FORTRESS BUDAPEST (Vol 1 & 2)

Publisher: Peko Publishing Kft. Web: www.pekobooks.com ISBN: 978-615-80072-5-2 Hardback: 1,107 pages (Vol 1) and 467 pages (Vol 2)

RRP: €89.96

These volumes, which are published as a pair, are certainly ‘heavyweight’ – in both such senses as they might be applied to books!

To say that these books are a labour of love would be something of an understatement, the detail contained within each volume being truly breathtaking. Literally blow-byblow, volume one delivers the most detailed and comprehensive account of the siege of the Hungarian capital, 1944 to 1945, told from the perspective of attackers and defenders. The first volume, all 1,107 pages, is the tightly packed text of that narrative. All of it is carefully set out, fully referenced and expertly edited to produce what is an astonishing amount of factual detail on this one single aspect of the Second World War.

In the second volume (which comes as part of the package), we find hundreds of photographs, maps and diagrams to support the text

of the first volume. These include some photographs accompanied by descriptive maps and plans showing the features in each photograph, where they were taken and explaining things like firing points, direction of fire etc. Additionally, some remarkably detailed plans and sketches of defensive positions are included.

Certainly, no other study of this particular aspect of the war will ever come close to the breadth and depth of this work. Thus, the reviewer feels confident to assert that it will forever remain the definitive work on the siege. Certainly, the subject matter might be a little ‘niche’ or narrow in focus, but it is also true to say that those who study other campaigns, battles or actions would give a great deal to find such published works covering their own subjects of interest. However, the lack of an index might put some off – although for a work of this magnitude, it could be problematic.

These books are overwhelmingly brilliant, and although carrying a hefty price tag €89.96, are worth every cent to those who find this area of study interesting. Reviewed by

Peter Lockwood

Illustrations ✔. References/notes ✔. Appendices ✔.

Index ✘.