Most ke svobodě - Krvavé události revolučního roku 1956 v Maďarsku

by James A. Michener

Pravdivý příběh těch, kteří bojovali proti komunismu.
Most u Andau, na hranici mezi Maďarskem a Rakouskem, byl jedním z nejbezvýznamnějších mostů v Evropě. To se však změnilo po krvavé porážce maďarského povstání roku 1956, kdy ulice Budapešti zaplavily ruské tanky a řada významných osobností i obyčejných obyvatel země právě přes tento most prchala do exilu a do bezpečí před komunistickou zvůlí. Známý autor James A. Michener se ve své knize, která se ve Spojených státech dočkala řady dotisků, nezaměřil na suchý výčet historických fakt. Jednotlivé kapitoly jsou zasvěceny osudům konkrétních lidí, obyčejných Maďarů, jejichž očima nám umožňuje sledovat zásadní události těch několika málo dní slavných, i když k nezdaru odsouzených bojů.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Hungary, Politics, War, Historical, Classics

228 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1957

About the author

James Albert Michener is best known for his sweeping multi-generation historical fiction sagas, usually focusing on and titled after a particular geographical region. His first novel, Tales of the South Pacific , which inspired the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific, won the 1948 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

Toward the end of his life, he created the Journey Prize, awarded annually for the year's best short story published by an emerging Canadian writer; founded an MFA program now, named the Michener Center for Writers, at the University of Texas at Austin; and made substantial contributions to the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, best known for its permanent collection of Pennsylvania Impressionist paintings and a room containing Michener's own typewriter, books, and various memorabilia.

Michener's entry in Who's Who in America says he was born on Feb. 3, 1907. But he said in his 1992 memoirs that the circumstances of his birth remained cloudy and he did not know just when he was born or who his parents were.

Reviews

[Kathrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michener states at some point in this book, and I am paraphrasing, that the atrocities suffered by a nation are too much for one reader to digest, but the trials of one person are enough to break your heart and build true understanding. That explains why Michener, a historian of enormous breadth and critical understanding, chose storytelling, and much of his backlist is historical fiction, telling the stories of history through the people who lived it. The Bridge of Andau is not a novel; Michener was present at the Austrian border to greet and assist Hungarian refugees of communism in 1956. The flight occurred in November of 1956 and this book was first published in March of 1957. The book reads almost as an extended news report, but with the natural novelistic flow of Michener's best epics. He does a tidy job of explaining Hungary's recent history of political subjugation, its long history of tensions with every one of its neighbors, all framing the current crisis (as of his writing) of the people's revolution over communism, told from the varied perspectives of Hungary's industrial workers, intellectuals, KVO members, and children. The Michener of 1957 doesn't know that the Soviet presence is not removed until as recently as 1991, although his plea for Hungarian sovereignty does help to stir the pot, so that even today the government leans toward a socialist-liberal agenda with democratically elected leaders and membership in the EU. Reading this book really helped me put a chronological order to the long list of -isms that have plagued so many nations of Eastern Europe. It also illustrated some extremely powerful and disturbing images of exploited power and war.

[Susanna Chin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being of Hungarian descent and having both parents escape from Communist Hungary after actively partaking in the 1956 Revolution, I was very interested to read this book. I found it accurately supporting much of what my parents have described to me about the events in Hungary in 1956. I applaud Mr Michener in undertaking such a daunting task of recounting a part of history that unfortunately many people never even knew occurred.

[Julie Daines · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't normally read non-fiction, and especially I avoid war non-fiction. But this book was so interesting and sad. The Hungarians fight for freedom from communist Russia is heartbreaking. I can't even comprehend the cruelties inflicted by one human on another. But this is an interesting look into the Hungarian's strength of spirit. I'm glad I read it.

[John Devlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.0) heartfelt and personal…JM making the passionate case that communism doesn’t work…of course in 1957 this seemed far less certain.

Interesting for the on the ground details of the Hungarian Revolution but even more so the tortures everyday Hungarians suffered at the hands of the AVO.

