WARSAW: The book „Upadek. How We Lost the First Republic,” authored by Jacek Komuda, is attracting the attention of readers all over Poland and at the same time recording better and better sales results. The author of the publication is a well-known writer, of historical novels, set in the realities of the Polish Noble Republic. His work has been repeatedly awarded during various literary plebiscites, such as the Leonid Teliga Award, the Tomasz Merta Award or the Guardian of Memory Statues. 

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How does the book „Downfall. How we lost the First Republic”?

Jack Komuda’s latest book „Upadek. How We Lost the First Republic” remains among the top best-selling books in April 2025. Among other things, it ranks 2nd in the history book category in Empik chain stores and 5th bestseller in Dressler. 

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What are the characteristics of books whose author is Jacek Komuda?

Jacek Komuda, who has accustomed readers to colorful and engaging historical novels, in this book takes the form of a journalistic analysis of the fall of the First Republic. The author demonstrates in an interesting way what mechanisms led to the collapse of Polish statehood at the end of the 18th century. 

How did the fall of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth occur?

The collapse of the First Commonwealth, or the Republic of the Two Nations (Poland and Lithuania), was a long process, culminating in the partitions carried out by the 3 neighboring powers of the time: the Russian Empire (Russia), the Kingdom of Prussia (Germany) and the Habsburg Monarchy (Austria). From Jacek Komuda’s book one can learn what the actual reasons for this process were. The author of the book fights the stereotypes that circulate around the subject, such as the main search for blame in the institution of the „Liberum Veto”. 

What about the book „Upadek. How We Lost the First Republic” is judged by Boguslaw Mazur?

„Jacek Komuda in his book „Upadek. How We Lost the First Republic” does not bore, does not muddy the content with unnecessary details, despite its erudition, does not tire the reader.” – Boguslaw Mazur, on the Salon24 web portal, claims. – „His descriptions of the characters, sometimes adventurous, are full-blooded, colorful, which could be used to create film serials. The author, by the way, recalls the story of Krystian Kalkstein, which inspired the creators of the TV series „Black Clouds.” The author intersperses his descriptions with condensed reflections on, for example, the economy, citing source materials. It’s a really great read.” – Evaluated by Boguslaw Mazur, on the Salon24 web portal.

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Why the book „Falling. How We Lost the First Republic” is gaining wide interest? 

The book „The Fall. How We Lost the First Republic”, which was written by Jacek Komuda, is gaining wide interest precisely because of the issues discussed, concerning the decline and end of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Not only because of the historical message, but above all the message, concerning current events in Polish as well as international politics.

Whether and when Jacek Komuda has author meetings?

Interest in the book „Downfall. How We Lost the First Republic” continues to grow, and the author himself has announced that he will participate in more author meetings and interviews in May and June 2025. The next one will be organized by the Ronin Club on Monday, June 23, 2025. The event will be broadcast live on the Internet. 

Who is Jacek Komuda?

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Jacek Lech Komuda – writer, historian by training. Author of many historical novels and short stories, set mainly in the realities of Sarmatian Poland. He claims to be an „Anti-Sienkiewicz.” He studied at the Department of History at Warsaw University. His knowledge of history and narrative talent were even appreciated by the game industry – he wrote the screenplay for, among others, the legendary „The Witcher”.

How did Jacek Komuda start his writing career?

Jacek Komuda began his writing career with „Tales from the Wilderness,” in 1999. Before that, he made his debut in the pages of Fantastyka monthly with the short story „Black Citadel.” Since 2002 he has been associated with the Lublin-based publishing house Fabryka Słów, where he has published a total of more than 20 books.

Does Jacek Komuda have a favorite literary hero of his own?

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The protagonist of many of Jacek Komuda’s short stories and novels is Jacek Dydyński – a Malopolska nobleman-avenger. In 2009, the writer began a novel series „Eagles in the Kremlin”, the main character of which is precisely Dydyński, and the action takes place during the expedition of Dmitri Samozwaniec to Moscow in 1604-1606. 

What are the achievements on account of Jacek Komuda?

Jacek Komuda is the co-author of the role-playing game „Wild Fields” and the scripts for the video games „Earth 2160” and „Deadfall Adventures.” He was an editor of the monthly computer games magazine „Gamestar” and also worked for „Click!” and „Komputer Świat Gry”. He published historical articles and scenarios and materials for the role-playing game „Wild Fields” in „Magic and Sword” magazine. He currently writes articles for the weekly conservative-liberal magazine „Do Rzeczy„.

What books has Jacek Komuda published?

