Countries have a long history of ingratitude towards those who save them from peril. This book, in fictional form, was the first part of a planned trilogy detailing how the Polish army under King Jan Sobieski rescued the Western world from the encroachment of the Turks, by relieving the siege of Vienna in 1683. Without that victory, our entire history would probably have changed. What thanks did Poland receive for this tremendous accomplishment? It was dismembered by the very countries it had saved!
Sienkiewicz was a fine writer, unfortunately nearly unknown in these times. This is a robust work, but there is a dominant theme of patriotism infusing his characters. Rarely is love of country shown so clearly as in this work. It is also a love story, and a well-told one at that. The book has Sienkiewicz's usual elements: star-crossed lovers, strudy and loyal heroes, hissable villans, and characters who offer welcome comic relief. The writing is a bit old fashioned at times, but the patriotic feeling with which it was written practically leaps off the page at you. This book is much shorter than Sienkiewicz's other works that I have read, but its brevity does not diminish its impact.

First of all, as much as I love this book, I'd suggest that the first Henryk Sienkiewicz book a person should read be either Quo Vadis or With Fire and Sword. They are long but worth it. This book - incredible as it is - is almost just a fragment compared with the giant scale and spirit of his other books that I've read. Even so, it is head and shoulders above most literature in so many ways.

You really get a sense of the times from Sienkiewicz, and this book is no exception. The descriptions of the armies and the countryside and the people in them establish a very concrete setting. Even so, Sienkiewicz infuses everything in the book with thematic relevance, but it is all done so very subtly that only gradually does the reader cumulatively percieve what the author wants him to understand. This must have been very difficult to accomplish, but he makes it seem effortless.

All the characterizations are centered on ideals and you come to know the people in the story through what they stand for and do. It hardly matters what any character's goal is. What's important here is the idealism and purity - or lack thereof - with which they pursue those goals. The heroes are extremely idealized, and the villians are predatory and evil. The "damsel in distress" is not typecast as a ditz. She is a full participant in the action - almost the main character - and her nobility is played off to great advantage against the trials she goes through. It's hard to resist such larger than life portrayals. Plus, the action is fast paced and always interesting.

Admitedly, this novel was the first of a planned trilogy that Sienkiewicz never completed and it shows a little. On the Field of Glory stands on its own, but it is still just a first act. Jacek's character is probably developed more fully in what would have been book two. In On the Field of Glory, we see powerful, passionate people who are being swept up into a greater conflict, but we do not get to see that greater conflict.

An excellent book that stands on its own, but it's a great loss to world literature that Sienkiewicz couldn't complete the trilogy!

A wonderful read, "Pan Michael" rounds out the Trilogy that has bridged stylistic centuries and proven there is an ageless recipe for plot, drama, character and objective. NO reader, regardless of ethnic background can fail to feel for the incredibly detailed main characters in this novel, such as Pan Michael or the daring woman, Basha. Action is not stinted and combines with the other elements in this colorful and sweeping epic to demonstrate history in one of the least well-documented areas of 17th century Europe. In Poland and Lithuania, where the edges of three great religions, and dozens of ethnic groups ebbed and flowed over the multicolored plains in endless kaleidescopes of struggle, Sinkiewicz paints a vast landscape of dramatic and epic action. He does this without losing the artist's eye for color or the political opportunist's artful demonstration of back-room dealings and rationales used by the shakers and movers of the novel's time-period (for it IS an historical novel). Not only is this clearly done with analogies for the time in which the novel was written (pointed examples clearly exist to parallel conditions in 19th century occupied Poland), but it resonantes with us in our hearts across the intervening century-plus, and in this, or any great republic. There is no doubt the reader will be more curious about the history of the period, and will want to read the other two novels in The Trilogy (With Fire and Sword, and The Deluge), but this is a stand-alone novel as well. The other books do not need to be read, but if I could impose upon the reader only one bit of advice: all of these books are precious, and they are in chronological order. All three will cause sleepless nights where you will be unable to put down the books, so it might be best to schedule them for a vacation! Written by the novelist who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1905 for Quo Vadis, these earlier books (The Trilogy, of which Pan Michael is the third book) for which he received grief from the critics but kudos from the reading public, were probably greater works, and are certainly recommended by this writer for all who would have the common reader love their creations.

Pan Michael, like any Sienkiewicz work, is a wonderful read due to its prose, his wonderful characterization and due to his ability to bring color to his works.

Reading Pan Michael, like reading Teutonic Knights or Fire and Sword, is like opening a doorway into another time......this particular time....medieval Poland. Stepping through this doorway, you encounter all of the sights, the sounds and the lives of the characters within.

