Mirek - its a pity I havent read that book. I will look on.
P.S. (Offtopic): 4th November is not "funny" anniversary for russians - we celebrate not 1794 but 1612:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unity_Day_(Russia)
It was a state holiday from 1649 to 1917, and from 2005 till now.
If there were no such men like Minin and Pozharsky in 1612, probably Polish Empire would had eastern shore with Pacific Ocean at this time.