This is not a good book, in my opinion. I persevered with it because I was visiting Budapest for the first time and it provided some useful historical and cultural context/ background to Hungary and the Hungarian people. However I thought it was poorly written and seemed to lack any kind of coherent structure, argument or even any point at all. I am sure there are far better books out there on Hungary and Budapest but this was all I had to hand at the time.
I appreciate that this book will possible appeal mostly to those of us Hungarian and/or with Hungarian heritage. I was born in Budapest and the book resonates in every way possible. Nostalgia isn't a crime after all.