The diary spanning four wartime years that the author spent in France has become one of the most significant Polish books of the 20th century. In it, Bobkowski documented the progression of wartime events and, with remarkable insight, diagnosed the European crisis in a catastrophic light.

Andrzej Bobkowski (1913–1961) was a writer and publicist. In March 1939, he moved to Paris with his wife. He worked at an arms factory near Paris and was evacuated with it to the south of France. In 1940, he returned to Paris and continued working at the factory. During the German occupation, he participated in the Resistance movement.

After the war, he became one of the key contributors to the magazine "Kultura," the main publication of the Polish émigré community, which played a significant role in fostering change in Poland. It was under the aegis of "Kultura" that his wartime diary was published.

In 1948, Bobkowski moved to Guatemala and opened a model airplane shop. He authored several books, including a rich collection of letters.

This edition was made possible with financial support from the Book Institute — © POLAND Translation Program. The publisher extends its gratitude to the Literary Institute "KULTURA" (Institut Littéraire "KULTURA") in Maisons-Laffitte.