Memoirs of the Polish Baroque

Memoirs of the Polish Baroque: The Writings of Jan Chryzostom Pasek, A Squire of the Commonwealth of Poland and Lithuania is a vivid exploration of 17th-century life in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, as recounted by one of its most colorful figures. Pasek's memoirs blend humor, action, and sharp observation, offering readers an authentic glimpse into the world of the Polish gentry. His tales, rooted in the Baroque era's dynamic spirit, capture everything from military campaigns and courtroom feuds to the rich traditions of everyday life. Pasek’s natural storytelling, unburdened by rigid literary conventions, creates a lively narrative that has captivated generations of readers and significantly influenced Polish literary giants like Henryk Sienkiewicz. This collection of his memoirs stands as a testament to the era's cultural and social complexity, resonating with timeless themes of resilience, ambition, and identity.

Translator Catherine S. Leach skillfully preserves the richness of Pasek’s language, blending his colloquial idioms and rhetorical flourishes into an English style that remains true to the 17th-century spirit. This meticulously annotated edition includes maps, a glossary, and historical appendices, making it both an engaging read and a valuable resource for understanding the broader historical and cultural context. Beyond its historical significance, Memoirs of the Polish Baroque bridges centuries of storytelling, providing modern readers with a lively and deeply human connection to a bygone world. This edition not only revitalizes Pasek’s literary achievements but also underscores the enduring power of personal narratives to illuminate the past.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1976.