History of Hungary

LÁSZLÓ KONTLER is Head of History at The Central European University in Budapest.

• PrefaceIntroductionReflections in Symbolic GeographyThe Land, the Peoples, the MigrationsThe Making of a Medieval Monarchy (895-1301)Golden Ages and Decline (1301-1526)Wedged Between Empires (1526-1711)Enlightenment, Reform and Revolution (1711-1849)The Advent of Modernity and the Persistence of the Old Regime (1849-1918)In Search of an Identity (1918-1945)Utopias and their Failures (1945-1989)EpilogueList of MapsNote on PronunciationBibliographyIndex.

'Kontler's text is a neatly balanced distillation of heated debates on problems that might remain open forever. At the same time, many a controversial issue receives fresh light from original research. There is none of the false pathos and the commonplaces so readily encountered in 'concise histories.' - Eva H. Balazs, Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest '[This] is a comprehensive survey based on an impressively wide-ranging knowledge, and is miles away from being just another abridged national history. The book will be highly popular among general readers as well as students and scholars of Central Europe.' - Laszlo Peter, School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University of London 'This is a magnificent work and, indeed, the best survey of Hungarian history ever published in any language...Unlike other accounts of Hungarian history, [it] does not concentrate on the modern period at the expense of previous centuries...This is a book which serves not only the general reader but also the specialist with an interest in just one part of Hungary's history. It is comprehensive, inspiring and provoking.' - Martyn Rady, School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University of London '...a detailed, sophisticated treatment of the entire sweep of Hungary's long history.' - Rebecca Gates-Coon, Austrian History Yearbook '...clearly conscientious and knowledgeable...' - Tibor Fischer, The Guardian 'Rigorous analysis, strongly recommended to advanced students of history' - Istvan Deak, Times Literary Supplement 'Kontler...goes beyond basic information to provide penetrating interpretations of crucial moments in the Hungarian past.' - P. W. Knoll, Choice