The mundane tyranny of the police state is revealed:everyone’s an informer, the school indoctrination, the fear that one’s own children could reveal sedition bc they were mad at a parent for discipline…

Eastern Europe would remain under Soviet rule for another 34 years and yet america never interceded…juxtapose this hands off policy with the US intervention in Ukraine..

The men who shepherded america through WW2 had the wisdom to understand the limits of American power and to accurately gauge the devastation brought by a potential nuclear conflict…even when in ‘56 the Soviets had a minuscule atomic arsenal…

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Michener was right there at the Bridge at Andau, watching and helping some of the 200,000 Hungarian refugees that fled to safety into Austria in the weeks following the five-day Revolution in 1956. The book was published just months later, and Michener goes to great pains to detail his reporting practices and dedication to truth, knowing full well that the incredible stories he recounts are beyond belief. He also understands that, in 1957, much of the world is still on the fence about the merits of Communism and whether Russia is as evil as the Americans say. For this reason, the Bridge at Andau serves as an excellent historical account of the Russian occupation of Hungary and mid-century American attitudes toward Communism and immigration. Michener is clearly worried about the spread of Communism, a fear that means next to nothing in 2018. So the book has a dated quality but it's one that serves the subject well, as it's a very honest account and analysis of Communism as it was in the 1950s.

It's also a serious love letter to Hungary and the Hungarians. About two-thirds in, Michener admits he is decidedly pro-Hungary, a crush that began when he boned up on Hungarian history in an effort to play devil's advocate to his Transylvanian roommate's frequent rants against his former oppressors. That and Michener's experience in WWII and reporting on the Korean War and other Communist-riddled areas make him a biased-but-sincere narrator of the Revolution. The author is clearly fond of the Hungarian people, and occasionally lays on the praise a bit thick, gushing about the strength and character of these "remarkably attractive people. Small, wiry, quick to anger, they have finely chiseled faces and bodies admirably adapted to games." Yet the thing is, I agree with him! I also recently fell in love with Hungary, first through studying it and then living there for three months. And, yes, Hungarians are hotties, at least the ones I met in Budapest were. But as a historian, Michener might have toned it down a notch for the sake of accuracy.

I also cringed at how he rated the "three waves of refugees," deeming the Second Wave—the only one he actually witnessed—as the one most worthy of emigration, because this group, he believes, held the most brave revolutionaries. (The first wave, he says, was prostitutes, ne'er-de-wells, and cowards, and terrible ambassadors of Hungary. The third wave, a full 175,000 of the 200,000, were, he says, not brave enough to fight in the revolution and jumped ship when the going got worse, thus did not earn the right to flee and are not befitting of hero refugee status.) Yuck. I finished this book the same day President Trump called Africa and Haiti "shitholes" and, indeed, Michener recounts likeminded racist words from mid-century American politicians who also didn't want dirty refugees from the shithole situation that was Hungary. (The United States was initially reluctant to accept Hungarians and greeted the first few arrivals very poorly. By September of 1957 we had accepted 35,0000 Hungarian refugees.)

Michener does an awful lot of speculating about the future for Hungary and Hungarians, both in governing and social roles. This was likely a useful viewpoint in 1957, but today it feels quaint and much of his fears never came to pass. Yet, his observations are a useful study of American, or perhaps Western, opinion of refugees and Communism, and an exciting account of the Hungarian Revolution. I'm glad the author was alive in 1989 to see Hungary freed from Communism.

[Checkman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Knowing that this was a product of the Cold War era I still had high hopes for this book, but the propaganda weighed it down.I didn't expect Michener to get all the facts since he wrote it shortly after Hungary was invaded in 1956, but I like primary sources. They often provide an immediacy that is lacking in later publications. Sadly this one was too immediate. It was nothing more than a piece of Agitprop ,which is odd, when one considers that Agitprop is credited to the Soviet Union and Communism. Anyway the book is overheated and strikes me as something that one would have found in an issue of Life or Esquires back in the 1950's. So ,while of mild historical curiosity, it isn't that great of a read. I won't be keeping this one.

[Arthur · Rating 4 out of 5]

A ten hour unabridged audiobook.

