Poland's remarkable quest for representative government, one of the oldest in modern Europe, is presented here against the backdrop of a millennium of history rich in cultural, political, and social events. These topics--complemented with Polish art, literature, music, architecture, and folklore--are intimately described in this concise volume, which also includes 50 photos, illustrations, and maps. This edition has been updated with 16 pages of color photos and 8 pages of coats of arms.