Austria Books

Jeno Gyorkei and Miklos Horvath, eds. _Soviet MilitaryIntervention in Hungary, 1956_ . Trans. Emma Roper Evans. Budapest:Central European University Press, 1999. xv + 318 pp. Tables, photographs, maps, endnotes, biographical notes. (cloth), ISBN 963-9116-36X ; (paper), ISBN 963 9116 35 1.

The _Soviet Military Intervention in Hungary, 1956_ , edited by Jeno Gyorkei of the Military History Institute in Budapest, and Miklos Horvath, of the Hungarian Army's Political College, is a worthy addition to the series of books by Columbia University Press (Atlantic Studies on Society in Change ) that surveys many aspects of East Central European society. [1] Originally published in Hungarian in 1996, this book consists of three essays, each about one hundred pages, by Gyorkei and Horvath, Alexander Kirov, and Yevgeny Malashenko, respectively [2]. All three selections primarily focus on Soviet and Hungarian military actions in the 1956 crisis, rather than the Soviet decision making process, or the influence of other Warsaw Pact countries. In the book's preface, Bela Kiraly, the chief editor of the series and a key participant in the 1956 events, poses--and then answers--four questions about the Hungarian crisis, which have preoccupied scholars from former communist countries. First, was the 1956 uprising a revolution or counter-revolution? If it was a revolution, did it succeed or fail? As Kiraly contends, "Without 1956 the radical changes of the `lawful revolution' that commenced in 1989 and is still in progress would not have happened, or if it had, it would not have been what it is today." (xiv) (The Hungarian Parliament passed a resolution on May 2, 1990 classifying the events of 1956 as a "revolution" and "war of independence.") Second, was the introduction of Soviet troops an aggressive act, or did it constitute military aid to a beleaguered socialist state that had requested it? Kiraly confirms that the Soviet actions did amount to war by pointing out the size of the Soviet military force used in Hungary in the November 4 intervention (17 divisional units), the number of Soviet casualties (722 men killed, 1,251 wounded), and the number of medals awarded to Soviet soldiers (26 "Hero of the Soviet Union" medals, 10,000 combat medals). Kiraly argues that if the USSR had to exert such a great effort, this could not have constituted mere "aid" to Hungary. (Let us also remember Hungarian Premier Imre Nagy's last radio appeal at 5:20 a.m. on November 4, in which he states that the USSR "attacked our capital with the obvious intention of overthrowing the legitimate Hungarian democratic government." In addition, on October 24, 1991, as reported by _ Izvestiia _, the Soviet Supreme Council categorically condemned the Soviet troop intervention, acknowledging it as an interference in the internal affairs of Hungary. ) Thirdly, was there indeed armed conflict between "socialist" states? Kiraly asserts that Hungary had no intention in 1956 of completely abandoning socialism, and therefore the Soviet Union did attack another socialist state. Finally, was the declaration of neutrality on November 1 the cause, or the effect, of Soviet aggression? Kiraly states that Nagy's declaration was merely the effect; by November 1 Khrushchev and his colleagues were already informing other Warsaw Pact leaders in Bucharest, and on the island of Brioni the following day of impending action. (....)Kiraly, commander-in-chief of the National Gua END

Henry Kamen's Spain 1469-1714, a Society in Conflict is a political history spanning the growth and length of Spain's Imperialism and colonial empire. It is also a study of how religious conflict created among Catholics, Jews and Muslims shaped the political agenda of the crown. At the same time there were internal conflicts, Spain both as an alliance of Argon and Castile and later as a part of the Habsburg empire, then the Bourbons, was thrust into a global role in the new world, the Netherlands and Italy. It is a narrative/exposition approach that uses religious and economic strands as well as politics to explore the conflicts that shaped Spain as it passed from individual kingdoms into a modern state. Kamen provides an extensive bibliography including many Spanish sources, none of which appears to include original source material.

Part one of the book focuses on the period from 1469 to 1516, which Kamen calls "The Catholic Kings." It is a time period that is often looked upon as Spain's golden age. The marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella united the kingdoms of Argon and Castile. Both kingdoms evolved in different ways which created potential sources of conflict. It was to Isabella and Ferdinand's credit that their major focus remained the pacification of Spain. Kamen investigates their pacification efforts through seven venues: hermandades, aristocracy, the municipalities, the Military Orders, the councils of state, justice and the Cortes. One of the contributing factors to conflict cited by Kamen throughout this period and all succeeding reigns was the crown's need to raise money. In spite of the wealth that came in from the America's, the Spanish treasury was always in need of money. Kamen, in effect, built as case for self-perpetuating conflict -conflict needs armies that needed money that created more conflict as the crown tried to raise it.

The kings that followed Isabella/Ferdinand set different agendas. Charles V and his descendants committed themselves to Castile and their center of government. They financed their activities by tapping four major sources: Argon, Castile, the church and the Americas. However, the Americas never became the cash cow that the kings and councilors had hoped because the trade business was dominated by foreigners with Spain functioning only as a conduit. Consequently, the government periodically declared bankruptcy to cancel its debts.

