This book offers a well-crafted exploration of a relatively neglected subject in English-language histories of the immediate post-World War II period. It tells the story of concluding peace treaties with the European allies of Hitler's Germany, originally designed to be a preliminary step toward a larger continental settlement. While the primary focus is on Hungary, the narrative embraces the experiences of five countries - Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Italy and Romania - which effectively makes it into a comparative study.
The book's conclusions are drawn from a detailed narrative supported by a huge footnoting apparatus, utilizing archival and printed materials from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Soviet Union/Russia, Hungary and Romania. A particular strength is the author's skill in balancing this rich documentation, so it does not overwhelm the narrative itself, making it accessible to any reader interested in the immediate postwar history of Europe. Academics engaged in researching the origins of the Cold War, or revisiting another chapter in the long sad saga of ethno-politics on the Continent's Eastern periphery will find it especially valuable.
(Andrew C. Janos professor emeritus, University of California, Berkeley)