The Thousand Hour Day

by W.S. Kuniczak

Vintage hardcover book

Genres: Historical Fiction, War, Fiction, Polish Literature, Poland

628 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

W.S. Kuniczak and his family escaped to England after the Nazi and Russian invasion of 1939. He came to the United States in 1950 to finish his education, which he did at Alliance College in Crawford County and at the Columbia University School of Journalism in New York. He fought in the Korean War to avoid being deported and became an American citizen in 1958. He was a journalist, novelist, professor, and translator in 29 countries around the globe.

Reviews

[John L · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've ever read! Yes, it is graphic and gory and macabre, but ultimately uplifting in its portrayal of a few individuals, as well as an entire country, stubbornly struggling for survival. Some readers might not appreciate the many philosophical detours, and it includes the most bizarre and nightmarish sequence I've ever encountered (the blind soldier), but it kept me enthralled to the very end. Excellent!

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a n excellent novel of a lost cause. The style is a bit hard to follow but once you get past that and fall into the story you'll find one of the best war novels to come out of WWII.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a hard book to read. You have to really love history and WWII interest is best. It is a good book and is written from the Polish point of view and reflects their attitudes and insights. It's long also. Be sure you are able to concentrate when you are reading this book.

I have now finished this book. With all I have going on, it took me a couple of months to read. In a way, it is a sad book, as are all war books. I did get a good insight into the way Polish people think as well as some German. I would recommend this book, but, be warned, you have to pay attention but if you like reading war stories as well as about other cultures and ideologies, this book you will like.

[Michael Sechler · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is rather slow at many points, but it's OK overall. It provides what I imagine is a rather accurate portrayal of Poland being overrun by Nazi Germany in 1939. One excellent section of the book is a dialogue between an American reporter and a Nazi officer that offers tremendous insight into the thinking behind the Nazi regime.

[Bruce Von kugelgen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book drew me in with colorful characters and seemingly knowing and appropriate cultural and historical detail. Unfortunately, the depiction of the war started, and the long stretches of gory narrative were ultimately repellent.

A little skimming of some of the battle sequences enabled me to enjoy the book, and I recommend it to history buffs who enjoy some character with their carnage.

[C.E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, but will be hard on most modern readers and eyes, I think. Worth the read, tho' I agree with other critics that the one character (the son) doesn't seem to have a reason to be there.

[ernie jury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this back in the late 60s in high school, and a couple times since, really shows the horrors of war. One of my favorite books.

[Richard1955 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great heaving book involving hundreds of characters and scenes. As other reviewers, it did take me months to finish it, but it was never boring or tedious. Most of the book involves the invasio by Germany but as happened in history the Soviet Union invaded three weeks after the Nazis pursuant to their Non-Aggression Pact's secret codicil dividing up eastern Europe between them. The prideful hopes that Poland took in their infrequent defeats or holding up of the Germans was then shot to hell when the largest nation on earth also invaded them. Does this have the famous charges by horse cavalry against machine guns and gun batteries? Yes, and one feels one lives and dies with those Polish lancers as they gallop toward barbed wire, machine gun nests and stationary tanks.

If you have read Dr. Zhivago, there is much similarity due to the vast number of characters and events (even though Zhivago is about the Russian Revolution and its consquences rather than an external war). The Thousand Hour Day is also full of sublimated (deserved) anger at the British and French allies for their failure to attack Germany during the month it invaded Poland - and at the cynical American correspondent for his detachment. The one armed general at the heart of the book seemed SO much like a character destined to be played by Yul Brynner, that I had him in mind throughout.

The bloodshed, the gore is horrific - and yet probably necessary to drive home the emotional power of what the Poles sought to accomplish - to survive as a nation. Ths is the first of a trilogy - the next books are The March and Valedictory. I won't be able to resist them! :) But in the meantime, I'm reading far lighter material - Pride and Prejudice anyone? :))

[wonkagranny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to give up and give the book back to Ron. Didn't have time to spend on it. Liked what I read. May try again later.