A very good overview of the Communist school system, and a world of informers which led to brutal repression of anyone who wasn't deemed to be loyal enough to the party. Those who fought back, both in the streets, and at home (giving their children real Hungarian history as opposed to the state approved versions they got at school) are real heroes of this movement and I'm glad their story was so well told. I really liked this book.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michener is an amazing writer. I’ve only read two of his books, but anticipate reading more. A friend described his writing as historical fact with a veneer of narrative to keep the story flowing and the events connected. His book Texas was a 1200-page history of the state beginning with conquistadors searching for El Dorado to the Dallas Cowboys. He’s written books about Alaska, South Africa under apartheid, and Jerusalem. The Bridge at Andau is about the Hungarian uprising against their Soviet oppressors in October, 1956.

I lived in Hungary for two years as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spending about 14 months in various parts of Budapest. This was in 1993-1994, about three years after the fall of the Iron Curtain. I know the stories of the 1956 revolution, I’ve been to many of the historic sites, know many of their treasured national poems, and have seen the bullet holes still visible in the walls of the old radio building on the castle’s hill. But I’ve never heard these stories told as well as Michener tells them. And I’m a little embarrassed it’s taken me this long to get around to reading his book.

I expected this to be historical fiction like Michener’s Texas. But as compelling as it is, it’s less a novel and more a report and witness of the bravery of the Hungarians, the fallacy of communism, and the horrors of life in a police state. Hungary is obviously very important to me. But I’d recommend this book to anyone fascinated with the small hinges of history, and the concept of liberty. It’s a damning testimony of communism and a stirring anthem of Hungarian patriotism and resolve.

The chapter dealing with the AVO (aka Hungary’s secret police) contained several stories I hadn’t heard, and probably couldn’t have imagined. Communism relies on fear to keep the system in place, and sadists are especially good at instilling fear. The methods and practices of the AVO were inhumane to the point of disbelief. But Michener’s accounts are corroborated many times over.

[Barbara King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book that was written from testimony of those Hungarians who actually participated in the 1956 revolution attempt against the Soviet Union. Michener happened to be at the bridge at Andau when many of the refugees were crossing over and had an opportunity to get their stories firsthand. This book is a testament to the spirit and courage of the Hungarian people. It chronicles the events of the revolution in graphic detail, demonstrating the length people will go to to be free. Young people, even girls, fought for the cause—not with guns but with makeshift weapons that had some success despite their simplicity. This book not only shines a light on the Hungarian spirit but also exposes what life was like under Soviet domination. The big question that resonates through the story is why didn’t the United Nations or the United States come to the Hungarians’ aid? Instead, the Hungarians had to wait thirty years--until 1986--for their independence.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone who attends a state sponsored school. Michener meticulously documents the actions of the communist that ruthlessly ruled Hungary. The Hegelian Dialectic, which forms the basis of communism is exposed for the evil it is. All this aside, that which most impresses me is despite the hopelessness of the peoples situation, they still had a proud and moral compass which helped them combat the indoctrination of their youth each day.

Are we so vigilant in ensuring that our children are learning truth over propaganda? As an optimist, I hope so, but it is difficult to see when all around us we are distracted, like the slaves in Rome with entertainment.

Every parent should read this book and consider their role in the education of their children or to our nations peril we will fall as all other great societies have fallen, from corruption from within.

[Frank Reiter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading th\is book because my father was involved in these events. It was quite an emotional experience reading the details of what happened and wondering all the way through "Was he one of those?" or "Did he see that?"

Ultimately I could not finish this book. I found the detailed descriptions of how the Hungarians were tortured by the Russians so disturbing that it haunted me even when I was not reading about it. I ultimately decided that it was better for me not to continue.

The book is well written. If you are interested in the events of this time, I recommend it.

[T.W. Dittmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Michener interviewed Hungarian refugees during the writing and based the characters of the story on these interviews. I found the book so disturbing that I had to move on to some lighter reading when I finished it.

[Mallory Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Michener book. I'm incredibly impressed by how accurate it is, give that he published it in 1957 - one year after the events took place!

