Impressions of America

When Konstanty Buszczyński travelled to America in 1910 it was the start of a love affair that would culminate in his appointment as the first Polish Consul of New York. He was delighted by the wide variety of landscapes and people he encountered and recorded everything for the benefit of readers back home in Poland. Whether it is describing his visit to Niagara Falls (where all the staff had left for a funeral) or explaining the National Park system (admirable but watch out for rattlesnakes) Buszczyński had an opinion on everything. Includes a foreword by Dominic A. Pacyga Professor Emeritus at Columbia College Chicago and author of American Warsaw: The Rise Fall and Rebirth of Polish Chicago.In lively prose Impressions of America evokes the energy and complexity of the society and culture of the United States in the era of Theodore Roosevelts presidency. Buszczyński pays little attention to politics but captures the complexity diversity of the society economy and culture particularly the popular culture. It is a remarkable survey across the continent.- Thomas H. Bender Professor Emeritus New York UniversityWhen Konstanty Buszczynski returned to Poland after visiting the United States shortly before World War I he carried a rosy picture of what he had seen and what he believed the United States stood for. Particularly striking was his view of the United States strong moral traditions a view that probably needed to be qualified at the time but that still offered a welcome complement to less complimentary opinions from foreign visitors. This first English translation of the book is particularly welcome for showing what a wide-awake Polish businessman found to be important in his American sojourn. - Mark Noll Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History Emeritus University of Notre Dame