The Trouble with History

"An approach to the historical memory of political transitions that is at once inclusive and comprehensive"—Piotr H. Kosicki, The Nation

“Michnik reads history three-dimensionally, with one eye on the past and the other on the present.  It’s a pleasure to watch him at work . . . . I see Michnik as an almost Miltonic figure, who understands that the greatness of a country . . . lies not in its military might, but in its capacity, even in a time of war and grave external threats, to engage in fearless, unfettered public debate about the great ideas of the day.”—Paul Wilson, The New York Review of Books

"[Michnik's] clear, unequivocal voice rings through, articulating vigorous humanist positions on contemporary politics. . . . As always, he is scintillating in his command of history."—Padraic Kenney, Slavic Review 

“This is a thoughtful and thought-provoking essay on the borderlines of history, politics, and literature by one of East Europe’s most brilliant and respected public intellectuals. Written with clarity, erudition and political incisiveness, it provides an unusual perspective on a highly sensitive subject.”—Jacques Rupnik, Professor, Sciences-Po, Paris