Twelve Days The Story of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution

Twelve Daysis a riveting day-by-day account of the defining moment of the Cold Warthe inspiring but brutally crushed Hungarian Uprising. Victor Sebestyen, a journalist whose own family fled Hungary, gives us a totally fresh account, incorporating newly released official documents, his family's diaries, and eyewitness testimony. We witness the thrilling first days whenarmed only with a few rifles, petrol bombs, and desperate couragethe people of Budapest rose up against their Soviet masters and nearly succeeded. As the world watched in amazement, it looked as though the Hungarians might humble the Soviet empire. But the Soviets were willing to resort to brutal lengthsand, sadly, the West was prepared to let them. Dramatic, vivid, and authoritative,Twelve Daysadds immeasurably to our understanding of this historic event and reminds us of the unquenchable human desire for freedom.

Victor Sebestyen was born in Budapest and was only an infant when his family left Hungary. He has worked for many British newspapers, including the Evening Standard. He lives in England.


From the Hardcover edition.