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Sikorski, a journalist who was deputy defense minister in the first Solidarity government, weaves the dramatic events of Poland's recent history into his own return from exile. At his book's center is a project to restore his family's manor house?"my contribution to rebuilding Poland, and a last battle against the Communists." Sikorski relives his childhood and daily life in Communist Poland and also writes passionately about his parents' lives during World War II. The most intriguing portions of his book deal with the early days of Solidarity and the risks involved for anyone who participated (the author had to flee to England for several years). He also delves into the history of the town of Bydgoszcz, where his house is located. Sikorski connects the dramatic political and cultural changes of postcommunism to the daily lives of average people and proclaims that a "civilizational revolution" has occurred. Valuable for its depiction of communism's profound impact, this is recommended for academic and large public libraries.

Involved in Poland's Solidarity movement as a young man, Sikorski went on to become a journalist of international repute; and after years in exile, he returned to Poland, where he served briefly as a government minister. Essentially a celebration of his efforts to rebuild a rural manor house, Sikorski's book pays homage to these rural Polish buildings, which in the mind of the author are symbols of his homeland's cultural heritage. In chronicling an adventure in renovation and reconstruction, Sikorski seizes the opportunity to explore Polish history, preserving fragments of his own family's story and reminiscing about the experience of growing up under Communist rule. Sikorski writes with considerable ease, imbuing his candid saga of childhood memories and historical events with a satisfying relevance.