Review by Moon Mullins
The book reads like a political thriller and is interesting from front to back. Anything to do with Polish Leaders from WWII or the Polish armed forces from that era is bound to be clouded by the facts that the Polish people and Nation were abandoned by the British, and French as Hitler started his political campaign to take over Poland, quickly followed by his military campaign to do the same.
The author strikes a unique perspective as he is a Polish American! As his introduction details, he sees the death of Sikorski as akin to the assassination of JFK! It is an important historical marker for all Poles.
The target audience for this book is American and UK readers. Most Americans are not that well-versed in the history of the Polish-Soviet struggles. The relationship between Poland and Russia has been marked by a complex history of conflict, cooperation, and mutual suspicion. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, these two nations were often at odds, with their geopolitical interests and historical grievances leading to numerous clashes.
In the 19th century, Poland was partitioned among Russia, Prussia, and Austria, effectively erasing the Polish state from the map. The Poles did not passively accept their fate and staged several uprisings against their Russian overlords, hoping to restore Polish independence.
The 20th century brought renewed conflict between Poland and Russia. The Polish-Soviet War (1918-1921) was a crucial event that shaped the geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe. Poland emerged victorious, securing its eastern border and recognizing its independence. However, World War II brought renewed suffering to Poland, as it was invaded by both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.
After World War II, Poland became a Soviet satellite state, aligned with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The Polish people chafed under Communist rule, and the Solidarity movement emerged in the 1980s, challenging Soviet dominance. Eventually, Poland achieved a peaceful transition to democracy and became a NATO member.
Despite the historical tensions, Poland and Russia have also experienced periods of cooperation. In recent years, there have been efforts to improve relations between the two countries, but the legacy of past conflicts continues to cast a long shadow.
This book focuses on the controversy surrounding the death of Sikorsky. Was the British government involved? Was there a cover-up? If neither of these are true then why delay the release of the classified documents related to the case?
The circumstances surrounding General Władysław Sikorski’s death in 1943 have been a subject of controversy and speculation for decades. While official investigations concluded that his death was an accident, various theories have persisted suggesting that it was a deliberate act, possibly involving the British government, the Soviet Union, or even Polish factions within Sikorski’s own exiled government. These theories often point to potential motives such as Sikorski’s growing criticism of the British government or his opposition to Soviet influence in post-war Poland. Despite numerous investigations and theories, there has been no definitive evidence to support the claims of a conspiracy. The official investigations have consistently concluded that the plane crash that killed Sikorski was an accident. The historical context of Sikorski’s death is crucial to understanding the surrounding theories. He was a prominent figure in Polish politics, and his death occurred at a time of significant geopolitical shifts and tensions. I look forward to reading more from this author.
The book is 296 Pages, in 6 x 9 format with 16 monochrome illustrations. Available at casemate publishing, https://www.casematepublishers.com/9781399039222/the-death-of-general-sikorski/ and amazon, https://www.amazon.com/Death-General-Sikorski-Leaders-Tangled/dp/1399039229
About the Author. PETER ZABLOCKI was born in Poland and emigrated to the United States as a young child. His curiosity about anything history led him to study history in college and eventually earn an M.A. in American History. After graduate school, Zablocki became an educator, teaching college-level Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses in American History, European History, Military History, and Research. Peter is an author of numerous non-fiction books and won NJSAA’s award for New Jersey Non-Fiction Book of the Year in 2021. He and his family live in New Jersey. For more information, please visit: www.peterzablocki.com
