{"product_id":"9781906042448","title":"Xenophobe's Guide to the Poles","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eA polarized people\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Poles are either bubbling with life, or comatose; they love or they loathe. It is this total commitment to the occupation of the moment which earns them the reputation of being mercurial. As Hemar wrote in his song: “If only Poles did systematically and economically what they do spontaneously, they would be perfect.”\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eNecessity is the mother of invention\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eKey national characteristics are adaptability, a knack for improvisation, and the ability to make the best of what is available. A good Polish cook is one who can make gourmet soup from a rusty nail.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Polish touch\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eDevotion to style pervades all areas of life: the table might be rickety, but it is covered with a snowy tablecloth and decorated with a vase of flowers.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eNever say never\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eWhen the Communists rather foolishly tried to stop the Poles practicing their religion, the churches filled to overflowing. “Forbidden” is a term of encouragement to a Pole.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Oval Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47054561542384,"sku":"9781906042448","price":7.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781906042448_p0.jpg?v=1763615980","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781906042448","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}