He does a great job, as always, of relating 'history' by focusing on a core group of 'characters' and bringing them to life. I visited Budapest a few years ago and learned of the 1956 revolution but didn't fully grasp the extent of the Hungarian people's bravery and the Soviets' atrocities until reading this book.

[Pili · Rating 5 out of 5]

Otra compra magnífica de mi viaje a Budapest, y nuevamente gracias a la recomendación de un acertado librero. Un testimonio extraordinario y verídico de la valentía del pueblo Húngaro. Lo recomiendo ampliamente.

[Alan Addison · Rating 1 out of 5]

In 1913 the Austro-HUNGARIAN Empire was one of Europe's great powers, ruling a vast swathe of conquered territory across Eastern Europe. The decision to annex Bosnia in 1908 and then use the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand as a pretext for declaring war on Serbia (in an attempt to consolidate the hold on Bosnia) led to WWI and the deaths of millions of people. In the post-war political turmoil, Hungary shifted dramatically to the right and formed an alliance with Nazi Germany. In WWII Hungary declared war on several of its neighbouring countries, and hundreds of thousands of Hungarian soldiers took part in the invasion of the Soviet Union, an invasion in which 25-30 million Soviets died. During WWII about half a million Jews were sent from Hungary to Nazi death camps.
Michener either ignores all of this or touches on it briefly here and there without expanding. Instead he clumsily tries to paint a picture of a brave nation, a proud nation, a nation of heroes, who were oppressed for no reason whatsoever by a mixture of Soviet conscript soldiers and Nazi-collaborating homosexuals who only joined the secret police to take revenge on the boys at school who were better at sport than they were.
He then accuses the Soviets of creating clumsy propaganda, without realising that this is exactly what this book is. It would be interesting to put this next to a similar book written by someone who fled the CIA sponsored coup in (insert name of one of dozens of countries here), if only to see if that writer did as poor a job as Michener did.
I would not advise against reading this book, it does have value when placed in context, but viewed in isolation, it’s appalling.

[Gramarye · Rating 2 out of 5]

An unashamedly biased presentation of the 1956 Hungarian uprising and the stories brought by the waves of refugees that fled Hungary for safety and freedom in the West. I would probably have given this book a higher rating if Michener hadn't chosen to display some depressingly era-appropriate but no less disturbing homophobia in his composite picture of the 'bad guy' of this book: a typical member of the AVO (Hungarian secret police). I suppose he wanted to add extra moral weight to his image of the AVO as an evil, twisted, and degenerate organisation, but from a more modern perspective it reads like an especially ham-fisted condemnation of 'deviated preverts', who appear to be the only people who flourish under communism.

I certainly don't discount the evils carried out by the communist system, and have no reason to suggest that the sufferings of the Hungarian people under that system should be in any way downplayed. Yet Michener's account of events veers into outright sensationalism and, dare I say, agitprop in its most negative form, and should be read alongside an account of the uprising that is more deserving of the name 'nonfiction'.

[Anirudh Sharma C A · Rating 4 out of 5]

A prelude to the imminent Soviet dissolution predicted way back in 1956! You’d appreciate the tenacity of young Hungarians and their fight against the communist Soviet Russia. Really loved how Michener spent time in Austria during these times of distress and documented it well.

Although, I had expected an unbiased opinion, I felt the author’s hatred towards communism got the better of him and it was quite visible with the vilification of communism in every chapter which made it a bit redundant. Overall a very good read to learn about Hungary, Austria, Budapest and the start of fall of communism in Eastern Europe!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories horrified, shamed, and drew me to such feelings of compassion and bravery that I would indeed say it was a very good book.

[W · Rating 1 out of 5]

A good deal of Cold War propaganda.Fairly boring,abandoned.

[Tina Curby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I moved to Hungary over 22 years ago, I wondered why Oct. 23 (commemorating the start of the 1956 Uprising) was a national holiday in Hungary; after a few brief days of 'freedom,' the Hungarians had been brutally crushed by Russia and then had lived under communism for several more years. When I first read this book over 20 years ago, it helped me to understand: it wasn't about winning or losing - it was about the amazing courage the Hungarian people had displayed.

