The book's title, "Czerwone Maki", is also the name of one of the most famous Polish songs to emerge from World War II.

[1] The Polish Second Corps, led by General Władysław Anders, stormed the strategic Abbey on Monte Cassino.

On the eve of this decisive battle, Konarski wrote the book's title work, "The Red Poppies on Monte Cassino".

[2] Konarski's works in this book are arranged as a chronicle of the tragic fate and the combat roles taken by the Polish Second Corps.

[1] The book's cover shows the image of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa, a holy icon of the Virgin Mary, that is both Poland's holiest relic and one of the country's national symbols, looking over the remaining ruins of the famous Abbey of Monte Cassino after the battle.