They: Polish Stalinists Explain Themselves

A Riveting Account of the Inner Workings of the Polish Communist Party

In her groundbreaking book, Teresa Toranska offers a rare and intimate look inside the Polish Communist Party during the Stalinist era. Based on extensive interviews with former party members, Toranska paints a vivid portrait of a world of paranoia, betrayal, and violence.

A Personal Journey into the Heart of Darkness

Toranska's journey begins in the early 1950s, when she was a young journalist in Warsaw. She quickly became disillusioned with the communist regime, and she began to secretly interview former party members who had been purged or imprisoned. These interviews form the basis of They, a book that is both a powerful indictment of Stalinism and a moving account of personal survival.

The Faces of Stalinism

The people Toranska interviews come from all walks of life. There are high-ranking party officials, low-level functionaries, and ordinary citizens who were caught up in the machinery of repression. Each person has a unique story to tell, but they all share a common experience of fear, betrayal, and loss.

The System of Terror

Toranska's interviews reveal the inner workings of the communist system of terror. She describes the methods used by the secret police to extract confessions, the show trials that were used to purge the party of its enemies, and the labor camps where millions of people were sent to die.

The Human Cost of Stalinism

The human cost of Stalinism is incalculable. Millions of people were killed, imprisoned, or exiled. Families were torn apart, and lives were shattered. Toranska's book is a powerful reminder of the dangers of totalitarianism and the importance of fighting for freedom and democracy.

A Must-Read for Anyone Interested in History, Politics, or Human Nature

They is a must-read for anyone interested in history, politics, or human nature. It is a powerful and moving account of one of the darkest chapters in human history.

Praise for They

"A brilliant and devastating account of the Polish Communist Party during the Stalinist era. Toranska's book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of totalitarianism." —Timothy Snyder, author of Bloodlands

"A powerful and moving account of personal survival in the face of unimaginable terror. Toranska's book is a testament to the human spirit." —Anne Applebaum, author of Gulag

"A gripping and unforgettable book. Toranska's interviews with former party members are a chilling reminder of the dangers of totalitarianism." —David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker