Transforming the Polish military, with its proud history and record of heavy involvement in political upheavals, into an instrument of a democratic state and strong NATO ally was a daunting task. [This book] explains and clearly documents the dimensions of the transformation—all of its twists and turns, temporary failures, and major steps forward. Jeffrey Simon sees the whole forest—all stages ... Read moreof the reforms in their political meaning, day-by-day, fact after fact. This could be done only by someone who, like [Simon], personally participated, promoted, witnessed the developments, and, sometimes, advised on them. We in Poland are proud of the accomplishment and grateful to those who helped.
Andrzej Karkoszka, former first deputy defense minister, Polish Ministry of Defense Jeffrey Simon has written a rich and balanced account of Poland's defense reform after 1989. He has provided a wealth of factual information and captured the intricacies of the process. An incisive study in civil-military relations, [this] book offers a unique insight into the institutionalization and consolidation of Polish democracy. It should be required reading for any serious student of civil-military relations and democratization in Central Europe.
Andrew A. Michta, George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies In this detailed and well-argued account, Simon has provided the best account of the process of military reform and the creation of procedures for the democratic oversight of the armed forces that has been undertaken by successive Polish governments in the post-Cold War period.
Royal United Services Institute Journal
No author is better qualified, based on his detailed research and his experience, to tell the story of the emerging post-communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe than Jeff Simon.
Parameters
Jeffrey Simon's excellent survey of the Polish case illustrates the fact that armed forces reform in the CEE countries remains an on-going proces as opposed to simply a race to the finishing post marked by 'NATO membership'.
Stephen Blackwell, Head of European Security
Programme, Rusi
Poland and NATO is another well-documented and profound analysis by Jeffrey Simon. At a time when the whole trans-Atlantic community is trying to spread democracy to countries with histories of dictatorial, often military rule—like Iraq—the experience of other countries turning armed forces into an important but constructive and reliable part of a truly democratic system may be both encouraging and instructive.
Janusz Onyszkiewicz, former Polish Minister of Defense Careful and informative. Simon provides a detailed chronology of defense reforms since communism's collapse.
Naval War College Review
[This book] will stand as a reference point in future scholarship. [It is] carefully researched and well footnoted, citing all the right sources-in short, an excellent effort from Simon.
Slavic Review
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