A Small Town in Ukraine

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This book unveils the hidden history of Krakowiec, a town forty miles west of Lviv, through the lens of historian Bernard Wasserstein, who explores his family's origins there. He recounts the town's dramatic past, aiming to understand how significant historical forces impacted ordinary lives. Wasserstein traces centuries of religious and political turmoil as various armies invaded the region. During the Enlightenment, Polish magnate Ignacy Cetner built a palace, fostering an era of refinement alongside his daughter, Princess Anna. Following the Habsburg takeover in 1772, Krakowiec evolved into a typical shtetl, home to a diverse population of Poles, Ukrainians, and Jews. However, the outbreak of World War I brought seven years of terror, deepening national tensions. The Holocaust saw the brutal murder of the Jewish community, while post-war expulsions left the town diminished. Today, Krakowiec faces a new wave of history as refugees flee Ukraine for Poland. Interwoven throughout the narrative are Wasserstein's own family stories, particularly that of his grandfather Berl, illustrating how the lives of Krakowiec's residents reflect the profound impact of history. This work is a remarkable exploration of recovery and insight.