Hungary

Children's Literature

The nation of Hungary is profiled in this installment from the "Modern Nations of the World" series. The introduction explains how the blend of eastern and western culture influenced Hungarian culture in different ways. Chapter One, "A Land of Great Diversity," describes the different geographic regions, cities, and environments of Hungary. Chapter Two, "The Magyars: Tugged Between East and West," explains the history of Hungary until 1914. Chapter Three, " The Unconquerable Soul of Hungary," continues the historical description until the fall of the Iron Curtain. Chapter Four, "From Communism to European Union," explains the changes that Hungary as undergone since the fall of Communism. Chapter Five, "Hungary's Creative Spirit," describes the various arts and artists of Hungary, from nineteenth-century poet Sandor Petofi to the inventor of the Rubik's Cube, as well as traditional arts and crafts. Chapter Six, "A Way of Life," details various customs, foods, and sports that the Hungarians enjoy. A "Facts on Hungary" section, a chronology, and suggested further reading are also included. Numerous black and white photographs add lots of visual interest to this detailed work. This would be an excellent book for a unit on Hungary, Eastern Europe, or even for exploring the influences of communism. 2003, Lucent,
— Amie Rose Rotruck