About Aleksander Krawczuk

"I shall write the best books, the most important books.
My books shall be at once about the antique and the here and now,
interesting to scholars and accessible to the common man. And I shall write them
with the simplicity and clarity of Bertrand Russell."

Aleksander Krawczuk, aspiring author, 1946

Aleksander Krawczuk (1922-2023) was a great classical scholar, a professor at the Jagiellonian University, Poland's minister of culture, and... a publishing phenomenon. His books about classical antiquity became mainstream best-sellers. Though Russian Cold War policies made it impossible to publish these books in the West, they became an international success across Eastern Europe and their author--a TV celebrity.

What has made his books such best-sellers?

In part, it is his writing style. Krawczuk's prose is vernacular, accessible, and conversational. It has passages of great literary beauty, but they come across as effortless and natural. Krawczuk never seeks to show off or impress. His aim is to share his feelings and impressions.

In part, it is the format of his books. Traditionally, books on history fall into one of two categories: they are either "one-damn-thing-after-another" narratives; or arguments ("I disagree with the popular interpretation that...). But Krawczuk never does either. He always surprises with something new, fresh, and different; things like a kaleidoscopic panorama of an age, or a reimagining of the internal life of a historical figure, or an attempt to understand a famous love story, or a recreation of an ancient debate regarding gods' failure to punish sin.

And then there is his message: though his books are intended for the general reader and speak in a simple, accessible prose, they never dumb things down; they are ambitious books with thought-provoking content. They disprove the notion that "Joe Public" is stupid and reads only pap. "Joe Public," it turns out, is interested in serious thought as long as it does not pose, show off, or bristle with jargon.

Perhaps the most important is the way his books see the parallels between the past and the present. Examples from modern history can help us understand what happened in the past, and what happened in the past helps us see our own selves in a new light, a new perspective.

Aleksander's books are a rare and timeless delight. You really should try one. Perhaps try one of our special offers--there is always some eBook or audiobook available for just $0.99

aleksander Krawczuk
celebrates his 100th birthday