I highly recommend Pan Michael, and any other book you may find by Sienkiewicz.

An absolutely brilliant book written about the Swedish/Polish war in the 16th century. Fast paced action with super-hero characters. Would make a great movie. Characterization excellent, characters multi-dimensional and flawed, but in end redeemed. First 100 pages or so difficult for me because of the long Polish names and unknown geography, but after this I fell under the novel's spell and hated to see it end.

First of all, this book is nothing like the Trilogy or "Quo Vadis". It's not an action-packed, Romanticist epic, the tone is more restrained, and the pacing is much slower. "Without Dogma" is really a psychological novel in which the storytelling is done through the thoughtful diary entries of the main character (Leon).

I won't delve into the story too much since I don't want to give anything away. Basically, this is a love story told from the viewpoint of a man who lacks "dogma". I think Sienkiewicz uses this word broadly to include religious dogma as well as other beliefs and sacred cows.

Unlike Sienkiewicz's more famous novels, narration really rules versus dialogue. Also, several key scenes are only referred to in the diary entries rather than played out for the reader. This approach might become tiresome for some, but I really got hooked.

Sienkiewicz handles the diary format masterfully and I was pulled into the story. At many points, I simply could not put it down. Often I felt happy for Leon when he made a step forward, other times he frustrated me so badly I wanted to reach into the book and strangle him. He came alive for me, warts and all, is what I guess I'm saying.

The translation is very crisp and reads smoothly. No problem there at all. I enjoyed this just as much as his more famous works, just in a different more cerebral way. There's no battles or kidnappings, but it's a gripping peek inside a man's mind as he faces some rather difficult emotional conflicts.

It's a little hard to get into if you're not used to old English, but soon I was totally caught up in the story. It begins with Petronius (a 'friend' of the Emperor Nero, known for his elegant taste) is speaking with his nephew Marcus Vinicius. His nephew goes on to relate the story of his meeting Lygia, a beautiful, foreign girl. The two conspire to bring Lygia to Marcus's house, but they do not count on the fact that Lygia is a Christian, as is her host-family. The plot thickens. Basically, the book begins as Marcus tries to get Lygia, but she escapes. As the story goes on it becomes clear that it is not just the story of Petronius, Ursus, Lygia, Marcus, Ponponia Graceina, Nero, and Rome in general, but it is the story of the beginnings of Christianity, and how Marcus slowly came to the truth. In short: Very cool book. Very moving. I cried in it. Vivid details of the persecution of Christians at that time. Definitely, definitely a wonderful read for anyone interested in those topics, or just a good story.

By all means, buy this edition if it is your only way to enter the marvelous world that Sienkiewicz has given to Poland and to posterity. Discover why the Trilogy has been a best-seller in its native land for more than a century. Epic adventure, star-crossed love, villains, heroes, treachery, heartbreak and humor. Sienkiewicz wrote to lift up the hearts of his people, and if he doesn't lift yours, double-check to make sure you still have a pulse.

But beg or borrow if you can, and steal if you must, the translation by W.S. Kuniczak that was published in the early 1990s. Discover what happens when a novelist translates. Kuniczak is true not just to the sentences, but to the spirit of the work. He blows the dust out of the century-old writing and lets it shine. And for readers not on intimate terms with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 17th Century (admit it), he effortlessly drops in helpful hints.

Here's how Curtin starts:

There was in Jmud a powerful family, the Billeviches, descended from Mendog, connected with many, and respected, beyond all, in the district of Rossyeni. ... Their native nest, existing to this day, was called Billeviche; ... In later times they branched out into a number of houses, the members of which lost sight of one another. They all assembled only when there was a census at Rossyeni of the general militia of Jmud on the plain of the invited Estates.

And Kuniczak:

In the part of the old Grand Duchy of Lithuania that was known as Zmudya, and which antedated the times of recorded history, there lived an ancient family named Billevitch, widely connected with many other houses of Lithuanian gentry, and respected more than any other in the Rosyen region. ... Their family seat, known as Billevitche ... so that in time they split into several branches that seldom saw each other. Some of them got together now and then when the Zmudyan gentry gathered for the annual military census near Rosyen on a plain called Stany...

Honestly, which version would you rather spend 1700 pages with? The native nest or the family seat?

(And just by the by, when will a smart publisher sell the Sienkiewicz Trilogy alongside Tolkien? Why do they squirrel it away with the Serious Literature in Translation that mostly gathers dust? There's millions and millions of dollars in these books, lying around, waiting for someone to market them properly.)

