Short answers, pulled from the story.
Hippocrene Books specializes in foreign language study guides, international cookbooks, and Polish-interest publishing. Its foreign-language catalog covers more than 112 languages and includes dictionary series, phrasebooks, and beginner textbooks.
Hippocrene Books was founded by George Blagowidow, a Polish immigrant born to Russian parents who survived the Nazi occupation before settling in New York City. He established the precursor company Optimum Book Marketing in 1970 and published Hippocrene's first list in spring 1972.
Hippocrene Books is located at 171 Madison Avenue, New York City, NY 10016.
Hippocrene's debut list in spring 1972 included The Doll by Polish novelist Boleslaw Prus, alongside other European literary classics in translation.
Hippocrene's cookbook line grew out of its Polish-interest publishing. The 1983 release of Best of Polish Cooking by Karen West proved highly successful and led to additional Polish cookbooks and then a broader international cookbook line that has reached more than 80 titles.
The name Hippocrene comes from the mythical Hippocrene fountain associated with the Muses in ancient legend. The fountain appears in the company's logo.