Twelve Days: The Story of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution (Vintage)
Fifty years ago one of the most heroic but saddest episodes of the cold war unfolded. The Hungarians, led by the Fascist sympathizer Admiral Horthy, were allied with Germany during World War II. After the Red Army "liberated" Hungary, the Soviets imposed an especially brutal, oppressive regime upon the Hungarian people. In October 1956, spontaneous resistance against both the Hungarian government and their Soviet masters exploded. Once a hesitant Soviet government acted decisively, the rebels were crushed. Using newly available resources, Sebestyen tells this story with a fast-paced narrative that shows the heroism of many Hungarians and the venality of others. As always, historical tumult created some unlikely martyrs and villains. For example, Hungarian prime minister Imre Nagy, viewed by many as a typical Soviet stooge, bravely resisted Soviet demands, ensuring his eventual doom. The American government encouraged Hungarian opposition to the Soviets but, for reasons of realpolitik, refused to provide assistance when the revolution broke out. This is an excellent recounting of an inspiring but tragic struggle for freedom against insurmountable odds.Jay FreemanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.