Author: Henryk Sienkiewicz

Sienkiewicz’s epic novel of ancient Rome finds the Empire at the height of her power and splendor, but struggling with the madness and cruelty of the Emperor Nero. A new religion is sweeping across the world, causing many Romans to wonder and leading many others to sacrifice everything for it. Yet, even as a great city burns and darkness threatens to overwhelm the age, hope is found in the love of the Roman tribune Marcus Vinicius for the beautiful Christian maiden Lygia, and in his journey toward his life’s true purpose (Introduction by D. Leeson).

In 1647, Poland is a land facing complete destruction with fire and sword. It may come from without, as the Tartar hordes swarm over the steppes, turning cities to ash and the Poles to slaves. It may come from within the country’s bounds, as the traitor Hmyelnitski leads the Cossacks in a devastating revolt. Or it may come simply because the nation’s leaders and nobility have become selfish, lazy, and complacent, and are ill-equipped to face the horrors coming their way.<br /><br /> If Poland is to survive, it will depend on the heroes who rise in her time of need. Yeremi Vishnovyetski, the warrior-prince who alone can lead his people to victory … if they are wise enough to accept his leadership. The diminutive soldier Michael Volodiyovski, ever unlucky at love, but never equaled as a swordsman. Longin Podbipyenta, the Lithuanian giant whose sacred vow to remain unmarried until he performs an impossible feat in battle is complicated when he falls madly in love. Pan Zagloba, Poland’s Falstaff, whose thirst for ale and penchant for self-preservation are exceeded only by his loyalty to his friends. But in the end, Poland’s fate will rest on the shoulders of the knight Jan Skshetuski, who must choose between the safety of his beloved Helena and his allegiance to prince and country.<br /><br /> With Fire and Sword is the first novel of Sienkiewicz’s epic “Trilogy”, but is a stand-alone story in its own right. (Introduction by D. Leeson)

3Deluge Volume 1

By Henryk Sienkiewicz

The Deluge (Polish: Potop) is a historical novel by the Polish author Henryk Sienkiewicz, published in 1886. It is the second volume of a three-volume series known to Poles as "the Trilogy," having been preceded by With Fire and Sword (Ogniem i mieczem, 1884) and followed by Fire in the Steppe (Pan Wołodyjowski, 1886). The novel tells a story of a fictional Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth soldier and noble Andrzej Kmicic and shows a panorama of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth during the Swedish invasion of Poland known in the Polish tradtion as „Potop” (hence the title).<br /><br /> Kmita is a patriot who, nevertheless, unexpectedly and unwittingly finds himself on the wrong side of the conflict as a new war starts to ravage the already weakened Commonwealth. This decision costs him dearly as his beloved Olenka now sees him as a traitor.<br /> This is an epic panorama of a country that is torn not only by a war with the external enemy, but also by a struggle with unscrupulous nobles who use their country's plight as an opportunity to magnify their power and zone of influence even if that means siding with the enemy. On the other hand we also see valiant soldiers, who, both with their swords and their wits, fight to expel the invading army. (Summary by Wikipedia and Piotr Nater)

4Life and Death, and Other Stories and Legends

By Henryk Sienkiewicz

Henryk Sienkiewicz won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1905, but as he wrote in Polish many English-speakers are unfamiliar with his work. This short story collection is a sampler of five myths and legends which he collected. The "Life and Death" of the title is a Hindu legend, the rest of Polish stories. All are short and together form a little taste of this great author who is too often unknown to English readers. - Summary by Beth Thomas

5In Desert and Wilderness

By Henryk Sienkiewicz

In Desert and Wilderness is a novel for children by Polish author and Nobel Prize-winning novelist Henryk Sienkiewicz. It tells the story of two children, Staś Tarkowski and Nel Rawlison, and their adventures as they cross the African desert and jungle. During the journey they face lions, leopards and malaria, make friends with desert tribespeople and an elephant, and learn about some harsh realities of life. An unusual "coming of age" story! - Summary by Beth Thomas

6Deluge Volume 2

By Henryk Sienkiewicz

The Deluge (Polish: Potop) is a historical novel by the Polish author Henryk Sienkiewicz, published in 1886. It is the second volume of a three-volume series known to Poles as "the Trilogy," having been preceded by With Fire and Sword (Ogniem i mieczem, 1884) and followed by Fire in the Steppe (Pan Wołodyjowski, 1886). The novel tells a story of a fictional Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth soldier and noble Andrzej Kmicic and shows a panorama of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth during the Swedish invasion of Poland known in the Polish tradtion as „Potop” (hence the title). Kmita is a patriot who, nevertheless, unexpectedly and unwittingly finds himself on the wrong side of the conflict as a new war starts to ravage the already weakened Commonwealth. This decision costs him dearly as his beloved Olenka now sees him as a traitor. This is an epic panorama of a country that is torn not only by a war with the external enemy, but also by a struggle with unscrupulous nobles who use their country's plight as an opportunity to magnify their power and zone of influence even if that means siding with the enemy. On the other hand we also see valiant soldiers, who, both with their swords and their wits, fight to expel the invading army. - Summary by Wikipedia and Piotr Nater

W listach wysyłanych do "Gazety Polskiej" Henryk Sienkiewicz opisał swoje wrażenia z wielomiesięcznych podróży od wschodniego po zachodni brzeg Stanów Zjednoczonych. Znajdziemy tu wrażenia z podróży transatlantykiem i koleją, opisy ludzi zamieszkujących ten kraj zarówno w miastach jak i na otoczonych dziką przyrodą bezdrożach, a także obserwacje na temat natury.<br><br> Ponieważ niektóre spośród przesłanych przez Henryka Sienkiewicza listów nie znalazły się w tekście będącym podstawą dla tego nagrania, zostaną one ujęte w osobnej kolekcji. (Piotr Nater)

Historia dwojga ludzi, ojca i córki, i ich podróży przez Atlantyk w poszukiwaniu lepszego życia w Stanach Zjednoczonych - Summary by Piotr Nater

W tej klasycznej powieści Henryk Sienkiewicz opowiada historię Andrzeja Kmicica; młodego, porywczego szlachcica który musi zdecydować jak ma dalej przebiegać jego życie w ogarniętej wojną z kilkoma przeciwnikami Rzeczpospolitej. Musi podjąć decyzję przeciw komu walczyć, a z kim się sprzymierzyć, aby jak najlepiej służyć ojczyźnie i zasłużyć na miłość ukochanej Oleńki. (Summary by Piotr Nater)

10Pan Michael: An Historical Novel of Poland, the Ukraine, and Turkey

By Henryk Sienkiewicz

This is the third part of the Sienkiewicz trilogy. It is loosely based on the politics of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It is better known in English as 'Fire In The Steppe'. - Summary by David Granville Young

11Lillian Morris, and Other Stories

By Henryk Sienkiewicz

The nights were real Californian: calm, warm, starry; the fire burned cheerily, and in its gleam I saw the gigantic, but shapely and noble form of the old pioneer warrior. Raising his eyes to the stars, he sought to recall past events, cherished names, and dear faces, the very remembrance of which brought a mild sadness to his features. Of these narratives I give one just as I heard it, thinking that the reader will listen to it with as much interest as I did. - Summary from the Preface

12Through the Desert

By Henryk Sienkiewicz

Through the Desert, also translated as In Desert and Wilderness, is a novel set in nineteenth-century Egypt about the two children, one Polish and one English, who are kidnapped. It was written by the Nobel-prize-winning Henryk Sienkiewicz and was his only foray into the genre of young-adult fiction. - Summary by David Granville Young