Wojciech Maria Zalewski Life through good-byes. Musings of a former priest. 1937-2013

The author of this autobiography narrates his life molded by the forces and institutions of 20th century Europe: the German occupation of Poland and daily life in a small city in Soviet occupied Poland. He discusses his priesthood and his studies at the Catholic University in Lublin and at the Pontifical Biblical Institute and the Pontifical University Gregorianum in Rome where he received his doctorate in theology. He reflects upon his decision to leave the priesthood and immigrate to America. He narrates his process of integration into American life, his family and his work as a Curator for Russian and East European Collections at Stanford University Libraries, in California with publishers, booksellers and libraries in the Soviet Union and East and West European countries from 1971 until 1999 and thereafter as a Bibliographer for Religious Studies until his retirement in 2013. He also outlines his professional contributions.