Books with author Jan Karski

The problem of Poland's secret state is, in acute form, the problem of every agency in Europe which has had courage to resist. This is the first account - by an eyewitness and participant - of Europe's toughest underground state. The Republic carried on under the noses of the Gestapo as a democratic organization, ready for the liberation. Jan Karski's personal story is also the story of his people, and through his eyes we see the everyday life of a whole nation under the unique authority of a secret state, a state through which Democracy was reborn.

'Insistently asks the question: What would you do? Would you fight, or acquiesce, or collaborate? ... Karski was deeply patriotic and ludicrously brave ... an astonishing testament of survival' Ben Macintyre, author of Operation Mincemeat It is 1939. Jan Karski, a brilliant young Polish student, enjoys a life of parties and pleasure. Then war breaks out and his familiar world is destroyed. Now he must live under a new identity, in the resistance. And, in a secret mission that could change the course of the war, he must risk his own life to try and save those of millions.

'Stands in the absolute first rank of books about the resistance in World War II. If you wish to read about a man more courageous and honourable than Jan Karski, I would have no idea who to recommend' Alan Furst It is 1939. Jan Karski, a brilliant young Polish student, enjoys a life of parties and pleasure. Then war breaks out and his familiar world is destroyed. Now he must live under a new identity, in the resistance. And, in a secret mission that could change the course of the war, he must risk his own life to try and save those of millions. 'Insistently asks the question: What would you do? Would you fight, or acquiesce, or collaborate? ... Karski was deeply patriotic and ludicrously brave ... an astonishing testament of survival' Ben Macintyre 'Karski's adventures are worthy of the wildest spy thriller' Daily Telegraph 'This eye-witness testimony is imbued with a passion that subsequent memoirs can rarely match' Financial Times 'Deeply moving' Daily Mail 'Reads like the screenplay to an incredibly exciting war movie - but it is all true' Andrew Roberts