Entangled in Fear: Everyday Terror in Poland, 1944-1947

Entangled in Fear is a book that explores the collective fear of postwar Polish society and the emotions of its heroes, such as soldiers, deserters, orphans, and beggars. It is based on official documents and personal papers and reveals how fear of famine, epidemics, sexual violence, looting, joblessness, and invasion led to collective action on the part of Poles.

Format: Hardback
Length: 366 pages
Publication date: 06 September 2022
Publisher: Indiana University Press

Fear is a deeply personal and individualized experience, with few experiences being as intimate. It is impossible to have collective fear without first experiencing individual fear. The fear of a society arises from the convergence of individual experiences when numerous individuals, ranging from dozens to millions, fear the same thing simultaneously.

This captivating story takes us to postwar Polish society, where a broken society was shaped by a multitude of threats, including bandits, hunger, bombs, Russia, and countless others. Journalist and historian Marcin Zaremba delves into the realm of collective fear by examining official documents and personal papers of those who survived in postwar Poland. Through his sociological, psychological, and historical analysis, Zaremba unveils how fear of famine, epidemics, sexual violence, looting, joblessness, and invasion led directly to collective action among the Poles.

Entangled in Fear is a groundbreaking work that challenges the reader to contemplate the profound impact of emotions on human history. It prompts us to consider the importance of a more serious engagement with emotions in order to gain a deeper understanding of our past. This book offers a unique perspective on the complexities of collective fear and its role in shaping the course of human events.

Weight: 1129g
Dimension: 279 x 216 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780253063083