This bibliography provides comprehensive coverage of Polish-Jewish relations from the first partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1772 up to the outbreak of World War II in 1939. It demonstrates the immensity of the writing dedicated to Jewish-Polish coexistence during the last two centuries. The rich heritage of this coexistence, during times of partitions and interwar independence, is presented here in an incisive documentary collection of sources for academic research. These sources are entered topically under thirty-four distinct chapter headings that represent a wide variety of subject matter, including cultural activity, labor and political movements, social reform, religion, and demography.

The first authoritative, comprehensive historical dictionary of Poland in English, this volume includes over 2,000 entries on people, events, places, and terms important to Poland's history from 966 to 1945. Entries include English and Polish language bibliographic sources. The student of Polish history seeking specific information on a person or event in medieval times, the troubled era leading to the late 18th century partitions of Poland, and the Polish nationalist struggles before 1919, reborn Poland in the interwar years, or the trauma of World War II will be amply rewarded by the accurate, concise information provided in this unique historical dictionary.

Each of the alphabetically arranged entries is followed by pertinent bibliographic sources in both English and Polish languages. A list of abbreviations, a note on the Polish alphabet, and a series of historical maps precede the entries. Helpful cross-references are provided throughout the text and in the index. A general bibliography precedes the index. After five years of work, George Lerski completed the original manuscript in 1992, shortly before his untimely death. The special editing subsequently undertaken preparatory to publication has remained faithful to the original work, its concept, organization, and purpose.