Jacek Komuda has published the following books, among others: „Tales from the Wild Fields” (short story collection, Alfa, 1999), „Wolf’s Nest” (Fabryka Słów, 2002 ), „Tales from the Wild Fields” (revised edition, Fabryka Słów, 2004), „Warchoły i pijanice” (popular science book, Fabryka Słów, 2004.), „The Name of the Beast” (short story collection, Fabryka Słów, 2005), „Bohun (Fabryka Słów, 2006), „Black Saber” (short story collection, Fabryka Słów, 2007), „The Devil of Lancut” (novel, Fabryka Słów, 2007), „Galleons of War” vol. 1 (novel, Fabryka Słów, 2007), „Galleons of War”, vol. 2 (novel, Fabryka Słów, 2008.), „Black Bandera” (short story collection, Fabryka Słów, 2008), „Heresyarch” (short story collection, Fabryka Słów, 2008), „Samozwaniec” vol. 1 (novel, Fabryka Słów, 2009), „Outlaw” (novel, Fabryka Słów, 2010), „Samozwaniec” vol. 2 (novel, Fabryka Słów, 2010), „Teutonic Turmoil” (novel, Fabryka Słów, 2010.), „Samozwaniec”, vol. 3 (novel, Fabryka Słów, 2011), „Zborowski” (collection of short stories, Fabryka Słów, 2012), „Samozwaniec”, vol. 4 (novel, Fabryka Słów, 2013), „Ostatni honorowy” (novel, Fabryka Słów, 2015), „Hubal” (novel, Fabryka Słów, 2016), „Moskovska ladacznica”, vol. 1 (novel, Fabryka Słów, 2017), „Jaksa” (short story collection, Fabryka Słów, 2018), „Jaksa. Bies follows me” (novel, Fabryka Słów, 2019), „Westerplatte (novel, Fabryka Słów, 2019), „Wizna” (novel, Fabryka Słów, 2020), „Zawisza. Black Crosses” (novel, Fabryka Słów, 2021), „Zawisza. The Fractured Crescent” (novel, Fabryka Słów, 2023), „The Edibles and the Opilce” (culinary-geographical-historical guide, Fabryka Słów, 2024) and „The Fall. How We Lost the First Republic” (Fabryka Słów, 2025)

What short stories has Jacek Komuda written?

Jacek Komuda wrote the following short stories, among others: „The Black Citadel” („Nowa Fantastyka” 5/1991), „The Axe and the Gallows” („Voyager Almanac of Horror and Fantasy” 8/1994-1995), „Veto” („Golden Dragon” 1(3)/1995), „Forgotten Pride” („Fenix” 2/1995), „Three to Divide” („Nowa Fantastyka” 6/1996), „Vampires from Odrzykońska” („Nowa Fantastyka” 12/1999), „So Far from Heaven” („Nowa Fantastyka” 6/1997 and the anthology Robimy rewolucję, Prószyński i S-ka 2000), „Nobile verbum” („Nowa Fantastyka” 8/2003), „36 floors down” (anthology Demony, Fabryka Słów 2004), „Devil in the Stone” („Nowa Fantastyka” 10/2004), „Wilczyca” (anthology Niech żyje Polska hura!, Vol. 1, Fabryka Słów 2006), „Horde” („Nowa Fantastyka” 8/2018), „The Hate Speech of the Penitent Duki” („Nowy Napis Co Tydzień” 14/2019), „Dalian, you will be quartered” („Nowa Fantastyka” 7/2020).

What awards has Jacek Komuda received?

Jacek Komuda is the recipient of many literary awards, including: the Leonid Teliga Award for his novel „Galleons of War,” the Tomasz Merta Award „Between Literature and History,” and the Guardian of Memory Statuette in the „Creator” category for „the great value of literary creativity for the awakening and preservation of Polish historical memory.” 

What is the publishing house Fabryka Słów

Fabryka Słów Publishing House is a Polish literary publishing house, publishing mainly science-fiction literature and collections of political columns. In June 2009, the publishing house took over a science-fiction magazine, which ceased publication in 2021. The first book published by Fabryka Słów was „Chronicles of Jakub Wędrowycz”, whose author was Andrzej Pilipiuk. In addition, Fabryka Słów publishes books by authors such as Eugeniusz Dębski, Michal Gołkowski, Jaroslaw Grzedowic, Jacek Komuda, Maja Lidia Kossakowska, Magdalena Kozak, Jacek Piekara, Andrzej Ziemiański and Rafał Ziemkiewicz Image foreign language writers such as Peter V. Brett, Brian McClellan, Angus Watson, Jack Campbell, R. F. Kuang, Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Roman Kulikow or Miroslav Zamboch. Fabryka Słów’s publishing series include anthologies, Aces of Polish Fantastyka, Bestsellers of Polish  Fantastyka, Alien Blood and Fabryczna Zona.

The project is supported by the XBW Ignacy Krasicki Foundation, whose mission is to spread knowledge of Polish history.

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AI, culture, /DEC/ 4.05.2025 / photo Jacek Komuda Facebook

Article Jacek Komuda and his new book „Downfall. How We Lost the First Republic” in the spotlight comes from Agencja Informacyjna.