Rasa Ardys-Juška

“Books to Note”

Rasa Ardys-Juška is the editor of BRIDGES.

It is always difficult to find books about aspects of Lithuanian history, culture, and the people in the English language. Several books have been recently published that may fill in the gaps, although we need more writers to publish. A sorely-needed book would entail Lithuanian literature. It is difficult to translate some of the very well-known works but, definitely doable. Literature gives the reader a look into the way Lithuanians viewed themselves, their country, and their relationships.

In the meantime, the following books are excellent additions to any library and for any person craving comprehensive Lithuanian-related information. The books can be easily ordered by writing to the addresses included in the descriptions.

History — Politics

A HISTORY OF THE LITHUANIAN MILITARY FORCES IN WORLD WAR II 1939-1945 by Henry L. Gaidis fills in all the gaps about what happened in Lithuania during World War II. The fact that it covers this one specific time period allows the reader to delve into detailed information about many facets of the struggle for independence.

The Knight’s review (January-February 1999) stated that “the text gives a brief history of the modern day Lithuanian army since its 1918 founding. Also included is a description of its military and political structure during the 1940 Soviet occupation, the 1941 Nazi invasion, the Lithuanian war front, the Second 1944 Soviet occupation, and the subsequent 1944 – 1956 Lithuanian partisan struggle.” Detailed documentation puts into perspective the time of the Nazi occupation and how Lithuania reacted to the Jewish persecution – countering the numerous falsehoods hostile to the Lithuanian people.

To order the book, write to The Lithuanian Research and Studies Center, 5600 South Claremont Ave., Chicago, IL 60636-1039 – cost is $28.50 plus $3.00 shipping and handling.

LITHUANIA IN EUROPEAN POLITICS – The Years of the First Republic, 1918 to 1940 by Alfonsas Eidintas, Vytautas Zalys, and Edvardas Tuskenis (with an introduction and afterword by Alfred Erich Senn) is now in paperback. According to the St. Martin's Press, the book recounts how Lithuanian national consciousness grew from a shred feeling of unstructured instincts to a firm sense of nationhood.

A thorough review of the book was given in Issue 3, 1998 of BRIDGES by Tomas A. Michalski, PhD. Michalski stated that "the book is a very important and much-needed study. The history presented is not only timely, but extremely useful in understanding the perennial internal and international problems facing Lithuanian today."

The paperback version, copyright Oct. 18, 1999, is available at any bookstore. The publisher is St. Martin's Press, ISBN: 0-312-22458-3 (paperback), with a cost of $18.95.

LITHUANIA AGAINST SOVIET AND NAZI AGGRESSION by Adolfas Damušis chronicles the three occupations of Lithuania during World War II with archival research and personal recollections. Source documents used for this important book were surveyed at two major repositories – the National Archives in Washington, D.C. and the Gestapo archive at Ludwigsburg, Germany. Information and photos from interviews with former colleagues in the resistance were also included.

Damušis includes a brief history of Lithuania, events leading to and about the effects of the first and second Soviet occupation, the German occupation, anti-Nazi and anti-Soviet resistance, the National Lithuanian Army, and other detailed accounts and events of that time period. The 342-page book is amply illustrated with photos, maps and documents. The book is available from The American Foundation for Lithuanian Research, Inc., 12690 Archer Ave., Lemont, IL 60439 -- hardcover price is $15.00.

NEWBERRY LITUANICA by Giedra Subačienė and Giedrius Subačius presents a catalog of the oldest Lithuanian books found in the Bonaparte collection at the Newberry Library in Chicago, Illinois. The Lithuanian-American Community's Committee for the Commemoration of the 450th Anniversary of the Publication of the First Lithuanian Book initiated the sponsorship of a catalog featuring a vast and significant repository of linguistic books published before 1900.

Ninety-two books on Lithuanian and Prussian subjects were found amongst Prince Louis-Lucien Bonaparte's, nephew of Emperor Napoleon I, collection. Many of the books are Lithuanian grammars, dictionaries, and a hymnal. This fine catalog describes each book to benefit prospective readers and researchers. Pictures and illustrations from the books give the reader an understanding of the contents of these valuable books.

Culture

LITHUANIAN CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS by Danutė Brazytė Bindokienė is now in its third printing. This popular book, written in both English and Lithuanian with a side-by-side format, includes family celebrations, calendar feast days, national holidays, and characteristics of Lithuanian culture. Songs, recipes, detailed customs, photos and illustrations bring the Lithuanian culture to life. Interesting trivia give the reader a more real life look into the life of Lithuanians. BRIDGES has highlighted information from this book many times – a valuable resource for those interested in customs and traditions.

To order this book, write to the World Lithuanian Community Educational Commission, 13648 Kickapoo Trail, Lockport, Illinois 60441 – cost is $18.00.

To order this book, write to Dalia S. Anysienė, 614 F South Laflin Court, Chicago, Illinois 60607 – cost of the book is $9.00 (checks made out to the Lithuanian-American Community).

Religion

The trilogy LITHUANIAN RELIGIOUS LIFE IN AMERICA by historian Fr. William Wolkovich-Valkavičius is now complete. It took 12 years to research and write. Volume one encompasses the Eastcoast; Volume two is devoted exclusively to Pennsylvania; Volume three embraces Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, and the rest of the Midwest. There are over 150 entries on parishes, including Lithuanian Protestants, religious communities, and miscellaneous listings. Hundreds of clergy biographies, as well as those of outstanding nuns, are found in this hard cover, acid-free paper series. Indexes include parishes, persons, places, and institutions.

For a free detailed description and copies of book reviews of the first two volumes, write to: Lith. Parish History Project, 36 St. George Ave., Norwood, MA 02062-4420. If you identify yourself as a BRIDGES reader, you receive a substantial discount off the usual $150.00 price of the series.

UNDYING MORTAL by Msgr. Pranas Gaida (translated by Rev. Anthony A. Jurgelaitis, O.P. S.T.L., S.T.Lr., Litt. D.) covers the life of Archbishop Teofilius Matulionis – "shepherd, prisoner and martyr".

In the author's foreword, Msgr. Gaida writes, "From the dark shadows of a long struggle against atheistic Communism, Teofilius Matulionis rose to the aid of the faithful like a shining star, radiating spirituality with quiet determination, prayer, sacrifice, brotherly love and unwavering faith. The light of his star shines not only in Lithuania, but throughout the Christian world." The Archbishop's birthplace, family, work, "trials and joys", meetings with people outside of Lithuania, and imprisonments are followed with detail within the book.

To order the book, write to The Lights of Homeland, 2185 Stavebank Rd., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, L5C 1T3 – cost is $8.00 plus $3.00 shipping and handling.

Video

VILNIUS – THE SYMBOL OF A NEW EUROPE released by Vilnius on Video is not a book, but a 47-minute documentary video focusing on the history and culture of Vilnius in the English language. The contents present Lithuanian history, principal tourist sites, the city's different cultures - including Lithuanian, Russian, Polish and Jewish, and a look at Vilnius today.

The film has an excellent score – ranging from Bach to traditional Lithuanian music – and highlights such places as the Old Town, churches, the University, the Trakai Castle, and the many new restaurants and shops. This video can be an excellent addition to any club meeting or as a pre-travel primer helping you decide where to go and what to see.

To order the video, write to APT Management, 736 N. Western Ave. #222, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045 – make checks payable to APT Management for $25.00 (Illinois residents please add 6% sales tax). For additional copies, add $20.00 each.