За вольную і сувэрэнную Беларусь

The book features memoirs of Dzmitry Kasmovich, Yakub Kolas’ relative, the founder of a Law and Order Service squad during the Nazi occupation, a fighter against the Soviets and the head of the Belarusian Liberation Front. The author’s recollections focus on a period from the 1920th to the 1940th. He describes life in the Nyasvizh area under the Polish rule, the territory’s takeover by the Soviets and the plight of Belarusians during the Nazi occupation. The book is notable for its lively and juicy language. It is easy to read. The poetical description of the native land is especially touching, exposing the author’s longing for the homeland. The memoirs were written in 1985, but the most detailed account focuses on the author’s life before 1945. Naturally, someone may question his views, but one needs to read the book to understand what the Belarusians went through in the 20th century. (Z.K.)