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SHORT NOTES

Culture. Jaworska has undertaken the difficult task of reconstructing the morals and customs promoted by the weekly Przekrój in 1945-62. Her book is therefore not a classical monograph presenting the weekly. The structure of the study, though interesting and original, can give rise to doubts. The introductory chapter is followed by a part devoted to Marian Eile, the periodicaPs first (and most important in its history) editor-in-chief. In the third chapter, which is of key importance in her analysis, Jaworska explains and interprets the term civilization on the basis of the reflections of Norbert Elias and Jerzy Jedlicki. In the fourth chapter entitled ‘Miscellany* she presents the periodicaPs ‘visiting card’, the feuilletons published on its last page. The next parts discuss subjects bclonging to the three fields in which Przekrój had the ambition to shape the tastes and customs of its readers: fashions, drinking and cuisinc. In the rather short eighth chapter she describes two social campaigns in which the periodical took an active part: the fight against the custom of kissing women’s hands and the popularization of motorization. A separate place is devoted to the weekly*s graphic aspect and the presence of art in the periodical. Jaworska analyzes the civilization promoted by Przekrój and the mentality and customs of its readers, being aware of the fact that what she examines is a past epoch, a closed world in which different experiences, norms and ideas prevailed. (OL)

Tadeusz Paweł Rutkowski, Nauki historyczne w Polsce 1944-1970. Zagadnienia polityczne i organizacyjne [Historical Sciences in Poland 1944-1970: Political and Organizational Questions], Warszawa 2008, Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, 630 pp., index of persons

The author discusses the development of historical Sciences in the first 25 years of the Polish People*s Republic. His analysis is focused on two questions: the authorities* policy towards historical Sciences and the organizational develop-ment of scientific institutions conducting historical research. The term ‘historical Sciences* is used in the book in a broad meaning which also includes related disciplines. The author says that from 1948 the authorities* tactics consisted in eliminating from scientific lifc persons regarded as idcological adversaries. But they lacked time completely to reorganize science and change the staffs during the Stalinist period. After 1956, scholars previously regarded as enemies returned to work. Nevertheless, the main aim of the ‘scientific policy* pursued by the Polish United Workers* Party (PZPR) was to impose political control on scientific institutes. This was accompanied by the backing of historians who, as the author says, ‘guaranteed loyalty and an active commitment to the imple-mentation of the Polish United Workers* Party*s policy.* In 1968 many scholars rcbelled against the PZPR policy. As a result of the ‘March events* the main role in historical science began to be played by a younger generation of historians, most of whom were linked to the PZPR. As the attempts to impose Marxist methodology on scientific research were inconsistent, the classical historical methodology was saved. The book is based on documents of the science section of the PZPR Central Committee, the Ministry of Higher Education, and acts of