Visit Warsaw, Wrocław, Wycombe even, and you’ll find countless examples of literary mastery to aid your enjoyment of the city. Not so in Łódź, where a trip to tourist information will reveal just a handful of pamphlets written in your chosen tongue. So, it’s a good job that what there is, is actually rather fab. One author in particular has nailed the market, and that’s journalist Joanna Podolska, a local-based hack with a clear passion for the city. There’s two books of note here. First up, there’s Łódź – The Golden Book, a glossy A-4 size effort that retails for approximately 50zł. Presented inside are all the key sights, accompanied by a through commentary that will plug all the gaps in your knowledge. The photography here is superb as well, with several close-up shots of Piotrkowska facades, as well as old archive material such as postcards of pre-war Jewish Łódź. It’s Jewish history that particularly interests Podolska, and that’s the subject of her second book, Traces of the Litzmannstadt-Getto. As the title suggests, this diary sized book takes readers on a step-by-step tour of the Jewish Ghetto, with detailed commentaries complimented by black and white photographs snapped by Ghetto chroniclers. Put simply this is an absolute must-have and the finest work you’ll find on this chapter in the history of Łódź. Best of all, it’s yours for 30zł. By Podolska’s own admission it’s still very much a work in progress, so keep your eyes peeled for re-prints and updates. Finding these books, however, can be a bit of a battle. Traces of the Litzmannstadt-Getto and Łódź – The Golden Book can both be found at Empik (they can also order copies if they are out of stock).
Europe’s leading publisher of locally produced city guide
ESSENTIAL CITY GUIDES
So true sadly...