Religion was one of the other strands Kamen uses to develop his society in conflict themes. Phillip II, an extremely religious monarch, instituted the Inquisition. This required a nationalized church and its purpose was to reconvert the general population back to Catholicism. It coincided with the expelling of all the Moriscos which in itself created demographic problems and a lower tax base with its corresponding economic consequences.

Kamen continues with the economic, religious and political conflict themes through the reign of Philip V who finally unifies the country and ends the power of the old aristocracy. The empire also came to an end. The book concludes with Kamen arguing that the debate over the future is as uncertain today as it was in 1714.

The book is an outstanding portrait of Spain during the empire days. Although it had a colonial empire during this period and was recognized as a world power, Kamen's thorough analysis reveals the weakness inherent in all phases of society. It was truly a society in conflict.

Superb, once again Graham Darby wrecks the review curb with a work that is both incisive and challenging. I have yet to find a more consistently excellent historical author, or one that is so willing to challenge established convention. It is refreshing to find a new slant on a time worn subject, and doubly so on a subject that is so often considered open and shut. I don't know if Graham Darby is considered the historian of a time, but for writing a book such as this he certainly deserves to be. This book, until he writes one about Palmerston or Castlereagh (possibly the greatest foreign secretaries Britain has ever had) will remain his 'magnum opus'.
The fact that this book is willing to give as much attention to the domestic situation in Spain at this period as to the foriegn situation gives it an incredibly balanced feel, and makes it useful for both students of history, and those who instruct in that fine subject.
If you need a book on this subject, then you need this book. It is all too often true that historians focus on the negative aspects of history, but Darby has shown that the history of Spain is both an invigorating, and an enjoyable read. Thoroughly appreciated. Keep up the good work Graham!

I happened to pick up this book in an ebay auction after two visits there. Paul Hoffman is a Vienna native and has written
extensively about the city and his native land elsewhere. The book is unique in describing points of interest in the woods which surround Vienna on the south and west. Points of interest such as churches, monuments, restaurants, homes and palaces are described in the detail which only a native can. A good example
are facts about the suicide of Crown Prince Rudolph in the woods in 1889 which I have not found published elsewhere.
If you love Vienna, you'll love this little book.

This book is a true account of the people who were exiled because they were Jewish and persecuted by the Nazis.It is a sincere description of biographical accounts. The introduction to the book is written with understanding and feelings by the editor, Adi Wimmer. The book is divided into three sections each one reflecting a different attitude toward the return to Austria. The experiences of the exiles are clearly described.

At the time this book was published in 1987, there were about 35,000 Jews in Germany, most of whom were children of Holocaust survivors. (Today, there are also quite a few Eastern European Jews who came after the Berlin Wall came down). Later, when I myself visited Germany in 1997, I had many conversations similar to those in this book.

"I'm proud to live with my family in Germany as a religious Jew," writes one contributor. "My bags are always packed," writes another. Between these two extremes of comfort and fear, there's a wide spectrum of feelings about what it is like to be a Jew in Central Europe today. These are 14 testimonials from German Jews, not as the public would like to see them, but how they feel in private, in the depths of their hearts and souls. A troubling, thought-provokng book that is hard to read, but impossible to put down.

This autobiography is one of the most appealing in its genre. From the first page one is captivated by the tone of the writing. There is no bravado in these pages, no dull lists of achievements and summits gained. Instead one is immersed in the mountains and can fully understand the impact they had on this mountaineers life, from early boy-hood onwards. For those who know the beauty of the mountains this is a book for you.

Volume IV was published by Kabel Publishers. It includes historical documents, index and bibliography for volumes I-IV. The whole four volumes were revised and published in a 2 Volume Hard bound, small folio magnum opus with numerous colored illustrations and bibliography as "The belle Epoque of Surgery - The Life and Times of Theodor Billroth" with a new printing in 1998 (Kabel Publishers, ISBN 0-930329-64-3, US $99.50, Volume discounts). The volume also follows in addition of the development of modern surgerry the development of pathology, microscopic and surgical pathology.

Friedrich Torberg is not one well known to English speakers, but his impact is still there. "Tante Jolesch or the Decline of the West in Anecdotes" is a memoir of sorts spanning many decades of his life. He reflects on his early days with other intellectuals in Vienna coffee houses towards his time as a budding author only to have his career cut short by Hitler's anti-Judaic sanctions. Fleeing to America, he plied his craft through the war as one of many German Anti-Nazi writers. He returned and kept writing, and his writings are compiled within. "Tante Jolesch" is a look at one of the most treasured German writers, and the book explains why he is rightfully so considered.

This is a kind of historical fiction play, about a crazy artis who paints his girlfriend nude, and the interaction they both have with a little girl called Tatjana.

It's a very difficult subject to even write about, but Jordan handles this very tactfully. I definitely recommend it.