I am first a human being : the prison letters of Krystyna Wituska

Considering that she was writing these while confined in prison under sentence of death, I found Krystyna Wituska's letters to be remarkably cheerful and optimistic. Irene Tomaszewski's introduction provides a decent historical context to the letters as well as a good portrait of Krystyna's life, and the notes help the reader keep track of who was who in her life. (Though the notes were a bit repetitive at times. Yes, I know her aunt's husband was killed in the War. I got that the first time. You don't need to mention it over and over again.)

This is a good addition to the collection of books about the Polish resistance in World War II, as well as the political prisoners in Germany at that time, and it's not so depressing as many such books are. You can't help but like and admire Krystyna's upbeat attitude as well as her courage.

For a similar book out of Denmark, check out Heroic Heart: The Diary and Letters of Kim Malthe-Bruun 1941-1945.

(I profiled Krystyna in a guest entry on the blog Executed Today.) ( )