A comprehensive one volume encyclopedic research work on the history of Polish military and civilian decorations. The book covers the whole history of Polish decorations from 1705 to 1985 to include the Commonwealth era of the Polish-Lithuanian Kingdom (1705-1794), the Duchy of Warsaw (1807-1813), the Kingdom Period (1815-1831), Polish Republic (1918-1939), Polish Republic in the West (Exile, 1939-1985), and the Polish Peoples Republic (1943-1985).
The book consists of 404 pages with 1,631 actual photographs of every order, cross, medal, regimental breast badge and military isignia. There are 19 color plates. The text is organized by each era of Polish history which includes a detailed desciption of each item with a reference number. The description includes information on the purpose of the decoration, date of establishment, size, color of enamels and ribbons. Data on number of awards made in each class and the names of persons who received the orders are also included, especially the Order of the White Eagle and the order of the Virtuti Militari in the higher classes.
The book will be of great value to military historians, persons of Polish background and ancestry, the military collector and others interested in the history of a valiant nation and its people who, for the last thousand years, have fought for freedom and independence, which for many reasons has been so elusive and several times within their grasp.
The book is the first ever published on the subject. It is a labor of love.
The price is $50, postage included.
Library of Congress Card Catalog No. 86-90004 ISBN No. 0-937527-00-9
New book on the Polish Order of the Virtuti Militari and its Cavaliers 1792-1992. A military historian was unable until now, to locate the names of the recepients of the Polish Order Virtuti Militari. It is the first book on the history of Poland which lists all of the recipients of the Order since 1792.
The book is a result of a 10 year research project. It will make a significant contribution to Polish military history for future generations.
The book contains the hisotry of the order, color photographs of the various styles and types of crosses, and an alphabetical listing of every person and unit, both Polish and foreign, awarded the order, and date, from United States, England, France, Japan, Italy, Belgium, Romania, Estonia, Yugoslavia, Serbia, and Latvia. The listing for the years 1920-1923 and 1939-1946 is also presented sequentially by cross number.
The book weighs five pounds, has 880 pages, and is printed in large format. It has the names of 26,506 persons and military organizations, and it is bilingual (English-Polish). It is one of the most awaited Polish military publications in decades. The book is especially recommended for historical research orgainzations and historians, hobbyists, and individuals with Polish roots who maybe surprised to find the names of members of their family listed.
The Polish order of the VIRTUTI MILITARI was established 200 years ago by King Stanislaw August Poniatowski as the highest military decoration for gallantry the Polish nation bestows upon it's soldiers for acts of heroism above and beyond the call of duty. The VIRTUTI MILITARI is equivalent to the American MEDAL OF HONOR or the British VICTORIA CROSS.
To commerorate the bicentennial of the Order, Prof. Dr. Zdzislaw P. Wesolowski has published a book completely dedicated to the Order of Virtuti Militari. He is the author of POLISH ORDERS, MEDALS, BADGES AND INSIGNIA, the only book of it's kind in the world which contains all Polish civilian and military decorations.
THE MAIN BOOK was printed in two editions. A hardcover deluxe edition for $75.00 USD and a soft cover edition for $65.00 US. Regular surface postage is included in the book prices; for faster service or international airmail, please add, $25 USD.
POLISH PEOPLES REPUBLIC SUPPLEMENT It contains the names of Virtuti Militari Cavaliers awarded in Poland during 1943-1989 by the Communist Goverment. Softcover edition is $25 USD which includes worldwide postage.
Library of Congress Card Catalag No. 91-091031 ISBN No. 0-934527-00-9
About the author
Prof. Wesolowski is the former president of the Polish American Congress of Florida and currently a Professor at Florida Memorial College in Miami. He was a member of the Virtuti Militari BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE and is a retired US AIR FORCE officer.
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Dr. Z. P. Wesolowski P. O. Box 291465 Davie, FL 33329 USA Voice: 954-472-0063 Fax: 954-472-0063