The article presents the issues related to the literary output of Marian Brandys, a well-known historical novel writer. Brandys began his literary career from writing newspaper reportages and novels in the so-called social realist style. This kind of writing did not bring him popularity, and his involvement, after 1955, in the processes of change of the socialist system led him to travel writings for the youth, which he treated as a way out of a difficult political situation. Brandys found his own tone and manner in historical biographical novels 'Klopoty z Pania Walewsk (Trouble with Mrs. Walewska), 'Kozietulski i inni' (Kozietulski and Others), 'Szwolezerowie' (Cavaliers), which won him great popularity and respect of readers. The reconstruction of the history of the 19th century allowed Brandys to settle accounts with the historical period of Poland after 1939.