. The history of yoga is quite rich. The several contributors have different viewpoints that provide important details. The notations about the various plates provide perspective that one might not easily reach by just looking at the pictures. As I am getting deeper into the book I am loving it more. The plates are so detailed and the commentary so informed. The history of "yoga" is a deeply intricate subject with many strands explored with astonishing depth by the many contributors.I have many other books on yoga in my library. This one was recommended to me by a friend and a senior Iyengar teacher; who said it was more valuable than actually seeing the exhibit. She is wise; and I agree.3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Much; much more than a catalog.By Richard SmithThis is the catalog of the art show (described in the New York Review of books as "amazing') that is visiting Washington D.C;; San Francisco and Cleveland Museum of Art in 2014. However; this book is much; much more than a catalog. It is a stunning; complete; stand-alone book that covers the history of yoga from its beginnings to modern day. The book is a work of art in itself; beautifully printed in Italy. The articles that accompany the artwork are far beyond the usual descriptions that one usually finds in art 'catalogs.' To date; I have bought three copies of this astonishing book -- and given away two (both to yoga teachers with extensive yoga libraries). Their reaction has been rapturous. Every week when I see them; this book is the first thing they mention. The first words of the first article in the book (by Debra Diamond; the Associate Curator of South and Southeast Asian art at the Freeer/Sackler galleries at the Smithsonian -- and the driving force behind the art exhibition and this book) are: "Yoga emerged in India as a means to transcend suffering." With those words; the journey through this book begins --- and what an incredible; delightful; unforgettable journey it is. You will not regret buying this book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Astounding quality.By Laura StoneFrom front to back the number of plates and quality is very unusual. I have many art books but this tops the list.The similarity of this work to Persian miniatures open up better understanding of history and cultural relationshipsthat is very fascinating to someone looking for all the links. I can not review the text since I've only begun. This is my new most favorite book. Congratulations to Debra Diamond and publisher.