Nor ears heard what Sienkewicz has prepared for those who love his works! Number two in the trilogy on the history of Poland, this is the best I have read in a long, long time. It stands alone as a story, but many of its characters have been proven in war in other stories of Sienkiewicz. If for that alone, it is worth reading this book after "With Fire and Sword". It tells the love story of a man and a woman tragically separated by foolishness, pride, confusion and the Swedish invation of Poland in the 1500s which divided a nation against itself and drew the best and worst out of its citizens. Above all, this is a romantic novel, but with enough battles, action and virtues to outdo the Illiad. You will cry and laugh as you read it; you will hope against hope; you will feel in the middle of the battle; you will want to unsheath your sword and run after the neighbours... In sum, another Sienkiewicz masterpiece. Written from a Catholic perspective, this book summarizes well the soul of the Polish nation and its love for the Church.

The DEluge as with the rest of SIenkiewicz's works is literature of the highest quality. It summarizes the heart and soul of a nation and few other nations can claim to have such an outstanding piece of literature that touches the nations souls as does SIenkiewicz. The DEluge is thelargest of the three books of the Trilogy butlike the others you will simply not be able to put it down. The character development is so real - it is as if you know these people in your personal life - the plots - the action - the human drama - the history - it is simply outstanding. I do not understand why a mini series has not been made out of these novels - It is work of the highest quality which seems to have laid undiscoverd for nealy a century now!

The DEluge centers about Swedens march into POland. POland initially accepted their incursion, however, as the situation worsens the POles srrike back. The Swedish war machine was beleived to be unstoppable throguhout Europe and they did march through Poland but they made a mistake - attacking the town of Czestochowa (pronounced Ches toe hova) which had significant religous importance to the POles. The POles were rallied by a Bishop who held out against the Swedes under great odds and touched the soul of Poland. It is something we need to learn in our country - that we must put country above our personal needs to exist and win in the world. Sienkiewicz brings this point home again and again throughout the novel. Mike Niziol

I read this book before the "trilogy." I found it very dark and stoic, especially when compared with the next Sienkiewicz book I read, "With Fire and Sword." Unlike WFS, it is impossible to like anything about the villains in this story, the Teutonic Knights. For fans of the Teutonic Knights, they are not painted in a very flattering light, so don't buy this book thinking you are going to get a positive perspective on them. For Poles and Lithuanians, it portrays a complex struggle against a well-armed and aggressive neighbor. This struggle ultimately pits a Christian, Moslem, and Pagan coalition of nations against the Teutonic Knights, a multinational Christian force on a "mission from God". A collection of fictional characters interact with actual people and events that surrounded this historical struggle. Some of the themes include duty, honor, sacrifice, vengeance, and forgiveness. I find these characters much darker and more tragic than those of Sienkiewicz's trilogy and I think you can definitely get a feeling of the mistrust between the Poles and the Germans (at least in Sienkiewicz's perspective). In fact some of the parallels between this story, written at the turn of the IX/XX century, and the actual events that unfolded in WWII are actually pretty startling. This is a good book for those who want to get a flavor for XV and early XVI century Polish Commonwealth history, but I would recommend reading the trilogy first.

I found this book while doing research on the Teutonic Knights because I enjoy writing fantasy based on medieval themes and I'm planning to visit their old castle at Malbork. Instead of a reference book I found something better--an excellent look at what life was like in medieval Poland, chivalry, and how religion fit into the lives of those noble people.

If you're looking for something with a lot of blood and guts then don't buy this book. It may have some interesting fight scenes but what makes it great is the interaction between the characters. Courtly love is vividly portrayed as well as the relationship between lord/lady and vassel. The integrity of certain knights in contrast to the corruption of others gives the story a sense of realism.

The only gripe I had was due to not being able to pronounce some of the Polish names. I wish the translator included a pronounciation guide for laymen like myself. However this doesn't diminish from the five star rating.

I can't wait to read more titles by this author.

I read the Teutonic Knights after Sienkiewicz' famous trilogy on Poland which begins with his With Fire and Sword (much recommneded). I thought I would not, could not, find heroes as great as those I found there. As happened each time I finished a volume of the trilogy, I found I was mistaken, and on the same account. Sienkiewicz, a master at creating truly human and noble heroes in tough historical times, did it again. He once again created another hero and befriended me to him to the point where I admired him like one admires a great and faithful friend. I found myself adding him to the company of the likes of Pan Schetushki, Kmita and Volodyovski (see the Trilogy). If you have been told about the trilogy and do not dare undertake 4,000 pages of great reading, start with the Teutonic Knights. It will introduce you to Sienkiewicz and whet your appetite for more...

