KALINKA Walerian - The Four-Year Sejm vol. 1

Walerian Kalinka can undoubtedly be counted among the most reviled historians. As the coryphaeus of the Cracow school of history, spreading a pessimistic conception of our history, he had many opponents. Professionals and amateurs polemicized with his works. Recognizing history as the "mistress of life," Kalinka assumed that there was room for didactics in it and did not shy away from instruction. His historiography is a great national moralizing, and The Four-Year Sejm was no exception in this regard. It was a controversial and at the same time highly significant work, not only because in it the author discussed in detail the course of the Sejm deliberations, but also because it provoked discussions, disputes and even antagonisms among historians.

Disputes about the role of Stanislaw Augustus in difficult times for the country, and finally about the extent to which our Polish sins influenced the fall of the Republic continue, because over the years a multitude of contradictory opinions have accumulated about the causes of the fall or the chances of reviving the state. It is also not easy to formulate hypotheses about the consequences of events that could have occurred but did not. Kalinka did not always follow the recognized rules, and since he was practically the first to start interpreting the years of Poniatowski's reign differently and placing the blame on his compatriots, he exposed himself to particularly harsh criticism.

However, regardless of Kalinka's debatable theses, the qualities of his works are indisputable. The realization of the errors, defects, corruption and causes weakening the state was very important, desirable and required courage.

Publisher: Volumen, 1991

Format: 245 x 170 mm, 515s.

Hardcover with wrapper.

Very good condition.