The Last King of Poland Quotes

“Stanisław had always believed in the desirability of an hereditary monarchy, but he knew that the idea was unacceptable to Russia and provoked strong reactions at home. It stuck in the throats of people such as Seweryn Rzewuski, who had recently published a pamphlet suggesting that Poland should look to the new American constitution for a model of government. His arguments were shot down by Kołłataj, who agreed that ‘those great and virtuous souls Franklin and Washington, to whom America owes her liberty, and the entire world owes honour and admiration, have set Poland a great example,’ but he pointed out that conditions in the two countries were different. ‘What are we, I ask you, in relation to the Americans but an old man full of bad habits contemplating a well brought up youth whose heart has not yet been tainted by bad example?’ And he pointed out that the bad habit of hereditary monarchy could be viewed in a positive light.[739]”
― Adam Zamoyski, The Last King of Poland

“My overriding feeling in writing this book has been one of frustration at not being able to dwell at requisite length on the many threads that make up this exceptional story.”
― Adam Zamoyski, The Last King of Poland