Re-reading Michener's book all these years later, after living among Hungarians, I appreciated it even more. The courage and determination of the people cannot be overstated. During my first reading, I actually thought Michener might have gone a bit overboard in his warnings against the dangers of communism. This time I found myself completely agreeing with his perspective.

Some of the scenes of torture were so gruesome I had to skim ahead, but the writing is beautifully descriptive and well-researched. I've been to the bridge at Andau - or the site where it used to stand. (There was no bridge when we went 15 years ago, but one has been reconstructed since then.) And the patriotic nine-year-old boy in the closing chapters who emigrated with his family to the U.S. grew up to return to Hungary and run a construction company. He worked with my husband to help build our school.

The Bridge at Andau is a special and important book for me.

[Nelda Zamir · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read several other books by Michener and enjoyed them very much. Most are epic descriptions of a place and the people there. This book is focused on the uprising in Hungary against the Communist government in 1956. Michener was actually at the border in Austria and had the opportunity to interview scores of people as they fled Hungary. I do feel he was genuinely moved by their stories and situations. However, the book is more a piece of propaganda or at least a heartfelt attempt at persuasion for Americans to despise Communism and be more welcoming to refugees from those countries and more willing to use military efforts against Communist governments. Despite the title, only chapter 9 (of 11 chapters) really has to do with people crossing the bridge at Andau. I was disappointed not to learn more about Hungary, its culture and people, how Communism came to Hungary, etc. I did learn a little about the uprising in Oct. 1956 and how it came to happen, which seems to have been mainly by chance. This was an early book by Michener. I wish he had taken the time to write a fully epic book of Hungary. This book seems to have been a rush job to respond to what he had experienced rather than a well-planned epic book of a region, as his other books were. A pity really.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

"There were young men in Budapest who laid down their lives because they wanted to return to a system in which a man could sit with friends over a glass of beer and let the wild flow of ideas lead where it would". The Bridge at Andau is a factual account of the Hungarian struggle and eventual emigration of a people against Russia and their version of "communism" in the late 1950's. The book details the strength and honour of a people who had enough with the tension and stress of living under a Russian regime where their own people would spy on them. They saw that the promises the Russians made weren't materialising and instead, they were at best, starving and silent and at worst, tortured and killed. Michener writes eloquently and takes great pains to ensure all stories at the Andau bridge are verified not twice, but at least 3 times. It is a heroic but sad account of a country who had enough. This book mirrors what is happening in Russia today and the struggle of Ukraine to remain free.

[Andrew Leeder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would say closer to 3.5. Very interesting to read a history book that was written directly after the even (1957) almost played more as a newspaper article.

Was interesting to listen to the author’s opinions on communism (not a fan). But also his prediction on the eventual downfall of communism (nailed it). Also interesting how much angst the author discussed the expansion of communism in places we never think of Italy, France, India and Uruguay vs 0 discussion of the eventual expansion in Vietnam.

Good. Not great.

[Judith Kovacs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since both of my parents and my husband (as a toddler) were refugees during the 1956 Hungarian revolution, I have no idea why I hadn't heard of this book before. It was an amazing (if terrifying) account of what went on during those few months. I was sometimes shocked at the stereotyping, but then had to remind myself that it was written in January of 1957, so... Anyone who's remotely interested in what the Russians did in Hungary to maintain communism should read this.

[Lauren McDonnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting, and timely/chilling, given Russia’s current invasion of the Ukraine. Most of it was good journalism from Michener, whom I only knew for his novels; however the last two chapters or so are mostly a late-1950s staunch capitalist’s admonishments for Communist sympathizers in light of the attempted Hungarian revolution. Generally enjoyable and interesting—gives a good portrait of the Hungarian people from the time.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read if one has forgotten (or never knew of) the atrocities of the Soviets, this is but a thin slice of what it was like to be in the thrall of Moscow during the Cold War. Sadly, one can't help but cringe reading the final chapters as Michener describes interacting with Chinese communists... Whereas Michener mentions the Suez Crisis as a handy retort for his Chinese interlocutors, what stands out now, with the remove of 60+ years, is that this admirable book was written and published at the very beginning of the United States' involvement in Vietnam.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea about this Hungarian history in the 1950’s and their battle against Russia and communism. The spirit and brave effort of Hungarians in that time was inspiring. I now have some understanding of how Russia continues to manipulate people’s understanding of what communism means to the everyday citizens versus the luxuries bestowed on the top bureaucrats, military and well to do members of the communist party. The sheer brutality of Russian tactics in their prisons in Siberia obviously continue today as evidenced by the recent death of Alexei Navalny.

