The Will to Survive: A History of Hungary

As for the review I divide the book in 2 parts. The 1st part of the book until 1914 is quite good and scholarly indeed. Notwithstanding that I found some minor problems and illogical statements: 1.) When he gave all the clues about why the Hungarians consider Saint Stephen as their greatest king, I did not understand his way of thinking (harsh, unjust criticism against Stephen). Apart from that he's right. The other great kings should be respected more. 2.)His criticism against Hunyadi is not logical either. a)He says Hunyadi was not a good regent. He had to fight against the Turks and the disloyal barons at the same time. It's quite obvious that under the nearly chaotic circumstances he did well. Though he needed to make some unfavourable compromise with the barons. b)He says Hunyadi was not a good military leader based on 2 battles. He admits that Hunyadi was badly outnumbered in foreign land once betrayed, once the king died (he did not listen to Hunyadi's advice) and his troops were therefore routed. Not Hunyadi's fault. Napoleon also lost some battles. c)He says Hunyadi's activity was more harmful, than useful. Hunyadi won 70-80 years more of independence for Hungary!!! 3.) No details on the campaigns of 1848-49. - I found very positive the following parts: cultural notes, history of the Jews. Avarege point for this part is 4.5 - The 2nd part:The Trianon part is good, though he does not mention that Linder (Karolyi's minister) dissolved the Hungarian Army. It's admitted now that military resistance could have lessened the territories taken from Hungary and the Romanian's looting. The white terror, Horthy's image and regency is not well researched (wrong numbers and strong leftist bias and many former communist lies; eg:white terror victims were between 600 and 1000 etc.). Some of the references in this part are from marxist-communist historians!!! Sakmyster's book (1 of the sources) has a lot of communist data in it, too. There are books without bias (still critical when needed) in Hungarian about this period, but unfortunately not translated into English. About 1956 he's right, but the people did not want (reform) communism. Kadar's main fault was that he killed patriotism in many people and that's why the society is still deeply divided, even today. Avarege point for this part: 3.5

An excellent example of how to write a history book. (1/1 people found this helpful)

This is one of the best non-fiction works I have come across in 50 years of reading. It is succinct, coherent and scholarly without ever being boring, and is more comprehensive and compelling than other accounts of Hungary's history. Even a reader starting towards the end of the book, say at 1914, would be amply rewarded and gain an understanding of the catstrophes endured by this small country, and how it has managed to survive before becoming once again a proud, independent nation.

The Will to Survive: A History of Hungary

Bryan Cartledge

Reader Reviews:

Nearly there (1/1 people found this helpful)

An excellent example of how to write a history book. (1/1 people found this helpful)

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