A History of Hungary

by Laszlo Kontler

This volume provides an up-to-date and comprehensive survey of Hungarian history, from the pre-historic age to the present day. Kontler adeptly steers the reader through ancient times, the great migration of peoples, and the creation and troubles of a Christian monarchy that arose in the region wedged between the Germanic and Russian lands. The author also explores the factors involved in the centuries-long process which has put Hungary at a disadvantage in coping with the challenges of modernity, including the country's economic backwardness, the social structure, revolutions, wars of independence, and territorial losses. A brief epilogue looks at Hungary's present process of transition to democracy.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Hungary, European History, Hungarian Literature

559 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Dimitri]

the only history of Hungary you need to read. If you haven't visited Hungary, this book will make you want to. Highly recommended.

It's comprehensive [up to the millenium], anchoring Hungary firmly within the familiar narrative of grand European history. Rather than swamped between Turks and Soviets on a distant periphery, Hungary was the throne of choice for a French prince & a memorable field of victory for Prince Eugène de Savoie once it entered the Habsburg sphere.

Péter Hanàk was Kontler's mentor and has trained him up to the rigorous standards of Hungarian historiography , albeit often subjugated to the political climate*. For all its academic maturity, it still shows youthful passion for a proud country.

*See the communist undertones One Thousand Years: A Concise History Of Hungary by Kalman Benda (1988)

[Gordan Karlic]

If you are interested in the history of Hungary take this book, you will get a really good recap that spans more than a thousand years.
It isn't only politics and war, you will learn about culture, economics, and the way of life Hungarians thought of more than one millennia.
You will see how mighty the kingdom was ravaged again and again and again, but still tries to rise so it could play a major part in European affairs.
A really good book and I would recommend it to all that want to learn about the proud history of Magyars.

[Doria]

Exhaustive and somewhat stultifying read, where the high-handed tone impeded absorption of the dense thicket of information on offer. Useful for a closer understanding of more recent Hungarian history, but the effort required to read between the over-written lines makes it almost not worthwhile.

[Peter]

A good history - of a Twentieth Century tragedy. A very strong sense of the Hungarian experience conveyed. It needs better maps, though!

[John Newton]

It was what I wanted: An overview of Hungary that gives a good bird's-eye perspective without getting too mired in details. I don't think it's the fault of Kontler, but I found the earliest chapters the most effort. My assumption, however, is that's likely due to my own lack of knowledge about their context. The names of the medieval kings of Hungary are almost all new to me, and so the details of which dynasty took over from which are difficult to follow. By the 18th century, when the story of Hungary is playing out in the more familiar context of the Dual Monarchy and the debates around Hungarian nationalism follow, more or less, the same pattern as other nationalisms or, in the second half of the 20th century, when Hungary's history plays out within the larger context of the Soviet block, Kontler's history was easier for me to follow.

The edition of the book that I read had many stupid typos and errors. Most of the time it is possible to deduce the intended meaning, though sometimes I was left confused. I don't blame Kontler but the publisher, Palgrave Macmillan, for that unfortunate sloppiness.

[Erica]

Definitely concur with the review saying it needs better maps. Not sure that I'm catching all the innuendos as it's such a tumultuous history, but if I can pick up 50% of it I'll be happy. Lots of Hungarian pride mixed in with honest assessments of both victories and failures in here.

[Jenna]

This is a good one-stop history, though it's a lot to absorb with lots of unfamiliar names and places.

[Diane]

For reference. Not the best Hungarian history in the pile.