Erich Lessing's landmark photographs of the Hungarian Revolution, published to mark the 50th anniversary of the uprising. On October 23, 1956, what began as a mass rally in Budapest quickly evolved into the Hungarian Revolution. Within days, millions of Hungarians were supporting the revolt. It lasted until November 4th when it was crushed by Hungarian Security Police and Soviet tanks and artillery. Between 25,000 and 50,000 Hungarian rebels and 7,000 Soviets were killed, thousands were injured, and nearly a quarter of a million people left the country as refugees. Erich Lessing was the first photographer to arrive in Hungary, and he documented the short-lived uprising and its aftermath in a series of world-famous photographs, reproduced here in stunning duotone. They bring to life once more the hope and euphoria of the first days of the revolt, so soon to be followed by the pain and punishment of its brutal suppression. 230 duotone illustrations.
The book is rather large and heavy, so difficult to read as a historical text. The 4 star rating is for the photos not the text.
It's a good coffee table book or discussion piece, rather than an official historical review of a difficult period in Hungary. The photographs are plentiful, but if you are looking for photos or armor "in action" during the revolution you will likely be disappointed as most of the photos are of politicians, people and places. There are however, some photos of T34-85s and T-54/55s.
If you are looking for historical photographs of the events leading up to, during and after the revolution this is a great book. Some of the pictures may be disturbing to some, but that is one of the advantages of the book: it paints the revolution as it was, painful, messy and with casualties on both sides.
If you are interested in photography or historical photographs, this book may also be for you. It would also be a good book as an accompaniment to a more readable historical text.