The Rise of Solidarność: A Unified Movement for Change

This book chronicles the remarkable journey of the Solidarność (Solidarity) movement in Poland, from its roots in the economic hardships and political repression of the 1970s to its pivotal role in reshaping Eastern Europe. It details the landmark Gdańsk shipyard strike of 1980, the formal birth of the first independent trade union in the Soviet bloc, its explosive growth, and the severe crackdown under martial law. The narrative follows the movement's resilient underground resistance, its historic triumph at the Round Table Talks in 1989, and its decisive electoral victory that heralded the peaceful end of communist rule in Poland. The Rise of Solidarność is a powerful testament to courage, resilience, and the enduring power of peaceful collective action.