The Polish countryside holds many enchanting surprises, as estates and medieval castles are nestled in picturesque valleys and alongside lengthy rivers. Pratt tells the fascinating histories of these houses and the nobles who built and continually remodeled them. For example, the Radziwi family created a rustic paradise in the chateau Nieborow. Arkadia, the garden of this house, serves as a tribute to ancient Greece and testifies to the taste and genius of one of Poland's most culturally and politically influential dynasties. Insightful and comprehensive, this book is a must-have for anyone interested in Poland's tangled history and beautiful architecture.