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Informationen zum Autor Aleksandra Ziolkowska-Boehm, an independent scholar, is the author of many books and the recipient of numerous literary awards, including a fellowship in literature from the Delaware Divisions of Arts and a Fulbright scholarship. Klappentext In Polish Hero Roman Rodziewicz, Aleksandra Ziolkowska-Boehm presents the fascinating and tragic real-life story of a Polish soldier and partisan hero, Roman Rodziewicz. Rodziewicz's life takes the reader from Manchuria to Poland, enlistment in the Polish army, service with the famous partisan leader Major Hubal, capture and torture by the Germans, and imprisonment first at Auschwitz and then Buchenwald. I read this book about a Hubal soldier in one breath with delight. It will make such a wonderful contribution to a greater national recognition of what transpired during the difficult war years. It is a story that shouldn't be forgotten, and I think Ziolkowska-Boehm has done extremely well in providing a vivid picture of what was taking place. -- Zbigniew Brzezinski, John Hopkins University and Center for Strategic and International Studies, Former National Security Advisor to President Carter Recent Polish history abounds with heroic people and deeds, and it is a noble task of talented writers to tell their stories. Aleksandra Ziolkowska-Boehm takes a prominent place among them. In a fascinating, lucid narration she tells us about another hero, Roman Rodziewicz, born 1913 of Polish parents. His first 10 years were spent in Manchuria; in 1923 he repatriated to Poland. After the outbreak of WWII, he volunteered to join the first guerrilla unit of major "Hubal" Dobrzanski, and served with him until his commander's death. Later on, he distinguished himself in many clandestine actions. Imprisoned by the Nazis Germans, he was liberated by the U.S. Army and spent the rest of his colorful life in England where, now 100 years old, he resides. Ziolkowska-Boehm's book represents a first-hand account of his heroic life. -- Jerzy Krzyzanowski, Ohio State University Aleksandra Ziolkowska-Boehm has done it again- another fine book about Polish courage and character. Polish Hero Roman Rodziewicz carries Roman Rodziewicz- and us-from Japanese-occupied Manchuria in the 1930s to the German invasion of Poland in 1939, and from the unspeakable horrors of Auschwitz to, finally, the life of a brave Polish survivor in postwar Great Britain. It is a story of earthshaking, violent events but also a very personal story of courage, patriotism and lost love. -- Stanley Cloud and Lynne Olson, authors of A Question of Honor: The Kosciuszko Squadron-Forgotten Heroes of World War II Among all European wars, World War II stands out, and will always do so, as the most significant and meaningful conflict since the Western tradition stood firm against Orientalism at Actium. It was no mere struggle over borders, but rather a conflict of ideas: of humanism versus barbarism. But the victory of the Allies, while reemphasizing liberal democracy and respect for the human individual over the Hitlerite system of dehumanizing racial exploitation, did not signify a victory for the entire continent. For Poland, the first country of all to stand up to the Nazis in 1939, liberation in 1945 was a hollow phrase, and resulted in merely the replacement of one totalitarianism with another. Aleksandra Ziolkowska-Boehm's new book, Polish Hero Roman Rodziewicz is important in that it brings to the English reader the full diapason of the Polish situation before, during, and after the conflict. It is a welcome addition to the American library of World War II history, told, as always, in the inimitable and engaging prose of a true master of reportage. -- Charles S. Kraszewski, Kings College and The Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences Inhaltsverzeichnis Foreword by Matt DeLaMaterAcknowledgmentsPrefaceChapter 1. Early Life in ManchuriaChapter 2. Japanese OccupationChapter 3. Fina...