Jerzy Jedlicki Book order

Modernism and pessimism seem to go hand in hand. What are the sources of the historical pessimism we see in the legions of writers and thinkers over the past three centuries who saw modern civilization as degenerate and despicable, happily marching to its own doom? Why did so many educated and intelligent people despise the innovations that were the work of their contemporaries? This book focuses on English and Polish thought during the 19th and early 20th centuries, a time of relative political stability and great success in science and industry, when many nevertheless voiced concern that Europe is moving in the wrong direction, to its own destruction. After WWI, these warnings became even more dire and have left their mark on the European culture of our times.

The book explores a century-long debate among Polish intellectuals regarding the suitability of the Western model of liberal progress and industrial civilization for Poland. It examines opposing ideas such as native cultures versus cosmopolitan civilization and traditional customs versus a mobile society. The author analyzes these themes while providing a revised English edition that includes explanatory notes, a chronology, maps, and a new Introduction that draws parallels between historical discussions and contemporary issues facing Poland after communism.