The history of Lodz from a transnational perspective – comments on the margins of Hans-Jürgen Bömelburg’s monography, History of a Multicultural Industrial City in the 20th Century, University of Lodz Press, Lodz 2024, pp. 581

Abstract

The article contains a number of reflections made after reading the monograph by Prof. Hans-Jürgen Bömelburg, a German historian who has been researching topics related to the history of Central and Eastern Europe for many years, including the history of Lodz in the 20th century. The book is important because an outside observer can see more, place the subject of research in a broader context, and is less dependent on environmental arrangements. They are more willing to tackle issues that have been pushed aside by local researchers, problems that have not yet been addressed in academic discourse, and they place emphasis in different places, etc. The German historian has consistently applied a research model and categories that are underrepresented in Polish historiography. Potential readers can expect an in-depth, original approach to the subject, bringing new findings. The monograph perfectly complements the current state of research on the history of 20th century Lodz.