Echoes of Yalta

📚 A Diplomat's Testimony

I Saw Poland Betrayed: An American Ambassador Reports to the American People, published in 1948, is a seminal work by Arthur Bliss Lane, the former United States ambassador to Poland. The book critically examines the geopolitical circumstances following World War II, detailing Lane's observations of what he perceived as the abandonment and betrayal of Poland by the Western Allies.

🗣️ Resignation for Truth

Lane resigned from his ambassadorship in 1947. His stated motivation was to directly inform the American public about the unfolding situation "behind the Iron Curtain." This book represents his effort to fulfill that commitment, offering a firsthand account of the diplomatic and political realities impacting Poland's sovereignty and future.

🌍 Geopolitical Context

The narrative is situated within the complex aftermath of World War II, a period marked by the shifting alliances and the nascent Cold War. Lane's perspective provides insight into the strategic decisions and their consequences for Eastern European nations, particularly Poland, which found itself under increasing Soviet influence despite its wartime contributions and alliance with the West.

📖 Initial Release and Editions

The first English edition of I Saw Poland Betrayed was published by the Bobbs-Merrill Company in the United States in 1948. This edition provided the initial platform for Lane's account to reach the American public. The book is noted as having 156 pages in its hardcover format.

📰 Subsequent Publications

The book saw further publication through various channels. The John Birch Society was instrumental in directing the publication of two subsequent editions: one in 1961 as part of their One Dozen Candles series, and another in 1965 within their Americanist Library series via Western Islands publishers. These editions aimed to disseminate Lane's perspective within specific political circles.

🌐 Modern Reprints

More recently, the book has been made available through paperback reprints. Literary Licensing, LLC published an edition in October 2011. Additionally, a Polish version, Widziałem Polskę Zdradzoną, was published by Fronda in 2019, indicating continued interest in Lane's perspective on Polish history.

🌐 Full Text Access

For deeper study, the full text of certain editions of I Saw Poland Betrayed is available online through the Internet Archive:

• 1948 Bobbs-Merrill Edition: Accessible via the Internet Archive.
• 1965 Western Islands Edition: Also available through the Internet Archive.

These resources provide direct access to Lane's original arguments and observations, offering valuable primary source material for historical research.

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📜 Important Notice

This document has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence, drawing upon historical and publicly available data. It is intended for educational and informational purposes only, providing an academic perspective on Arthur Bliss Lane's work, I Saw Poland Betrayed.

This is not a substitute for professional historical or geopolitical analysis. The content presented reflects the information available in the source material and does not constitute professional advice. Readers are encouraged to consult primary sources and scholarly works for comprehensive understanding and to seek expert opinions for specific analytical needs.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any inaccuracies, omissions, or interpretations derived from the information provided herein.