Armchair Travel: Poland

In 1794, Jabez Ricker traded his land in Alfred to the local Shaker community for property in present-day Poland. Shortly after his arrival, travelers came looking for a place to stay, and the Ricker family began its first inn. In 1844, Hiram Ricker, a grandson of Jabez, discovered the curative powers of the mineral spring on the property and began to share the water with family and friends. Within another half century, sales of the water prompted...

Since its beginnings, Poland has been a moving target, geographically as well as demographically, and the very definition of who is a Pole has been in flux. In the late medieval and early modern periods, the country grew to be the largest in continental Europe, only to be later wiped off the map for more than a century. The Polish phoenix that rose out of the ashes of World War I was obliterated by the joint Nazi-Soviet occupation that began with...

An in-depth history of the attack that began World War II, and one country's courageous fight against two unstoppable forces. Hitler's military offensive against Poland on September 1, 1939 was the brutal act that triggered the start of World War II, wreaking six years of death and bloodshed around the world. But the campaign is often overshadowed by the momentous struggle that followed across the rest of Europe. In this thought-provoking study, each...

Poland was the 'tripwire' that brought Britain into the Second World War but neither Britain, nor Poland's older ally, France, had the material means to prevent Poland being overrun. The broadcast, 'Poland is no longer alone' had a distinctly hollow ring. During the next four years the Polish Government in exile and armed forces made a significant contribution to the Allied war effort; in return the Polish Home Army received a paltry 600 tons of supplies....

Lonely Planet's Poland is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Sample Krakow's nightlife, learn dramatic history in Warsaw and wander Gdansk's medieval lanes - all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Poland and begin your journey now! The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's Poland is our most comprehensive guide to Poland, and is perfect for discovering...

When the Nazi's invaded Poland at the beginning of World War II, they overtook Cracow's beloved Wawel Castle. It had been the center of town life for more than 600 years. Suddenly, it was the seat of Hitler's General Government. The citizens were in mortal danger. Bravely, they took the situation in hand and formed an underground resistance group named after their town park, Acorn Park. They began having secret meetings in the basement of a church....

The beginnings of the end of Eastern European communism came with the firing of a shipyard worker in Gdansk, which led to a workers uprising and the founding of the Solidarity political movement. Dive into these exciting events, from rebellion to state crackdown, and meet some of the key players who altered the course of history..