Val Karnowski, Boy Revolutionary

by Gerald R. Schmidt

Set against the backdrop of a Poland struggling under Prussian oppression, Val Karnowski, Boy Revolutionary is a sweeping historical diary that chronicles the life of a gifted orphan amid the turbulent events of 1848. Told in vivid detail through daily entries, this deeply Catholic and emotionally charged novel explores the spiritual, cultural, and political forces shaping a nation—and a boy—on the brink of transformation.

Born with a genius-level intellect, young Val Karnowski is thrust into a world of sorrow, resistance, and unexpected kinship after a tragic childhood at the Rogóźno Zamek palace. As plague, betrayal, and political upheaval swirl around him, Val finds solace and guidance in the Church, in the memory of his mother, and in the unlikely friendships that shape his worldview.

Woven into the narrative are authentic newspaper clippings, Polish folk customs, and historical commentary. Real figures—like Bismarck, Marx, and Mierosławski—intersect with fictional lives, culminating in the revolutions of 1848. As Europe erupts in calls for freedom, young Val witnesses history in the making, from the barricades of Paris to the bloodied streets of Berlin.

A powerful meditation on faith, patriotism, and perseverance, this novel is also a poignant reminder of Poland's indomitable spirit—and the courage of even its smallest sons.

Download a read, and learn about a little-known part of history, while being entertained.