Positives The book offers unique content, distinct from previously published material, which provides a fresh perspective for readers. It is particularly praised for its competent and engaging descriptions of significant, interesting, and characteristic buildings that were lost in post-war Warsaw. Reviewers appreciate the substantial amount of information the book provides regarding these architectural elements.
Negatives However, the book's introductory sections draw significant criticism for their perceived one-sided condemnation of post-war urban planners and the decisions made during that era. The reviewer finds the wholesale rejection of efforts to create a more spacious and green city, as well as the accusations against the regime for destroying old urban fabric, to be irritating and outdated. It is argued that the book overlooks crucial historical context, such as the pre-war origins and intentions of the architects involved in reconstruction, and the practical challenges of rebuilding a devastated city. The reviewer also points out that many of the "architectural gems" lamented were considered old and often not architecturally missed by 1945, and that rebuilding them would have been prohibitively expensive compared to constructing new. The book is ultimately viewed as a relic reflecting an era where nearly all aspects of the post-war socialist period were uncritically dismissed as negative.
Conclusion In conclusion, while the book serves as a valuable source of information on specific lost buildings of Warsaw, its strong and somewhat anachronistic critical stance on post-war urban planning might be polarizing. It would likely appeal to readers with a deep interest in the architectural details of historical Warsaw and those who share a nostalgic view for the pre-war city, appreciating a critique of socialist-era development. However, readers seeking a more nuanced, historically contextualized, and contemporary analysis of post-war reconstruction efforts may find its overarching arguments to be simplistic or frustratingly outdated.
