Norman Davies intended to study for a PhD in the Soviet Union but, denied an entry visa he went to Jagiellonian University in Krakow instead and became the preeminent historian of Polish history. His books include his doctoral dissertation, White Eagle, Red Star: the Polish-Soviet War 1919-1920; God’s Playground, A History of Poland: In Two Volumes; Heart of Europe: A Short History of Poland; Rising 44: The Battle for Warsaw; Europe East and West: A Collection of Essays on European History; Europe at War 1939-1945: No Simple Victory; Europe: A History and The Isles: A History.