Description
Book SynopsisHugh Gibson, US Minister to Poland from 1919 to 1924, recorded his involvement with the rocky first years of Polish statehood in this collection of official dispatches and personal letters. This book presents the writings of Hugh S. Gibson, who served from 1919 to 1924 as the first US Minister to the new Second Polish Republic. Crucially involved with world-shaping events, Gibson faithfully recorded his eyewitness impressions and interactions with the nascent Polish state, bickering Allies, and increasingly isolationist Americans. The selected material draws from both State Department dispatches and personal letters, most of it appearing in print for the first time. Editor Vivian Hux Reed, working with experts M. B. B. Biskupski, Jochen Böhler, and Jan-Roman Potocki, provides historical context through a comprehensive introduction and series of annotations. Reminiscences by Gibson's late son Michael Francis Gibson provide personal context. With a flair for pertinent analysis, Gibson records the rocky first years of Polish statehood. He advocated for American support of the young democracy and emphasized to both Polish and US government officials the need for a strong state to protect the rights of all Polish citizens. His words are prophetic, accurately assessing the need for strong state structures to protect all citizens and predicting the danger posed especially to minority groups should such structures fail. VIVIAN HUX REED has an MA in history from Western Oregon University. M. B. B. BISKUPSKI is professor of history, Central Connectictut State University. JOCHEN BÖHLER is a research associate, Imre Kertész Kolleg Jena at Friedrich Schiller University. JAN-ROMAN POTOCKI has an MPhil in International Relations from Cambridge University.
Trade ReviewWonderfully detailed.this book fills a major gap on the history of Poland during this period, through the writings of Hugh S. Gibson. He acts as an excellent case study for understanding the diplomatic discussions that were taking place behind the scenes as Poland geared to establish itself on the global stage. * HISTORY *
[An American in Warsaw] gives us a valuable self-portrait of a noteworthy American diplomat and, through his eyes and with his witty and lively pen, a revealing picture of Poland in the early years of its restored statehood. * H-NET *
Hugh Gibson served as US Minister to Poland at a critical time in Polish and European history, as the reconstituted Polish state sought to establish and secure its governing structures, independence, and borders against formidable odds in the chaotic years that followed in the wake of the First World War. Gibson's writings from this period, skillfully edited and annotated by Vivian Reed, provide the engaging perspective of a well-informed outsider whose understanding of Poland's geopolitical dilemma was based on thoughtful and objective analysis. -- -- Robert Blobaum, author of A Minor Apocalypse: Warsaw during the First World War
Table of ContentsForeword A Few Things About My Father Introduction A New Observer in a New Poland: 1919 A Wild Ride: 1920 Aftermath and Rebuilding: 1921 A Wedding and a Funeral: 1922 Stabilization: 1923 Changes in the Wind: 1924 Epilogue List of Publications by Hugh S. Gibson Selected Bibliography Index
