The Bridge at Andau: The Compelling True Story of a Brave, Embattled People by James A. Michener

3.68 AVERAGE

emilyreadsitandweeps's profile picture

emilyreadsitandweeps's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced
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lesquijho's review against another edition

5.0
challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad medium-paced

peggysalamon's review against another edition

5.0
Excellent view of Budapest under Soviet control. Particularly interesting to read just before traveling to the city.

annemarie_d's review against another edition

4.0
challenging medium-paced
Man can be cruel in the interest of power.

translator_monkey's review

4.0
Excellent book, albeit dated and a little bit more "the way things oughtta be" flag waving from Michener in the final act that I wasn't expecting or needing to hear. I know it wasn't meant to be preachy (possibly), but it was, and then some. I didn't let the postscript editorial take away from the overall story, because yes, it is a product of its time, but it rankled me enough to kick a star off of the final grade. I'm sure Michener's estate will be just fine with that.
actually_juliette's profile picture

actually_juliette's review against another edition

3.0
I don’t think Michener is for me. Before this, I tried to read Texas.

It would have been a very interesting and informative account of the Hungarian uprising against Soviet communism were it not for Michener constantly inserting himself and proselytizing about evil communism.
Sometimes, it is more effective to show readers how evil anything is rather than browbeat them.
(I’m already in the choir. No need to proselytize.)

flyingfisch's review against another edition

5.0
Heavy and heartbreaking. Not an easy read, but it wasn't an easy time or place to be alive either.
llynnmcd's profile picture

llynnmcd's review

4.0
Really interesting, and timely/chilling, given Russia’s current invasion of the Ukraine. Most of it was good journalism from Michener, whom I only knew for his novels; however the last two chapters or so are mostly a late-1950s staunch capitalist’s admonishments for Communist sympathizers in light of the attempted Hungarian revolution. Generally enjoyable and interesting—gives a good portrait of the Hungarian people from the time.

demented_07's review against another edition

4.25
emotional informative sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

shychipmunk's review

4.0
dark informative reflective tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
It was interesting reading about an event I knew little about, and to reflect on the courage of ordinary human beings. That feels particularly necessary at this point in time.