NYC Gazette

Professor Joshua Zimmerman, YU’s Eli and Diana Zborowski Chair in Holocaust Studies and East European Jewish History, recently had his book, Józef Pilsudski: Founding Father of Modern Poland, translated into standard Mandarin Chinese. The book, which has become the definitive biography of the military leader and statesman who led Poland to independence in 1918, defended Jewish rights, and championed Ukrainian statehood, is now available for readers in Taiwan to enjoy.

Regarding the interest in Józef Pilsudski in Taiwan, Professor Zimmerman highlighted the parallels between Taiwan's situation and Poland's fight for independence from Russia. He noted that "Taiwan identifies with Pilsudski’s efforts to separate from an imperial power and assert its own identity as a free country." Zimmerman emphasized Pilsudski's vision for Ukrainian independence, stating, "there can be no independent Poland without an independent Ukraine."

In light of the current war in Ukraine and the ongoing tensions surrounding Taiwan, Zimmerman's book provides valuable insight into historical and geopolitical dynamics. Zimmerman remarked, "I have become witness to a personality in Pilsudski who was way ahead of his time by stating to the world you can’t suppress Ukrainian independence."

Looking ahead, Professor Zimmerman is scheduled to give a talk on Pilsudski’s relationship with Jews at the Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow, Poland in June. The book's translation into Mandarin Chinese comes at a crucial time, offering readers in Taiwan and across the globe a deeper understanding of the foreign affairs landscape.

For those interested in exploring Professor Zimmerman's book further, it is available for purchase on Amazon. Additional information about the book and Professor Zimmerman's work can be found on the official Yeshiva University website.