Jerzy Zenkiewicz's book "Lithuania over the centuries and its connections with Poland" is one of the first popular science studies on the Polish market which comprises a synthesis of the history of Lithuania since its origins as a state until the present times. The author has also made an attempt to reconstruct the complicated Polish-Lithuanian relationship and the influence and role of the Poles who inhabited the historical land of Auksztota and Zmudz on the history of Lithuania. The study is enriched by seven maps and three appendices. Moreover, the author referred to ninety three publications and rich family reports and traditions of Poles living on Neman and Vilya.
The study is divided into eight parts. Part One presents the beginnings of Lithuania, the mystery concerning the origin of the Lithuanians, the Baltic tribes' settlement and the origins of tribe-state organization. Part Two deals with the 13th and the 14th centuries and describes how Mendog, Giedymin, Olgierd and Kiejstut created the state. Additionally, the Lithuanian expansion and fights with the Teutonic Order and the Grand Duchy of Moscow are elaborated on. Administration system and social profile are also discussed. Part Three considers the years 1385 - 1440 and presents the reasons of the Polish-Lithuanian Union formation with treaties signed in Krewa and Horod³o, the consequences of christening, preparations to war against the Teutonic Order resulting in the victory at Grunwald. What is more, it discusses the internal situation and diverse aspects of Prince Witold policy as a creator of the expansion and the development of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Part Four comprises years 1440 - 1569 and discusses wars against Moscow and further process of strengthening the gentry position and magnate oligarchy. The process of strengthening the state is discussed as well as census and land, administrative, army and judicial reforms. Also, the influence of Renaissance trends on the cultural life of Lithuania is presented. Part Five deals with the characteristic of Lithuania as a component of the Commonwealth in the years 1569- 1795 from Lublin Union to losing independence. Part Six concerns years 1795 - 1882 and shows Lithuania under partition. Particular attention is drawn to the Napoleon Campaign, November and January Uprisings, the situation of gentry and the process of its, degradation. Part Seven deals with the period from 1882 to 1919 and discusses the issues concerning the revival of the Lithuanian's national identity, the growth of Lithuanian nationalism and the Polish-Lithuanian conflict. Political, economical and cultural situation is examined as well as the prevailing Polish-Lithuanian relationship at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Conditions and aspects of the First World War which led to the revival of Lithuania are characterized there. Part Eight tackles the time from 1919 up till now and presents how Lithuania was functioning as a state after WW I as well as the period of WW II and the development of socio-political and economic events in Lithuania until it gained full independence in 1991. Appendix 3 of the present study, the result of the author's long lasting research, contains a long list of Polish mansions in Kowno area after 1919 which is a valuable source for examining the latest history of both Poland and Lithuania. The book contains a large number of illustrations.