If only for its most interesting historical context, and to learn about Poland's (or rather Lithuania's) view of itself and Germany, you should read this book. It will explain much of what happened in later centuries between both countries. If only because it is a literary masterpiece, you should read this book. If only because it is hard to find truly romantic novels nowadays, with real virtues and real values, and real lovers not centered on their eros but on real love, you should read this book. If all else fails, you should read it because it will unlock the mistery of a most beautiful equestrian statue placed on the center of Central Park in Manhattan (close to the "castle") of a Polish king, who is famous for defeating the Teutonic Knights and all they represented. When you finish this book, you will wonder why you did not know about it before. You will treasure it for your children.

This novel has ideas, romance, violence, adventure, mysticism, and politics, so it can't be boring even if some reviewers complain about its slow start. Set in the middle of Nero's tenure in power, in the First century AD, it tells the story of Vinitius, a Roman military officer from a Patricious family with good standing at the court. He has the friendship and protection of Petronius, the Arbiter of Elegancy, a sensual, rich and cultivated man with much influence in court. Vinitius falls in love with the beautiful slave Ligia, who is a Christian living with a Roman Patricious family also converted to Christianity. Through his obsession with her, he gradually discovers the new religion and realizes the moral pit in which his culture has been decaying. Then Nero sets Rome on fire and Vinitius finds out that he'll have to rebel against the State in order to gain love. He is baptized and suffers persecution. Then he has to rescue his beloved from the Colliseum, just when she's going to be throwed in to the lions. The end is mystical and completely beautiful, and that's when you understand the title, which means "Where are you going, my Lord?", and is pronounced by St. Peter as he is fleeing Rome.

A very entertaining and rewarding novel, it is also a fictional testimony of the early years of Christendom. My favorite character is Petronius, a liberal, magnanimous and "cool" Pagan Roman who finds disgrace for protecting those he loves. very recommended.

Given that Mr Sienkiewicz won the Nobel literary prize for mainly this work, that alone is a pretty good bet for reading it. Written in the 1890's, this book is seen as one of the world's first "bestseller" novels, and is definitely an epic of, well, epic proportions.

Unfortunately, the book does suffer slightly as a result of the translation, as noted by an earlier reviewer, so if you can read Polish, do get the original version. Nevertheless, although the book starts off a tad slow, think of the beginning as a push off from a cliff, because after that it's as fast paced a thriller as money can buy.

A basic exposure to Roman and Christian history will make the book really come alive. Although certain "facts" are not correct, or have been omitted, remember that the book is meant to be fiction. The historical events are merely a platform for a passionate love story between a pagan Roman and a Christian girl. However, it is the seeming impossibility of this love, together with descriptions of the nearly moronic Roman "royal court", keeps you reading well into the night. The emotional roller-coaster makes you, the reader, feel exhausted.

Definitely recommended, and one of the most enjoyable books I've read.

If you liked this, do check out his other novels - especially the brilliant "Teutonic Knights" which is another epic of a young Polish knight (and of course a lovely maiden or two thrown in for good measure) and the history of middle ages Poland up to the battle of Grunwald where the Teutonic Knights were defeated.

Quo Vadis has impacted my life greatly. I have never seen a book that explores the Christian view on romance and early Christianity so clearly. It was nourishing and exciting. This is a character-driven story, and I don't see how anyone could put it down. The verisimilitude of Rome was astonishing! Hey, high school students, this is a great way to get a grip on how things worked in early A.D. Rome. Nero, Lydia, Marcus, and Petronius were unforgetable characters. This is love at its greatest! Romance the way it should be, unselfish and pure. The transformation we see of Marcus motives of love is the most piercing literature I've ever read. It has been a year since I've read it and I'm still raving about it! Hey, guys, this is a cool book for men to learn about love. I'm telling you, it is worth it!

While it's no LORD OF THE RINGS, WITH FIRE AND SWORD is a fun read of the epic variety. Dense description turns stock characters into lively companions for a long and mostly exciting journey. Originally written as a newspaper serial, the novel follows the typical format, leaving the reader anxious to get to the next chapter. It's not great literature (no WAR AND PEACE) as much as it's a very good page turner. If you must read one of the Sienkiewicz Trilogy, this is definitely the one - the quality decreases significantly with each subsequent novel, as the writer basically tried to cash in on the fame that this book brought to him. While Sienkiewicz obviously had an agenda - bolstering Polish pride during a time of foreign domination - it shouldn't prevent an open-minded modern reader from enjoying the adventure, even a Ukrainian-American like myself.

