With Fire and Sword

In 1647, Poland faces destruction. It may come from without, as Tartar hordes swarm over steppes, turning cities to ash and Poles to slaves. It may come from within, as treasonous Hmelnitski leads his Cossacks in devastating revolt. Or it may come simply because the nation's leaders and nobility have become selfish, lazy, and complacent, and are ill-equipped to face the horrors coming their way. If Poland is to survive, it will depend on the heroes who rise in her time of need. With Fire And Sword is the first book of the Henryk Sienkiewicz's immortal epic trilogy. The story is set in the 17th century and follows the struggle of the kingdom of Poland to maintain its unity in the face of the Cossack-led peasant rebellion. The book well shows the passions, good and evil, which rule men. It beautifully displays the courage of doing what is noble at all costs, and graphically portrays the depths of depravity to which people can sink. The description of deeds of bravery are uplifting, those of barbaric brutality are shocking. Sienkiewicz's vivid language made it one of the most popular books about that particular place and era. This edition comes hardbound with illustrations.