In The Name Of The Working Class

by Sándor Kopácsi, George Jonas (Foreword), Judith Kopácsi - Gelberger (Introduction)

In 1956, at the time of the Hungarian Revolution, Sándor Kopácsi was police chief in Budapest. He had fought in the anti-Nazi Resistance and welcomed the Soviet Army. Purges in during the early 1950s eventually led him to question Soviet motives. Reforms in the USSR following Stalin’s death in 1953 gave hope of change in Hungary as well. In 1956 he supported the liberal and nationalist trends represented by Imre Nagy, sympathized with popular demands, and was named deputy commander of the new national militia. He supported the uprising in an effort to reform the Communist system from within. Following its collapse, he and seven other leaders were tried and four were sentenced to death the others to long prison terms. Amnestied in 1963, Kopacsi emigrated to Canada in 1975, being the only one of the eight who managed to make his way to the West. This fascinating insider's account adds a new dimension to Hungary's history. This book is an expanded revised edtion containing hitherto unpublished material.

Genres: History, Hungary

542 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 1987

Reviews

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

L'ultimo capodanno prima del covid l'ho passato a Budapest. Città bellissima, ma non ho capito l'odio ungherese per il passato comunista, essendo passati ormai così tanti anni.
Dopo aver letto questo libro ho capito molto, molto di più.
Non so se Kopácsi sia un narratore naturale o abbia avuto l'aiuto di qualche ghost writer, ma la storia è appassionante. Sua moglie, Ibolya, è una spalla eccellente, l'eroina femminile in un mondo di uomini.
Il libro racconta dell'ascesa del figlio di un operaio che si unì alla resistenza contro l'occupazione nazista, entrò poi nel partito comunista ungherese e, dopo una breve carriera in polizia, diventò questore di Budapest. Tutto va bene finché i sovietici non decidono il contrario: invadono la nazione, dichiarano gli ex-eroi traditori, uccidono e arrestano.
Kopácsi sopravvive ed esce di prigione grazie all'amnistia generale decretata da Nikita Chruščëv, ma viene ancora ostracizzato, tanto che alla fine preferisce emigrare in Canada, dove vive la figlia. Il suo libro-testimonianza è uno dei memoir più importanti sulla storia dell'Ungheria.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives a great insight into the Hungarian Revolution. It was a bit hard to follow but the first hand experience from the author made it very interesting despite the writing style.

[James Christensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

943.9052/KOP - well written and first-hand account of the Revolution of 1956 by the man who was Budapest's chief of police at the time - intelligent, relatively objective - a good read

Incredible revelation of the Soviet mentality. Sad, Sad, Sad.

[Marco Secchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book gives you a great insight into the Hungarian Revolution and the time around 1955. It is not easy to follow sometime but is a great reading!