If you are a fan of historic epics with a whirlwind plot, tons of bloody battle scenes, dueling lovers and fascinating characters then "With Fire and Sword" is ideal for you. This is the first part of the renowned Trilogy written by Nobel Prize winning novelist Henryk Sienkiewicz. The novel is a story of a romance between an officer and a young woman. The story is intertwined with the bloody peasant rebellions and Tatar wars which took place in eastern Poland in the 17th century. Sienkiewicz's main credit is the degree of depth which he bestows upon his characters. The characters are full packages of human emotion, desires, fears hate and paradoxes. Personally I vote for Zagloba as my favorite. The historic detail with which the book is written provides the audience an opportunity to witness the events in the eye of their mind. As he does with the characters, Sienkiewicz goes into great detail in describing the surroundings such as the interiors of the castles or battle scenes. The novel is not gory simply for shock effect, the author portrays the battles of the 17th century with brutal honesty. I've read the original Polish version as well as the English and found that the translated edition is very true to the original. The only flaw with the version available is the lack of illustrations, which would be useful for the novice reader.

In my country this book is considered offensive both by Ukrainian majority and Russian minority. Polish people are viewed by Ukrainians as occupants, slavers and religious opressors. Cossacks are Ukrainian national heroes and common people still sing traditional songs about "brave Cossacks" and "foul Poles". The huge statue of Hmielnitsky stands on the central square of Ukraine's capital Kiev. If you have watched movie "Braveheart" about civil war between English and Scots, you will understand the position of Ukrainians - they are brutal and violent and barbaric just like Scots but they enjoy freedom and hate overproud dominant Poles who are like English.
However I like this book - it is interesting as a great Polish mythical tale with great descriptions and memorable characters.
I have an advise to fans of this book: watch the great Polish/Ukrainian movie "With Fire and Sword", which made a lot of noise few years ago and provoked clashes between Polish and Ukrainians nationalists.
Also you should read the "opposite view book" written by Ukrainian writer Nikolai Gogol called "Taras Bulba". "Taras Bulba" is a must-read book in Ukrainian and Russian schools and it tells the story about war between Cossacks and Poles from Ukrainian perspective.

OK, I've tried to read "Quo Vadis" several times and... man, I just couldn't dig it!! The descriptions are nice enough, if you don't mind the wordy style of Victorian times, but what rubbed me wrong was how the Christians vs. pagans battle was portrayed. The Christians are dull and pretty stupid- almost intolerably goody goody, and *insipid*! The pagans are bad, but they're bad in an interesting way. Sure, they're going to hell in the end, but in the meantime, they're so dynamic and fun- and Nero can sure plan good orgies. Read the New Testament and you'll see the early Christians in there are almost anything but stupid, and certainly not dull! (I imagine St Pete himself was a pretty exciting cat to know.) I get the feeling old Henryk knew that he had to write in the 'Christians' as the heroes, but his heart wasn't really into it. He really knows how to describe a party, and all the superficiality it entails. But the Christians in this book- they're NOTHING like the truly spiritual people of my acquaintance. They come across like Victorian stage characters, posing in the accepted holy poses, having visions in the accepted style of visionaries. (Angels come out and lights abound; all the acceptable props, you know.) So, read "Quo Vadis" for the gorgeous detail and ornate dialogue, because I can't say it's not technically well done. But if you want something that gets into the heart of soul of a spiritual/religious quest, than you'd better go elsewhere.

This book reads a bit like a trashy romance novel. That is to say, it is a very easy read, the vocabulary is relatively simple, and the story gets you hooked from chapter to chapter. Not to mention it kind of _is_ a trashy romance novel. But on the other hand it does give one a nice picture of the first Christians and Rome in Nero's time. The characterization of Nero is especially funny. Not to mention it has a nice/happy ending so you feel all warm and fuzzy at the end in spite of all the nasty things that happen in between. (Hope that was not too much of a spoiler) All in all, an entertaining read, but don't expect big revelations.

There are some foreign language books, like the Odyssey, or the Three Musketeers, or perhaps Ibsen, that endure lingual translations, despite the incompetency of the translator. Quo Vadis is not one of those books. Some translations are terrible and flat, while others ring true with the lucidity of brilliant writing. The W.S. Kuniczak edition is probably the finest rendition currently available in English. However, if one is looking for a biblical work of fiction that truly inspires in English- try Ben-Hur, by Lew Wallace.