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Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding Scholarly & Historical Book
Review: I was enormously pleased to discover this recently written Hungarian history book (published in 2002). I have searched for a comprehensive "English" Hungarian history book for over 20 years and FOUND IT AT LAST!!! While it is not *easy* reading, neither did I expect it to be. This is not fiction, it is a description of accurate, hard facts, "real life". One can not expect an author to make it "entertaining". Much of Hungarian history is filled with trials/tribulations, often caused by neighboring countries or the West who made treaties/alliances that worked against Hungarian autonomy. Hungary is situated in the center of Europe - hence the crossroads to the West, the Balkans, and Asia. The physical location of Hungary has created most of it's past political/historical problems and wars ...Chapter I: "The Land, The People, The Migrations" is one of my favorites. Laszlo Kontler manages to create enticing, intriguing titles to each chapter, that makes one want to continue reading more. Although, it is often dry reading, one can easily stop & later take up any section. One can open any section for a good overview of important names, dates, and places in Hungarian history. Chapter II: "The Making of a Medieval Monarchy (895 - 1301)" is a great description of how Hungary's House of Arpad became a Catholic nation during feudalistic times. Kontler gives us a wonderful understanding of "The Golden Bull" and the rights/privileges and responsibilites of the nobility, landowners and peasants. He does a phenomenol job of revealing why Matthias Corvinus is a highly revered Monarch even today. Hungary's "deviation" from the West and Western thinking is given a thorough analysis. The section on the Turkish wars and occupation is well written. Hungary's quest for expansion, even into Croatia and Serbia, & with some success almost as far as Naples, Italy is very fascinating. Chapter V is another absolutely thorough one which covers, the Enlightenment, Reforms, and the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. The quest to become a modern nation, despite Hungary's challenges, such as connection to the Austrian Empire is comprehensive and thoroughly covered. World Wars I and II are documented with precision and accuracy. The Chapter, "In Search of an Identity (1918 - 1945) is particularly well-written and an eye-opener. Chapter VII sums up the recent era, 1945 - 1989 with erudite accuracy. A book of this magnitude and scope is difficult to write, I have great admiration for Laszlo Kontler 1)for his great breadth and depth of knowledge and 2) for his writing style which is flowing and precise. Mr Kontler does not interpret events for us, he gives us the facts and lets us examine our own feelings, thoughts or beliefs about the events as they unfold. He does not do modern day 'reporting', i.e., trying to sway the reader toward any political outcome or viewpoint. For this I give him the highest marks. This book is highly recommended for anyone of Hungarian origin or ancestry who wants to understand more about their roots or culture. Anyone else who has a keen interest in the origins of the Hungarian nation will also like this book, provided they are interested in "facts" rather than a "story". Erika Borsos (erikab93)
Rating: 
Summary: GOOD HISTORY, DRY READING
Review: This is one of the most dry books that I have read in a long time ---and do not underestimate my ability to put up with boring prose -- I can go against the best of them. Having said that I would not want to discourage people from reading this book. It is an academic history and tries to cut some new ground throughout. Of particular note in the introduction is the shifting nature of what really constitutes Hungary since its "essnece" unlike Britain, for example, seems to change over time and be both geographical and historically dependent. From fierce Magyar horsemen, to guardians of the cross against the muslim infidel to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the present day Hungary divorced from its "traditional heartland of Transylvania," Hungary had always had a shifting disposition. I did not the particular glossing over of the medieval period as I bought the book to learn more about this time. The author is really much better in his overview of more recent times and always keeps an cold analytical ear to the ground and informs you about the details of historical constants. As the ultimate historical reference work on Hungary, this book will adorn my shelf, but if one is looking for a more flowing and exciting narrative, one would be better off with reading Paul Lendvai, "Hungary -- A 1000 Yrs of Victory in Defeat."
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