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The Bridge at Andau

Written by: James A. Michener
Narrated by: Larry McKeever
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Publisher's Summary

The Bridge at Andau is James A. Michener at his most gripping. His classic nonfiction account of a doomed uprising is as searing and unforgettable as any of his best-selling novels.

For five brief, glorious days in the autumn of 1956, the Hungarian revolution gave its people a glimpse at a different kind of future - until, at four o’clock in the morning on a Sunday in November, the citizens of Budapest awoke to the shattering sound of Russian tanks ravaging their streets. The revolution was over.

But freedom beckoned in the form of a small footbridge at Andau, on the Austrian border. By an accident of history, it became, for a few harrowing weeks, one of the most important crossings in the world, as the soul of a nation fled across its unsteady planks.

Praise for The Bridge at Andau:

“Precise, vivid...immeasurably stirring.” (The Atlantic Monthly)

“Dramatic, chilling, enraging.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Superb.” (Kirkus Reviews)

©1957 James Michener (P)2018 Random House Audio

What the critics say

“Highly recommended reading.” (Library Journal)

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Heart Breaking

This book should be required reading in grade 7 or 8. Anyone who thinks that socialism is the way of life should get to know a DP, or a Hungarian. The 56ers are dying off now, but their sons and daughters know full well the atrocities that happened in Hungary in 1956 especially.
I grew up not too far from Cleveland Ohio, which has the largest Hungarian population outside of Hungary. But my lessons on Hungarian culture didn’t start until I moved to Winnipeg Manitoba Canada. I married the daughter of 2 Hungarian immigrants who fled Hungary in 1956. Getting to know my in-laws and her aunts and uncles, her friends moms and dads, I’ve heard similar stories for the last 25 years. I will learn more this Christmas because we will discuss this book.
It’s captivating, it’s grotesque, it’s inhumane, unbelievable, and undeniable. Yet, the same is happening in Ukraine right now, and where is the US? Where is the rest of the world? Nobody is standing up to take down Putin. (As a US Navy veteran, I don’t believe that the US is the world police on democracy, but there should be a secret military coalition that must take out Putin and end the war and suffering, on both sides.
I picked up this book because I was interested in purchasing specialized eyeglasses, loupes to do dental laboratory work from a company called Andau. After researching the company website and getting their story my historical research was on!
The reader did a great job presenting the material- although any Hungarian would appreciate the correct pronunciation of certain words- although that’s a fine detail that the other ethnic backgrounds wouldn’t pick up.
Thank you. Most enlightening!

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