Ignacy Loga-Sowiński (1914–1992). Portret gomułkowca
Ignacy Loga-Sowinski (1914-1992). Portrait of the Gomułka’s man

Author(s): Krzysztof Lesiakowski
Subject(s): History, History of ideas, Transformation Period (1990 - 2010), History of Communism
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego
Keywords: Ignacy Loga-Sowiński; Polish biography of the 20th century; authority in the Polish People’s Republic; political life in Poland after World War II
Summary/Abstract: The history of the Polish People’s Republic is often perceived through the prism of the biographies of its leading politicians - Bolesław Bierut, Władysław Gomułka, Edward Gierek or Wojciech Jaruzelski. Thus, the terms as Gomułka's fourteen years or the Gierek’s decade are used. Thereby, it is emphasized how communist leaders impacted on the functioning of the state and society. Certainly, this approach is not sufficient and has to be broadened by including the biographies of the background figures, especially the closest associates of the current leader. Hence, writing about Gomułka should consider not only Prime Minister Józef Cyrankiewicz or Zenon Kliszko, but also Ignacy Loga-Sowiński (1914-1992) a.k.a. "Ignac" – about who this book is. He came from Łódź, where he joined the KPP (Communist Party of Poland), for what he was imprisoned. In 1939-1941, he was in Białystok, which was occupied by the Soviet Union, later he was active in the communist underground in German-occupied Poland. In the result of his activity, he was climbing the career ladder after war. He made a contact with Gomułka at the beginning of the war, and from the end of 1943 it was close cooperation. After "Wiesław" came into power in 1956, he became one of his closest friends. He experienced the October 1956 transformations with Gomułka, and they ended their careers in disgrace in December 1970. During this time, except the Stalinism episode, he was absolutely true to his leader just as to Moscow. This attitude allowed him to remain at the top of power for years. Loga-Sowiński's biography is a book about the lesser-known aspects of the functioning of the Polish People’s Republic elites - including the relations between people from the top leadership, and the means of ruling and embracing power.

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