Ferdynand Antoni Ossendowski was a Polish writer, journalist, traveler, globetrotter, explorer, anti-communist, university professor, a member of the French Academy, political activist. After World War II all his books were covered by the censors in Poland because of his anti-communist beliefs. Only since 1989, his work can be officially published in Poland again. He is best known for his books: Beasts, Men and Gods – 1922 (org. title: Przez kraj ludzi, zwierząt i bogów. Konno przez Azję Centralną) The Shadow of the Gloomy East: A Moral History of the Russian People – 1923 (org. title: Cień ponurego Wschodu. Za kulisami życia rosyjskiego) Lenin: God of the Godless – 1930 (org. title: Lenin)