Dear members of PoloniaSFO distribution list: "Neighbors" has been nominated to run for the 2001 National Book Award. It is very rare that I appeal to you personally and ask for help to defend the Polish cause in America. Please read my letter to the National Book Awards Committee and join me TODAY in defending the Polish history. We can make a difference. Please help. The decision will be made on November 14, 2001.
You can copy my letter or the other examples enclosed below and send it TODAY or if you disagree please write your own. Address: [EMAIL PROTECTED] List of nominations: http://www.publishersweekly.com/nbf/docs/nba01_final_nonfict.html Thank you. Edmund Lewandowski ========== National Book Foundation 95 Madison Avenue, Suite 709 New York, NY 10016 Phone (212) 685-0261 Fax (212) 213-6570 [EMAIL PROTECTED] RE: 2001 National Book Awards >From your web site: "The goal [of National Book Awards] is to enhance the public's awareness of exceptional books written by fellow Americans, ..." Nomination of "Neighbors" is a disgrace to the integrity of National Book Foundation. As expressed by several prominent historians, historical data in "Neighbors" is proven to be very unreliable and untrustworthy. It is sickening that on your web site you even repeat some of the lies invented for marketing of this book -- "one half of the town murdered another half". Please, just refer to one of the most respected places recording Jewish suffering: http://www.holocaustchronicle.org/StaticPages/246.html Awarding this book as the winner would be a huge step backward in the Polish - Jewish dialogue. Sincerely, Edmund Lewandowski 7 West 41st Avenue # 314 San Mateo, CA 94403 ========================= To the National Book Foundation: The US edition of NEIGHBORS opens with an epigraph from Abraham Lincoln: "My fellow citizens, we cannot escape history." Indeed, history continues to correct Jan T. Gross. But the marketing campaign for his book disregards history. With the exception of Istvan Deak in the NYR, the well-placed reviews have been uncritical, even after the discovery of German bullets at the site of the murders. Supporting historical scholarship is one thing, and selling books is another. Which one are you doing? Yours truly, ========================= Dear Sirs: I am writing to request that you reconsider your nomination of Professor Jan Gross' book "Neighbors". I am afraid that you may be unaware of the controversy involving this book. It is clear to me that Professor Gross has compiled an obviously flawed teleological work in his review of a known, historical criminal act by selectively using the testimony of only three of the nineteen witnesses at the trial. No literary reviewing source seems willing to critically explore the background of Professor Gross' charges, blindly accepting them on face value. This book has such a lemming-like following that when several well meaning, noted scholars legitimately questioned Professor Gross' methods and conclusions in letters to the London Times Literary Supplement their character was attacked with the false and hurtful charge of being anti-semites. I feel that ultimately Professor Gross' book "Neighbors" will prove to be an embarassment similar to the Pulitzer Prize that was recently awarded (and later rescinded) for the fictitious biography of the teen age gang member. I fully realize the difficultly that a reconsideration would cause and in my heart doubt that you would have the fortitude to do so but I still feel compelled to urge you to act correctly and withdraw this nomination. Sincerely, ========================= [EMAIL PROTECTED] Protest of "Neighbors" I am protesting the nomination and potential award of the National Book Award to "Neighbors" by Jan Gross in the non-fiction category. As expressed by several prominent historians, historical data in "Neighbors" is proven to be very unreliable and untrustworthy. Awarding "Neighbors" on November 14 with the National Book Award would be a disgrace to the integrity of National Book Foundation and would dishonor the tremendous Polish sacrifice and heroism during the German occupation of Poland. Larry Adams 4537 Dewey Newport, Michigan =====================
