The image of Poland has once again been impressed on European consciousness. Norman Davies provides a key to understanding the modern Polish crisis in this lucid & authoritative description of the nations history. Beginning with the period since 1945 he travels back in time to highlight the long-term themes & traditions which have influenced present attitudes. His evocative account reveals Poland as the heart of Europe in more than the geographical sense. It is a country where Europes ideological conflicts are played out in their most acute form: as recent events have emphasized Polands fate is of vital concern to European civilization as a whole. This revised & updated edition tackles & analyses the issues arising from the fall of the Eastern Block & looks at Polands future within a political climate of democracy & free market.