The Extraordinary Life of Helena Sztukowska: An Autobiography

The memoirs of Helena Sztukowska written by herself take the reader back to the tumultuous events of the 20th Century and in particular to the desperate challenges faced by the Polish people. Born into a noble family in Vilnius in 1901 Helena took authorship of her own story from an early age.From her active involvement in supporting women prisoners and hiding Jewish people during World War II to her work as a defence lawyer for political prisoners in Stalinist Poland Helena's life was one of profound impact.

Throughout her life Helena faced adversity and danger. Blessed with a fierce determination from an early age she took herself to the front lines to work as a nurse in war hospitals seeing at first hand the death and destruction of war. Later she would lose her husband in the Katyn massacre and would herself be imprisoned three times.

Helena's story also spans her own personal passions - animals, the Arts and travel. She was an accomplished equestrian, a collector of antiques and even a pilot of small aircraft. Her memoirs make evident her humour, her passions, her resilience and courage. They give us a glimpse of another age but the abiding joy of reading them is to see them from the perspective of such a resilient and inspirational lady.