For the Good of the Nation

Although orphan care in Poland after World War I is often mentioned in Polish studies, Martin's book is the first to cover this topic--and American assistance in particular--in such a thorough and detailed fashion. ... Sean Martin collected material for his book in libraries and archives on three continents. Not every specialist on interwar Poland, Jewish history, Polish-Jewish-American relations, or history of social work--to whom this book would be of particular interest--has had such an opportunity. By publishing his documentary history, Martin has unlocked the libraries and archives for his colleagues. Documents sitting untouched on the shelves of archives or libraries, like books with uncut edges, remain silent. Martin has allowed them to speak. Moreover, by reconstructing the tragic history, he, either explicitly or implicitly, holds us accountable to children for all the wars that we have waged and, sadly, continue to wage. --Olga Medvedeva-Nathoo, The Polish Review -- The Polish Review For the Good of the Nation should be an interesting book and source of references for researchers of interwar Polish-Jewish society, culture, social politics, and education. All readers will have a chance to discover in this volume something relevant to their research. It may serve also as an important inspiration for the next research undertaking. --Kamil Kijek, Institute for Jewish Studies, University of Wroclaw, Slavic Review, Vol. 77, No. 4--Kamil Kijek Slavic Review