This is the wikipedia page on the Elric series.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elric

It seems there are some similarities between Elric and Geralt (mostly appearance from what I can tell reading the wiki). The biggest thing that I can see just scanning stuff is that Elric is apparently also known as "The White Wolf", which of course people call Geralt all the time.

Edit: On The Witcher wikipedia page this is in there:
"Physical similarities between the main hero Geralt of Rivia and Elric of Melnibone have been noted. Both also are called The White Wolf. Michael Moorcock, the creater of Elric of Melnibone, has spoken of Geralt being a "passing off" situation on his website.[2] Andrzej Sapkowski has never made any reference to Moorcock's novels in relation to his work."

It's a controversy over the protagonist in each series, namely Geralt of Rivia and Elric of Melnibone'. Both are more than strikingly similar: both are albino, used drugs to supplement their physical/magical strength, were sorcerer/swordsmen, and, most damning, Elric was known as the White Wolf when the series was published back in the last sixties/seventies.

From what I've read of Sapkowski's works, though, to his credit, the stories and settings are completely different, although both were/are considered antiheroes. It might be that his series has had limited exposure outside of it's native Poland, or that M. Moorcock has little interest in pursuing a lawsuit (he's called the Witcher a "passing off" of his character, but that's about it).
I was aware they were published in "other languages" and suspected english was one of them. I'd like to read the novels, certainly.

LOL the thread title is misleading. I very much doubt that Obama would actually play it.

Yea, I know, that's the point : D

I know.. still it makes a funny thread title. Still it would be stored and passed down through the generations.. it might be worth a fortune one day.
Why is that the Polish president decided to give Obama this specific gift? lol

Great! Maybe we'll get the others translated into English now. Be a little messed up to get Obama hooked on The Witcher, then leave him hanging after only Blood of Elves.

Not the president but the prime minister. I think it was just to show his "easygoing" side and promote Polish modern culture in some different way. Which is good.

Besides the Witcher Obama also got iPads with Tomasz Baginski's movies. He owns an animation studio right now, he produced the intro to the Witcher 1. You should check his other work out, it's pretty neat actually:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpR_Ckg3q6s - 600th anniversary of the battle of Grunwald

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DrXgj1NwN8 - animated history of Poland - over 1000 years in 8 minutes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_AbM1zMgo4 - The Cathedral

Whereas Presidents of days gone by would take a day of fishing, golfing etc, or spend time at a retreat, modern day President's will play video games? I think not. That would be very embarrassing for his reputation, considering video games do not exactly contribute to a healthy lifestyle. It's a hobby yes, but as you and I know, playing 2 hour or 4+ hour sessions in front of a monitor is not exactly the ideal candidate for a health advertisement ;)

evmiller was referring to reading the books, Mike xD

Man, the Polski are really proud of Witcher, it's like a national treasure.

Go Poland! I got a soft spot for Polski people since John Paul.

I remember reading about this when Witcher 1 came out. I remember the conclusion was that it was a false statement. I did some research on my own and couldn't tell.
That's what I meant ;)

Yes, it's from this trustworthy source: http://www.theonion.com/articles/obama-depressed-distant-since-battlestar-galactica,2693/

;)

Gifts of food and drink are indeed supposed to be destroyed immediately by the Secret Service.

The President is allowed to retain gifts of nominal value (last I heard, it was $180), but must turn over anything of greater value. Somehow I don't see the Obamas as likely Witcher fans.