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STRAWS IN THE WIND

by Eugene Krajewski

The Betrayal of Poland And One Family’s Incredible Journey

Straws in the Wind book cover

The Book

Straws in the Wind is the story of an ordinary Polish family swept into the upheavals of the 20th century.

Haunted by the mystery of his father’s disappearance in WWII, Eugene returns to his Polish homeland in search of answers. What he finds shatters the family’s long-held beliefs – and reveals how Soviet authorities nearly erased them from history.

Straws in the Wind is more than a memoir of survival. It’s a journey across continents and decades, through hardship, loss, and the quiet heroism of everyday life. Told with wit, warmth, and unwavering hope, it’s a testament to resilience—and a reminder that even in history’s darkest storms, the human spirit refuses to break.

Straws in the Wind book cover

The Author

Eugeniusz Krajewski (or Eugene as he is known in the UK) was born in Poland but has by now spent most of his life in England. Eugene has constantly been asked throughout his life, how someone with the surname of Krajewski ended up living in the UK. Upon telling them a shortened version of his life history, the staggered response would often be, “Wow! You should write a book!”.

Having no previous experience as an author, and ironically whilst working abroad as an engineer in Russia at the time, he would begin to document his trip back to the place of his birth in 1998, and the journey his family undertook from their deportation by the Soviet authorities to the frozen north of Russia in 1940 through to becoming a British Citizen. His daughter Julia helped to edit the book, which is now self published on Amazon and available worldwide. It can also now be found in the Museum of Siberian Deportees (Muzeum Pamięci Sybiru) in Białystok, Poland – close to the author’s birthplace.
Colour headshot of author Eugeniusz Krajewski

The JOURNEY

Poland to Siberia map

Poland to Siberia

“We were taken from our home in Poland and transported to a labour camp in the Russian frozen north…”

Siberia to Khazakstan map

Siberia to Khazakstan

SIBERIA to Khazakstan

 “After the amnesty, we drifted south to Khazakstan…”

 “After the amnesty, we drifted south to Khazakstan…”

Siberia to Khazakstan map
Khazakstan to India map

Khazakstan to India

“Having escaped the hell of the Soviet Union we travelled through land and sea until we reached the camp of Valivade…”

India to England map

India to England

India to England

 “Our final journey took us to Bombay and then by sea all the way to England…”

 “Our final journey took us to Bombay and then by sea all the way to England…”

India to England map

CONTACT

Eugene is available for talks about his story and book signings. If you would like to contact the author please do so using the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

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STRAWS IN THE WIND

by Eugene Krajewski

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