This work investigates the origins, development, and political implications of the Solidarity movement in Poland during the summer of 1980. Neil Ascherson, a veteran journalist with extensive experience covering Eastern European affairs, utilizes his on-the-ground observations and historical analysis to explain how a labor strike transformed into a national movement that challenged the foundations of the Soviet-backed communist state. He argues that the movement was uniquely self-limiting, seeking to reform the system from within rather than attempting an immediate, violent overthrow of the government.

Historians and political analysts frequently cite this text as a primary source for understanding the internal mechanics of the Solidarity movement. Readers often note the clarity of the prose, which balances journalistic immediacy with rigorous historical context.