Internationally renowned actress Ingrid Bergman was of Swedish and German descent, though she was known by the majority as Swedish. Three times an Oscar recipient, especially known for Casablanca, Murder on the Orient Express, Gaslight, Notorious, and Anastasia, she is considered one of the greatest actresses of all time. Though she hailed from Europe, she also had relatives in the United States. Ingrid kept in close contact with her aunt Blenda, her father's sister, as well as Blenda's son Carl and grandson Norman. Ingrid and Norman exchanged letters and met in different locations throughout...

Kaia, Heroine of the 1944 Warsaw Rising tells the story of one woman, whose life encompasses a century of Polish history. Full of tragic and compelling experiences such as life in Siberia, Warsaw before World War II, the German occupation, the Warsaw Rising, and life in the Soviet Ostashkov prison, Kaia was deeply involved with the battle that decimated Warsaw in 1944 as a member of the resistance army and the rebuilding of the city as an architect years later. Kaia's father was expelled from Poland for conspiring against the Russian czar. She spent her early childhood near Altaj Mountain and...

The Polish Experience through World War II explores Polish history through the lives of people touched by the war. The touching and terrible experiences of these people are laid bare by straightforward, first-hand accounts, including not only the hardships of deportation and concentration and refugee camps, but also the price paid by the officers killed or taken as prisoners during WWII and the families they left behind. Ziolkowska-Boehm reveals the difficulties of these women and children when, having lost their husbands and fathers, their travails take them through Siberia, Persia, India,...

An autobiography unlike other literary forms shows the ego of an author. Aleksandra Ziolkowska-Boehm's ego is delicate, fascinating, and courageous. Some fragments are almost like a movie with interesting dialog, compelling moments, and realistic characters. Vividly portrayed are dedicated and devoted parents who instilled a love for reading and books that formed the foundation for her career. Detailed descriptions of coping with the rigors of achieving an advanced education, career start, and caring, rearing and devoting love to a young son are outstanding.

This is a story of a young lad who chose college far away from his small home town of Washington, NJ. He worked in the oil industry for 16 years in Saudi Arabia, 4 years in London, England, and 3 years in Stavanger, Norway. 23 years of exposure to the world's diverse cultures and peoples gave him an unwavering respect and admiration for all citizens of the world. This book is a recollection of the events, thoughts, and experiences of Boehm's transformative travels abroad. It contains stories of classical piano lessons, learning to fly a small single engine aircraft, and meeting with his...

In Melchior Wankowicz: Poland's Master of the Written Word, Aleksandra Ziolkowska-Boehm examines the life and writing of famous Polish writer Melchior Wankowicz, author of legendary work "The Battle of Monte Cassino." Acclaimed by his readers and critics alike, Melchior Wankowicz was famous for creating his theory of reportage, i.e. the "mosaic method" where the events of many people were implanted into the life of one person. Melchior Wankowicz put into words the beautiful, tragic and heroic events of Polish history that provided a form of sustenance for a people that thrive on patriotism...

This study examines the experience of a Polish soldier and partisan hero, Roman Rodziewicz. Rodziewicz's life takes the reader from Manchuria to Poland, enlistment in the Polish army, service with the famous partisan leader Major Hubal, capture and torture by the Germans, and imprisonment first at Auschwitz and then Buchenwald.

In 1939, both Germany (September 1st) and Soviet Union (September 17) invaded Poland. The eight narratives presented in this book deal with Polish destinies, untold stories of people, mostly very young, who survived the Second World War, and how great an impact the war had on their lives.