Prior to reading this book I knew that the Soviet Union had crushed rebellions in 1956 in Hungary and in 1968 in Czechoslovakia. A political science professor professor of mine had made passing remarks about the brutality of the Soviet system but until reading this book I don’t think I appreciated the scope of atrocities committed in Budapest in 1956.
Michener spent time at the Bridge at Andau and helped Hungarians cross the border into Austria. During this time he was able to conduct numerous interviews and collect the materials he needed to write this book. There are a couple of things to note at the outset. He doesn’t use the real names of many of the characters in this book because they still had family members in Hungary. This book was written in 1957 so the Soviet authorities had every capability of extracting retribution on those family members. As a result he took the experiences of three people and turned it into the actions of one person in this book. Also the AVO officer Tibor Donath is a character that Michener created based on his interviews.
Michener makes clear from the start his views on communist Russia. Within the first few paragraphs he states: “In Hungary, Russia demonstrated that her program is simple. Infiltrate a target nation (as she did in Bulgaria and Rumania, for example); get immediate control of the police force (as she did in Czechoslovakia); initiate a terror which removes all intellectual and labor leadership (as she did in Latvia and Estonia); deport to Siberia troublesome people (as she did in Lithuania and Poland); and then destroy the nation completely if the least sign of independence shows itself.”
He further notes on the evils of communism: “That Budapest was destroyed by Russian tanks is tragic; but a greater tragedy had already occurred: the destruction of human decency. In the pages that follow, the people of Hungary—many of them communists—will relate what Russian communism really means.”
Michener outlines the Hungarian Revolution and the Soviet response in great detail in this book. Beginning with the gathering of students in front of Radio Budapest, that was guarded by well armed AVO (Hungarian Secret Police) men, to the battle for Kilian Barracks, to the Russian response, to the flight of Hungarians across the bridge at Andau, Michener tells of of heroic actions of everyday citizens who could no longer stomach communism.
There were times when the book strayed into Hungarian history to provide context for why certain actions were occurring. At times this seemed helpful and at other times it distracted from the story.
Michener Also spends time trying to show that Hungary is not an exception to communist rule. He states “From what I have seen of communist regimes, I am satisfied that each communist country has its exact equivalent of the AVO. The reader can be absolutely certain that a similar force operates in Russia, in Bulgaria, in Latvia, in North Korea, in China and wherever else communism has been in operation for over one year. Evidence from escapees who have fled these countries is unanimous in defense of this contention.“
Overall this is a very good book that outlines the tyranny and horrors of communism and the extreme difficulties in trying to revolt after it has attained power. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Great literature should do more than entertain us. It should provide a roadmap to improving our lives.
In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens introduced readers to Sydney Carton, one of literature's most compelling and deeply flawed characters. Dickens also gives him an unusual title: the Jackal.
His struggles raise questions that remain relevant today.
Are we defined by our past mistakes? Can we overcome our weaknesses? What separates the people we are from the people we could become?
Lessons From the Jackal is a 25-day character study exploring these questions through Sydney Carton’s life, decisions, relationships, and personal development.
This is not a traditional course on A Tale of Two Cities. Our reading assignments will focus specifically on Carton, with sufficient background provided to understand his story. No previous knowledge of the novel is necessary.
Each day will feature selected readings, historical comparisons, reflection questions, discussions, and practical challenges ...
In 1781, London’s Inner Temple was one of England’s four Inns of Court, institutions responsible for admitting and training barristers. Situated near the River Thames, between Fleet Street and the river, the Inner Temple had been associated with the English legal profession for centuries.
Its origins date to the medieval period, when the Knights Templar occupied land in this part of London. Following the dissolution of the order in the early fourteenth century, the area gradually developed into a center of legal education and professional activity.
By the eighteenth century, the Inner Temple was an established community of barristers, legal students, and experienced members of the profession. Its grounds contained chambers where lawyers could work, residential accommodations, a hall for communal dining, and the historic Temple Church.
For an ambitious young man, admission to the Inner Temple represented an opportunity to enter a respected profession. Students studied legal texts, observed court proceedings, and developed ...
“You’ve been at Doctor Manette’s house as much as I have, or more than I have. Why, I have been ashamed of your moroseness there! Your manners have been of that silent and sullen and hangdog kind, that, upon my life and soul, I have been ashamed of you, Sydney!”
