The Hrodna-based historian's monograph focuses on Polish ethnic minorities in Belarus and Lithuania. This is not Smalyanchuk's first study of Polish movements on the above-mentioned territories. Some of his findings trigger discussions and debate, especially works concerning Krajovasc, a social and political group that pressed for forming a political nation of the entire population of the Belarusian-Lithuanian territory or "kraj," and its influences on the Polish movement. Despite the controversial subject and approaches, Smalyanchuk analyzes in detail conditions that led to the emergence of the Polish nationalist movement and Russian Empress Catherine II's policies with regard to ethnic minorities. It should be noted that many nations shaped in that particular period. The historian analyses conditions that spurred ethnogenesis. Using cause-and-effect analysis he describes distinctive features of the modern nation. The author conducted a comparative study of Belarusian, Polish and Lithuanian nationalist movements, their influences on each other and mutual support. Smalyanchuk offers a comprehensive analysis of distinctions of Polish nationalist groups in Belarus and Lithuania.