Aleksander

Just too much pain ... After reaching 50% of the book I couldn't make myself to read it anymore...

At the same I've found large parts of it unrealistic. People that hurt are better at pushing away others and don't simply find group of friends for life

4.5

Great content, uneven form. Some of the chapters are very dense and take significant time to understand, others take you along step by step. Also some important terms are introduced causally making you backtrack looking for a place when the term was first defined.

Still, if you're interested in the topic very much recommended!

A story how independent Poland didn't meet dreams and expectations of many people fighting for it. Hits you hard and repeatedly. The multitude of facts overwhelmed me quickly and soon after starting reading I couldn't tell which Ewa is which, nor connect the dots in some of the stories. This is not the point though. The point is that with very few exceptions all the stories sound the same. Anger, pain and resentment are layered on top of each other; all often sprinkled with alcohol and spiced with hatred.

One star less because of the dog shit chapter - why, oh why??

I've been long interested in the figure of Rosa Luxemburg or Róża Luksemburg. I've known her as a prominent Polish-born communist, but thats about it. Red Rosa was a good introduction to her life starting with a childhood in a Jewish family in Poland via studies in Switzerland and her later active life in Germany. Provided the basic facts and ideas and I've read it quickly, but never managed to properly engage me.

Bought at the London Radical Bookfair.