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Table of Contents
About the Book
Foreword by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Lech Walesa. Introduction by Chief Rabbi of Poland.
“If there is going to be a war, I do not want to miss it.”
— Julian Kulski, age 10
So writes Julian Kulski a few days before the outbreak of World War II, in this remarkable diary of a boy at war from ages 10 to 16. As the war unfolds through his eyes, we are privileged to meet a rare soul of indomitable will, courage and compassion.
Kulski, the son of the Deputy Mayor of Warsaw, is a 10-year-old Boy Scout when the Germans invade Poland in September 1939. He soon begins waging his own private war against the Germans with small acts of sabotage. At age 12, Kulski is recruited into the clandestine Underground Army by his Scoutmaster and begins training in military tactics and weapons handling. At 13, he accompanies his commander on a secret mission into the Warsaw Ghetto to liaise with leaders of the Jewish Resistance.
Arrested by the Gestapo at age 14, Kulski is incarcerated in the notorious Pawiak Prison, beaten, interrogated at Gestapo headquarters, and sentenced to Auschwitz. After being rescued, he joins the Ninth Commando Company of the Underground Army, and at age 15 fights in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944.
Taken prisoner by the Germans, 16-year-old Kulski ends the war in a POW camp, finally risking a dash for freedom onto an American truck instead of waiting for “liberation” by the Soviets.
“If there is going to be a war, I do not want to miss it.”
— Julian Kulski, age 10
So writes Julian Kulski a few days before the outbreak of World War II, in this remarkable diary of a boy at war from ages 10 to 16. As the war unfolds through his eyes, we are privileged to meet a rare soul of indomitable will, courage and compassion.
Kulski, the son of the Deputy Mayor of Warsaw, is a 10-year-old Boy Scout when the Germans invade Poland in September 1939. He soon begins waging his own private war against the Germans with small acts of sabotage. At age 12, Kulski is recruited into the clandestine Underground Army by his Scoutmaster and begins training in military tactics and weapons handling. At 13, he accompanies his commander on a secret mission into the Warsaw Ghetto to liaise with leaders of the Jewish Resistance.
Arrested by the Gestapo at age 14, Kulski is incarcerated in the notorious Pawiak Prison, beaten, interrogated at Gestapo headquarters, and sentenced to Auschwitz. After being rescued, he joins the Ninth Commando Company of the Underground Army, and at age 15 fights in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944.
Taken prisoner by the Germans, 16-year-old Kulski ends the war in a POW camp, finally risking a dash for freedom onto an American truck instead of waiting for “liberation” by the Soviets.
About the Author
JULIAN KULSKI (1929–2021) was born in Warsaw, Poland. He was descended from a 19th century Chief Rabbi of Warsaw, Dov Beer Meisels, and an 18th century King of Poland, Stanislaw Leszczynski.
After the war, Kulski studied architecture in England and the U.S., receiving his B.Arch. in 1953 and M.Arch. in 1955 from Yale University, and a Ph.D. in Urban Planning in 1966 from the Warsaw Institute of Technology. He was a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) (an honor bestowed upon less than two percent of American architects) and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
After semi-retirement from a distinguished architectural career, Kulski led the urban and regional planning programs at Notre Dame University and at George Washington University, and later established the first city planning program at Howard University. For twenty years he served as a consultant to the World Bank, traveling around the world designing buildings in twenty-nine developing countries.
He is the author of several books and has published more than a hundred articles in professional journals. Kulski also produced an award-winning documentary about World War II titled Legacy of the White Eagle. He was a frequent speaker to audiences ranging in age from junior high school to adult.
Kulski was the recipient of numerous decorations awarded by the Polish government, including the highly prestigious Cross of Valor, the Commander’s Cross with Star of the Order of Merit, Silver Cross of Merit with Swords, the Home Army Cross, the Polish Army Medal (four times), and the Cross of the Warsaw Uprising.
Kulski made his home in Washington, D.C.
Watch video interviews with author Julian Kulski.
Julian Kulski’s Huffington Post blog on PTSD and writing.
Julian Kulski’s Huffington Post Veteran’s Day blog: “America’s Melting Pot of Veterans: A Shared Passion for Freedom.”
Product Details
- Publisher: Aquila Polonica Publishing (February 1, 2027)
- Length: 496 pages
- ISBN13: 9781607720355
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Raves and Reviews
WINNER of the Benjamin Franklin GOLD AWARD for INTERIOR DESIGN from the Independent Book Publishers Association.
WINNER of the Benjamin Franklin SILVER AWARD for AUTOBIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR from the Independent Book Publishers Association.
A Selection of the HISTORY BOOK CLUB and the MILITARY BOOK CLUB.
FINALIST Foreword Reviews INDIEFAB Book of the Year Award.
“Gripping personal account… a deeply moving and unique perspective to World War II… utterly wrenching, heartfelt, and visceral narrative… includes thought-provoking philosophies and musings… a compelling and polished read with its own irresistible momentum… Poignant, haunting, gritty, and bursting with realism…”
– Foreword Reviews
“At once absorbing, inspiring, and tragic.”
– Publishers Weekly
“Riveting…Holocaust libraries might find this book useful for its insights into the role of the Polish underground.”
– Association of Jewish Libraries Reviews
“Dramatic, heartrending…Highly recommended.”
– Cosmopolitan Review
“Unique and moving insights into World War II. A superb lesson of humanity and patriotism.”
– Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Lech Walesa
“An inspiring read. The Color of Courage is for everyone—but particularly for young people, as they are maturing and searching for meaning in life and for the strength to stand up for what is good and meaningful. Kulski reminds us that freedom and human dignity transcend race, religion and age, and that our vigilance can never be relaxed.”
– Rabbi Michael Schudrich, Chief Rabbi of Poland
“Kulski provides a remarkable account of sacrifice and personal courage. Compelling, readable, and very moving!”
– Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, Center for Strategic & International Studies
“An incredible book…compelling, forceful, educational and filled with events that are written so vividly…a book of extreme historical significance.”
– Book Diva
“Kulski’s memoir is particularly heart-wrenching and eye-opening. I highly recommend this book.”
– Back to Books
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