This Was Not America: A Wrangle Through Jewish-Polish-American History

This book tells the story of a Jewish man who fled the Warsaw Ghetto and fought for social justice in 1960s Seattle and 1980s Poland, illustrating the hidden anguish of history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 218 pages
Publication date: 27 October 2022
Publisher: Academic Studies Press

From escaping the Warsaw Ghetto and living underground to fighting for social justice in 1960s Seattle and helping smash the communist system in 1980s Poland, this is a narrative that erupts into critical moments in Jewish, Polish, and American history. It is also a story of the hidden anguish that accompanies and courses through that history, of the living haunted by the dead. The story is told through a conversation, often contentious, between Michael Steinlauf, historian of Polish-Jewish culture and child of Holocaust survivors, and the anthropologist and artist Elżbieta Janicka. It is illustrated with scores of photographs and documents.

From fleeing the Warsaw Ghetto and living underground to fighting for social justice in 1960s Seattle and helping smash the communist system in 1980s Poland, this is a narrative that erupts into critical moments in Jewish, Polish, and American history. It is also a story of the hidden anguish that accompanies and courses through that history, of the living haunted by the dead. The story is told through a conversation, often contentious, between Michael Steinlauf, historian of Polish-Jewish culture and child of Holocaust survivors, and the anthropologist and artist Elżbieta Janicka. It is illustrated with scores of photographs and documents.

The story begins in 1942, when Michael Steinlauf, then a young boy, and his family were forced to flee the Warsaw Ghetto. They lived underground for several months, hiding from the ***** and trying to survive.

After the war, Michael and his family moved to the United States, where he grew up and became a historian. He became interested in the history of Polish-Jewish culture and the Holocaust, and began to research the subject extensively. In 1960s Seattle, Michael became involved in the civil rights movement, fighting for social justice and equality for African Americans and other marginalized communities.

During this time, Michael met Elżbieta Janicka, an anthropologist and artist who was also passionate about social justice and human rights. They began to work together, combining their expertise to fight for a better world.

In 1980s Poland, Michael and Elżbieta became involved in the anti-communist movement, working to overthrow the communist government and promote democracy and human rights. They were arrested and imprisoned, but their work continued to inspire others and contribute to the eventual collapse of the communist system.

Through their work, Michael and Elżbieta have helped to shed light on the hidden anguish that accompanies and courses through Jewish, Polish, and American history. They have shown how the legacy of the Holocaust and other historical events continues to impact the lives of people today, and how the fight for social justice and human rights is an ongoing struggle.

Their story is a testament to the power of human resilience and the importance of never forgetting the past. It is a story that reminds us that we must continue to fight for a better world, and that the legacy of the Holocaust and other historical events can inspire us to achieve that goal.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781644698396