Recommended literature

Hungarian Democrazy

Would you like to read a book about Budapest and Hungary? Here are great books about Budapest and Hungary, ideal for tourists, history-lovers and more.

Maybe you would like a good book to read about Budapest in the future? Or maybe you need a travel guide with information about our beautiful city? Who knows, but in this article we will write about some recommended literature which hopefully will cheer you up on a dark winter evening, or which will help you get the most out of your stay in Budapest with maps, pictures, information, advices and much more.

Look no further, here comes the number one advice with recommended literature for your Budapest trip, or with books that somehow deals with Budapest to be enjoyed at home with in the company of a chocolate and a good cup of black tea. Enjoy!

If you click on the name of the books you will be sent to Amazon.com from where you can easily order the book!

Good books about Budapest and Hungary

Budapest Noir: A Novel
Noir style is a bit dark, but this book will still brighten up your day. If you have a bit knowledge about Budapest you will totally enjoy this book. The story happens in 1937 and all information and names used in the book is accurate from that time. That is why you will find it interesting as the main character of the book walks by Adolf Hitler square (today Kodály Körönd) and lots of similar happenings. The story itself is also great, so if you want a book hard to put down once you have started it, this is it!

Frommer’s Budapest Day By Day
If you want to skip the guided tour and walk around in Budapest by yourself this is the ideal book for you. The book includes suggestions for lots and lots of walking tours in the most famous and less famous neighborhoods of Budapest and will give you all the information you need about the different areas. The author of the book has lived in Budapest for nearly 18 years, making him a master on the subject and thus also knowing what needs to be seen for those visiting the city for 1, 2, 3 or 4 days!

Budapest 1900-2000
This is a very easy to read book made by two photographers who lets you see a bit of the history of Budapest through their eyes. The book deals with what it looked like back then, and what the city is like now. This is a typical tourist book which you also will find around at markets and bookstores in Budapest.

Hungary: Between Democracy and Authoritarianism (Columbia/Hurst)
The political situation in Hungary is a very special one, and if you want to get to know more about it, this is the number one book to read. It gives background information about what has been before and since the book was released in 2012 it also includes information and thoughts on the Hungarian Prime Minister and all their reforms made between 2010-2012 which has received lots of attention both within and outside Hungary. It is worth knowing that this book is heavily debated, and lots of people do not agree on the information and conclusions drawn in this book, but that is the way Hungarian politics work.

A Concise History of Hungary
For those interested in the history of Hungary, this is a book that will give you a very detailed introduction to it, and if you know the content of this book you will for sure know more than your tourist guide and most other people you meet in Hungary will know about their own history. Get to know more about the origin of the Hungarians, their trip to the Carpathian basin and more information about how the country turned into what is today.

The Hungarians: A Thousand Years of Victory in Defeat
If you liked the book by Paul Lendvai about the Hungarian politics (mentioned earlier) then you might be interested in one more book from the same author about the history of Hungary. This is a praised book by many and it is said by some that this is “the most comprehensive, clear-sighted, and absorbing history ever of a legendarily proud and passionate but lonely people“. The author himself fled Hungary in 1957 and lived in Austria most of his life.

The Essential Guide to Being Hungarian

Being Hungarian - a book about what it is like to be born in Hungary

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a Hungarian? In this book you will read about what it is like, and after reading it you might want to turn into a Hungarian yourself. Or maybe you will praise God for the fact that you are born somewhere else? Someone who already read the book wrote the following about it: “Being Hungarian, I found this book to be spot on accurate and very funny. It brings a lot of pride to our people. If you’re not Hungarian, you’re going to wish you were after reading this book. A lot of good information about our heritage. Overall, a great book!

We hope you will enjoy the different recommendations of books and please share your thoughts and comments if you have read any of the books, if you miss any books or whatever you have to say on this subject!

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