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A comprehensive study of the Polish resistance, and reassessment of its action and legacy. A quite remarkable story based on original research and eyewitness accounts. Excellent 8/10. - Great War Magazine Dr Williamson tells a fascinating, yet often tragic story. Dr Williamson's detailed book is packed with rare photos and records.

By Jan Peczkis:

This single volume covers major developments and actions of the Polish Underground State, largely from a British perspective. This work is based on both archival information as well as secondary sources. Unlike most works on the Polish Underground, it does not stop with the defeat of Nazi Germany. It also includes the first years of militant resistance, as by WiN, against the Soviet-imposed western-acquiesced Communist puppet state.

The many photos are a blend of familiar ones, as well as uncommon ones. In the end of his book, Williamson includes a helpful glossary of Polish and German abbreviations, as well as such things as biographical details of some of the German oppressors and Polish Underground leaders.

The author includes discussion of the Soviet-sponsored Communist GL-AL bands and their conduct, utilizing the work of Dr. Marek Jan Chodakiewicz. For more on the "revolutionary banditry" conducted by the GL-AL, click on, and read the detailed English-language Peczkis review, of Tajne oblicze GL-AL i PPR: Dokumenty (Polish Edition).

Having read numerous books on the Polish Underground, I find myself surprised by some details that Williamson presents. He states that, when the order was given to surrender Warsaw to the Germans in 1939, some Polish soldiers not only were unwilling to do so, but threatened to shoot the officers giving the orders. (p. 7). [Before that, I had read of Polish women complaining to the officers about "surrendering already", and stating indignantly that, "We can endure the bombing and shelling." The officers replied that the situation was hopeless, and that further loss of life made no sense.