Zamoyski strives to place Polish history more squarely in its European context, and he pays special attention to developments that had repercussions beyond the boundaries of the country. For example, he emphasizes the phenomenon of the Polish parliamentary state in Central Europe, its spectacular 16th century success and its equally spectacular disintegration two centuries later.
This is popular history at its best, neither shallow nor simplistic...lavish illustrations, good maps and intriguing charts and genealogical tables make this book particularly attractive. --New York Times Book Review