[Todd Friars · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reads like a diary capturing what feels like a first hand account from Hungarians who survived and escaped the Russian put down of the 1956 revolution. It’s quite a unique capture of an event in real time without all the excess one would find in a book written today.

[Steve Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bridge at Andau

The “Great Courses” lecturer on the history of eastern Europe, strongly recommended this book if one is to understand Hungary and the suffering of satellite nations under Soviet communism. Michener lived, breathed, and infuses us with as profound a story as I have ever read. I am horrified by how little we did to help Hungary and by how blithely was luxuriate in our precious freedom. I treasure the tears in my eyes as I inhaled this masterwork.

[Christopher Sutch · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are a couple of things Michener does well in this bit of pseudo-reportage about the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and the refugee crisis that followed, but there are many more things he doesn't do nearly as well as he should. First, he does tell several stories of the events in Budapest in a competent and occasionally gripping way (his account of how the "revolutionists," as he calls them, managed to destroy so many Soviet tanks is pretty riveting stuff). His focus on individual values and the struggle for personal freedom in the face of massive state totalitarian tyranny is also well-done (with a caveat I'll get to in a moment). In fact, it's that part of the book that makes this volume still particularly timely, albeit we are facing a different form of totalitarianism today, one that is more subtle and insidious than Michener and his Cold War companions could ever possibly have imagined (as is demonstrated in his complete misunderstanding of the nature of modern imperialism displayed in his record of arguments with Asian students in the penultimate chapter). But it's in this thing that he does well that, paradoxically, lie the seeds of the undoing of his work in this particular book (and in much of his other work more generally). For Michener fundamentally (and probably willfully) distorts the category "communism" beyond any logically precise definition. Sometimes he uses "communism" to mean Soviet-style state capitalism (which is how most of the critics of his day, and even still today, think of the word). If he stuck to that definition his argument would be stronger, but he can't help attempting to throw other forms of western Marxism into the "communism" catch-all; when he does this he ends up tripping over his own words (sorry for my own tangle of metaphors...). He claims (at the same time, mind you) that Hungarians overwhelmingly rejected "communism" by fighting the Soviets and their imposed Hungarian security service (the AVO), AND ALSO that many of those who fought remained "communist" in their beliefs and wishes for the post-Soviet evolution of their state (for example, the continued collectivization of farms and farm machinery, which Michener is forced to call "an acceptable liberal policy"[!]). Is it possible that Michener really didn't see that there is a difference between socialism and Soviet-style "communism?" Perhaps (and many academics continue to make this same error by refusing to closely analyze the socioeconomic formations of the Soviet state). But to my mind, this sort of argument reads much more like Cold War propaganda along the lines of many of the things J. Edgar Hoover had written in the previous decade before this book was published. Along these lines (and probably because of them) Michener is laughably wrong in his attempts to generalize and extrapolate the consequences for "communism" in the world after 1956. This, of course, is somewhat understandable (who can perfectly extrapolate from events so recent?), but what I find not comprehensible (what I might even call hypocritical) is Michener's later failure to write in such scathing terms about the totalitarian regimes sponsored by the US in, for example, Chile, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Where are Michener's volumes condemning these atrocities? At least in Hungary there were hundreds of thousands of survivors walking across the border into Austria. Where are the disappeared from Central America that the US had a hand in burying in shallow graves? Where is Michener's outrage about those lives lost? Ultimately, this book fails because of Michener's own propagandizing and lack of imagination (or integrity). It's a low point in the career of an author who, in many other respects, had a depth and breadth of vision that continues to astonish.