Advance
Preprints are early versions of research articles that have not been peer reviewed. They should not be regarded as conclusive and should not be reported in news media as established information.
1/1
5 files

Promoting diversity. The Polonia Book Fund, Ltd Transnational Network, 1958-1963

preprint
posted on 2019-10-04, 18:26 authored by Pawel SowinskiPawel Sowinski

This article discusses the history of the so-called “book program”—a joint effort by the U.S. government, the East European diaspora, and readers of prohibited books behind the Iron Curtain. Between 1956 and 1989 the program purchased some 10 million copies of publications and delivered them to people in Soviet–dominated Eastern Europe in order to undermine communist rule. Using the historical materials of the Polonia Book Fund, a U.S.–sponsored publishing project for Poland, this article contributes new insights on the transatlantic perspective of the cultural Cold War. This article focuses on the program’s early stages, and describes various elements of the transnational smuggling network. The program’s state-private partnership was a workable solution that helped to foster a diversity of opinions in post-Stalinist Poland.

Funding

This text was written with the support of the Polish National Science Center “Program książkowy dla Polski 1956-1989 (“The Book Program for Poland 1956-1989,” UMO-2016/23/B/HS/00445).

History

Declaration of conflicts of interest

None

Corresponding author email

sowinski@isppan.waw.pl

Lead author country

  • Poland

Lead author job role

  • Higher Education Researcher

Lead author institution

Institute of Political Studies, Warsaw, Poland

Human Participants

  • Yes

Ethics statement

This research does not require permission from the ethical committee.

Comments

Log in to write your comment here...

Usage metrics

    Advance: Social Sciences & Humanities

    Licence

    Exports