The Generation

This book examines the lives of a remarkable generation of Polish-Jewish Communists, whose experiences embody the profound socio-political upheavals of the 20th century. Born around 1910, these individuals joined the Communist movement during the 1930s, survived World War II in the USSR, and rebuilt their lives in postwar Poland, only to face defeat and exile in the late 1960s. Their journey reflects both the unique intersection of Jewish and Polish histories and broader existential questions of ideology, identity, and human agency. Through their revolutionary visions and struggles against oppressive systems, they grappled with moral and ethical dilemmas shaped by historical forces they often could not control. Their lives illustrate the broader dynamics of Central and Eastern Europe’s modern history, revealing the tensions between collective ideals and individual realities.

Drawing on extensive qualitative research—including interviews, questionnaires, and archival materials—this study captures the collective trajectory of this generation while honoring the individuality of their experiences. It explores their radicalization, revolutionary careers, wartime experiences in the USSR, and postwar struggles in Poland, leading to their eventual downfall. Combining historical and sociological perspectives, the book seeks to uncover the patterns of identity, action, and social change that defined their lives. In doing so, it offers a panoramic view of their shared journey while also reflecting on the personal and political legacies of their generation. The analysis serves as both a tribute to their extraordinary experiences and an invitation to consider the broader lessons of their history.

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 1991.