Old Polish Legends

By F.C. Anstruther

Book Overview

In World War II when the long night of German occupation of Poland was at its darkest, a delightful collection of Polish fairy tales, illustrated with handsome engravings by J. Sekalski, was published... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0870520237
• ISBN13: 9780870520235
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: Hippocrene Books
• Length: 66 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.5" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

A book everyone interested in Poland should read

Old Polish Legends, as retold by F. C. Anstruther contains 11 legends that have survived a thousand years. The book is beautifully illustrated with wood-engravings by J. Sekalski.The stories recount the meaning behind Poland's national symbol and flag, about several of its early rulers and first king, and the dragon of Krakow. The stories themselves are entertaining, yet are also very informative in learning about Poland. Additionally, many of the legends take place in actual places that one could visit today.I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about Polish culture. These tales explain what history books cannot. Which elements in the legends are true is left to the reader to question, yet undoubtedly, there is some truth to them.

Old Polish Legends

The legends included in this book explain the White Polish Imperial Eagle, the dislike of German influences and the tradition of the Trumpeter of Krakow (National Geographic also touched on this legend in their documentary of the Mongols and their Kahns). It was easy and enjoyable to read. I recommend this book to those who want to enjoy their heritage and pass these stories on to the next generation.

Stories from Poland, the Heart of Europe

The foreword is written by Zygmunt Nowakowski, a famous Polish writer who sets the perfect tone and background for the stories. He starts us off with some lovely prose and then introduces us to this collection by saying "A Fairy-tale is knocking."This is a very interesting assemblage of legends. Each of the little stories touches on some part of the history of Poland. Every story is complemented by a wood engraving made by J. Sekalski. The engravings give the book a charming Old World feeling. When I visited Poland several of these legends were mentioned in the brochures describing various landmark sites. This book offered me the opportunity to read the entire story in EnglishWith the legends, the reader will learn:1) Why the capital of ancient Poland was called Gniezno and the reason the eagle is the symbol;2) About the downfall of wretched King Popiel;3) How the city of Krakow was named and the evil dragon destroyed;4) Why Queen Wanda threw herself in the Vistula River;5) How the Piasts dynasty was started;6) The story of Mieszko and how Poland became a Catholic country;7) The legend of St. Adalbert;8) The details of Emperor Otto's visit to Gniezno;9) Why King Boleslaw and his Knights are just sleeping;10) The story of two brothers who disobeyed the King;11) and my personal favorite, the tale of the Trumpeter of Krakow and how, to this very day, he continues to inspire the people of Poland.I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good and unusual story, and to all visitors to Poland. If you do have the opportunity to tour the city of Krakow, take a little walk on the wild side, and climb the tower of the Church of the Virgin Mary and stand at the very place where centuries ago, the Trumpeter played the famous hejnal. Yes, it's a long walk to the top, but well worth the effort.