Budapest

Portrait of a City Between East and West

De: Victor Sebestyen

Narrado por: Elinor Coleman

AN ECONOMIST BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • A vivid and enthralling account of the historical and cultural events that defined Budapest, a unique city in the heart of Europe, on the fault line between East and West—from the critically acclaimed author of Lenin

“A compelling portrait of one of the most important cities in Europe. Full of sharp insights, elegant writing and vivid characters.” —Andrew Roberts, author of The Chief

Victor Sebestyen has written a sweeping, colorful and immersive history of the capital of Hungary, from the fifth century to the present day: a metropolis whose location in Europe has marked it as a crucial city—at times rich and prosperous, at times enduring unbearable hardship. It has stood at the center of the world-changing historical developments for hundreds of years: the Muslim invasion, The Reformation, both World Wars, fascism, the Holocaust and Communism.

Sebestyen mixes colorful details and anecdotes about the people, streets and neighborhoods of his hometown with its rich cultural legacy of literature, music, and architecture. He shows how its people have shifted culturally, politically and emotionally between East and West, through many revolutions, bloody battles, uprisings, and wars of conquest won and lost. He vividly brings to life the many rulers: the ruthless early Magyar, Hun, and Mongol chieftains, celebrated medieval kings and princes, Ottoman Turks, and the Hapsburgs, including the beloved Empress Elisabeth (“Sisi”). We also learn about colorful figures in politics, the arts and the sciences, among them Theodor Herzl, father of modern political Zionism; film pioneer Alexander Korda who held court with the director of Casablanca, Michael Curtiz, young reporter Billy Wilder, and photographer Robert Capa in the glamorous New York Café still going today; Edward Teller, inventor of the H bomb; and Countess Elisabeth Báthory, a cousin of the King of Poland, who became a serial killer, among many others.

Sebestyen’s compelling history of Budapest is a lively page-turner as well as being uniquely revelatory and authoritative account of one of the most important cities of Europe.

What does it mean to be Hungarian?

This history brings out the Hungarian-ness of Budapest well. It is more than the history of a city; it is the history of a people.

more engaging then expected

i thought i was diving into a dry, dull documentary but so many anecdotes and references that added color and a view of the human experience made it a compelling listen. character development of actual life players was good despite only a brief window to introduce and tell their story. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxx cxxcxxxgycugigiftdugigigih ivigigufygi higigigi junction

Comprehensive Insightful Enlightening

Immersive listening

A humanized "Game of Thrones" revisited.

Rich Complicated Heritage.
Appreciation for the historically significant sequence of events prior to, during and after the fall of the Fall of the Berlin Wall.

Sad but beautiful

Too much blood too gloomy but i overall a good book to read ! Interesting overall

Just finished in Downtown Budapest...

...and the expose of Hungarian Communism (any Communism, for that matter) makes it a worthy listen. The monstrous system dedicated to destroying human individuality was particularly brutal in this gorgeous city and i am amazed, after concluding this book and only one day in Budapest how resilient, prosperous and beautiful the citizens seem to be. But like. the author, i am somewhat unsatisfied with a history that provides no real conclusion or path ahead...and find myself unable to completely embrace either. Perhaps that is the intended mystery of both.

Contrasting and Mesmerizing

The history of Budapest as told by this author and read by this narrator is absolutely fascinating. Eastern Europe has always held a fascination for me. It is so turbulent; from marauding golden hordes to imperial monarchies, they’ve endured so much.

Budapest has a rich history full of tragedy and triumph; barbarity and compassion.

I loved how this story was told. It would take one of Hungarian descent to tell it so beautifully.

Absolutely Amazing 🤩

I have read many historical books, but this one in particular was written incredibly well. I also purchased the hardcover because it was ripe with interesting names, dates and events.

I highly recommend this book if you are going to visit Budapest, Prague, Vienna or Bratislava.

Books like this should be read in schools on both sides of the Atlantic 🙏 the history lessons applicable to us all.

Intense and informative

Extremely informative, and thoughtfully delivered. For both the portrait of a city, and the portrait of culture, it does not disappoint.

Fascinating

I wish I'd come across this book prior to my visit there. This city has been through absolute hell and not only survived but thrived.