Finally - 80 years after the Polish victory of the Battle of Monte Cassino – Melchior Wańkowicz’s “The Battle of Monte Cassino” has been translated into English.

“The book should become a historical source. That's why we can find information about one and a half thousand participants on its pages.” Melchior Wańkowicz.

In this episode, Jola Piesakowska speaks to distinguished translator Charles Kraszewski about his work translating Melchior Wańkowicz’s “The Battle of Monte Cassino” ahead of its publication in Autumn 2024.

Charles Kraszewski discusses the translation process, shares his thoughts on Wańkowicz’s work and explains how he was commissioned by Aleksandra Ziółkowska-Boehm to make this historic version of the Wańkowicz classic of military reportage.

A journalist and publisher, Melchior Wańkowicz served as a correspondent during the Italian campaign with the 2nd Polish Corps. In "The Battle of Monte Cassino" he details military strategies and events, but also delves into the personal stories of the soldiers of the Polish II Corps. This human dimension to the historical narrative, highlights the bravery, sacrifice, and hardships faced by the soldiers. As an eye witness account of the Battle of Monte Cassino, Wańkowicz’s book is a piece of first-class literary writing and a classic of reportage – featuring as it does, unique interviews gathered from the troops.

The battle for Monte Cassino was key to the Allied forces breaking through the German defensive lines in Italy and ultimately leading to the liberation of Rome. Wańkowicz’s account is a comprehensive and detailed first-hand testimony of this gruelling and pivotal battle.

PRE - ORDER

https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781666920215/The-Battle-of-Monte-Cassino

Charles S. Kraszewski is a poet and translator creative in both English and Polish, Czech and Slovak. He has five volumes of poetry to his credit in English and in Polish. He was awarded the Gloria Artist medal by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Poland and the ZAiKS award for translations into a foreign language by the Polish Society of Authors. He is a member of the Union of Polish Writers Abroad (London) and the Society of Polish Writers, Kraków.

Dr. Aleksandra Ziolkowska-Boehm benefited from the early tutelage of Melchior Wankowicz working as his assistant. She is the author of 18 books in Polish and 7 in English, she has written many articles published in magazines and quarterly periodicals. Ziolkowska-Boehm has been the recipient of literary awards including a literature fellowship by the Delaware Division of the Arts in 2006, a Fulbright scholarship at Warsaw University in 2006-2007, and a Fulbright award in 1985 from the Institute of International Education. A member of the Society of Polish Writers in Warsaw, Polish Writers Union Abroad in London, New York: Kosciuszko Foundation, Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences, American PEN Club and in Washington DC: The Fulbright Association.

Ognisko Polskie’s Monte Cassino 80 podcast is presented by Jola Piesakowska

Supported by the Polish Cultural Institute

Produced by Salt and Pepper Productions in association with #MyLondyn

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