Paul Lendvai is a Hungarian-born Austrian journalist who worked as a correspondent for the Financial Times for more than two decades. He is the author of Hungary: Between Democracy and Authoritarianism; Inside Austria: New Challenges, Old Demons; and Blacklisted: A Journalist's Life in Central Europe.
"In this well-informed and up-to-date biography of Orb�n. . .
Lendvai offers a detailed account of when and how [he] changed his
spots over the years. . . . Lendvai's fair-minded book is a
reminder that the lobbyists' claims about Orb�n's democratic
credentials and his goodwill toward the United States are fake news
. . . As Lendvai makes it clear, he should be taken seriously."
--Washington Post
"[Either] Mr. Orb�n has always been a right-wing nationalist and
merely adopted the guise of a Central European dissident to curry
favor with Western liberal elites [or] the other, less charitable
explanation is that Mr. Orb�n is a power-hungry opportunist. The
truth, according to Paul Lendvai in his new book, 'Orb�n, ' is that
he is both-and all the more dangerous for that. . . In a country as
inscrutable as Hungary, Mr. Lendvai makes a valuable guide." --Wall
Street Journal " [A] Thoughtful, entertaining biography...The value
of Lendvai's book lies in his penetrating explanation of why
Hungary's post-1989 institutions have proved so vulnerable to Mr
Orban's assault" -- The Financial Times"Viktor Orb�n, Hungary's
prime minister, has become infamous for his ruthless crackdown on
refugees and embrace of an unabashed nationalism. This first
English-language biography of Orban captures how he turned himself
into one of the most successful populist autocrats of our
times."--The New York Review of Books
"Paul Lendvai, a veteran eastern Europe watcher, tracks the career
of a man who started out as an anti-communist rebel and gradually
turned into an autocrat...[Lendvai] has become the doyen of central
European analysis."-- The Times"Lendvai's excellent book is a
lively account of how one very smart politician has changed the
weather in his own country. It is also an invaluable guide to what
has happened over the past years elsewhere in the erstwhile Eastern
bloc, while the rest of Europe has barely been noticing.' -- The
Sunday Times
"What Lendvai says in his new biography of Orb�n should be taken
seriously."--The Times Literary Supplement'Only very few people
know Hungary and the personalities active there so well as does
Paul Lendvai. Anyone seeking to gain a clear picture of
developments in Central and Eastern Europe cannot ignore this
book.' -- Dr Heinz Fischer, Federal President of Austria,
2006-2016"A superb political observer, researcher and writer, Paul
Lendvai tells the story of Viktor Orb�n, Hungary's world-famous
leader, and his rise from rags to riches, and from a young
revolutionary democrat to a chauvinist demagogue and a savvy,
conservative statesman. As Lendvai explains so well, Orb�n won the
loyalty of the majority of Hungarians by securing them a safe
existence, free from parliamentary turmoil and from the alleged
danger represented by 'swarthy' refugees. In his relentless pursuit
of money and power, Orb�n -- and his team of fellow former country
boys -- gravely weakened the system of checks and balances, and
extended his authority over much of the media, education, and the
economy. Lendvai does not deny Orb�n's charm and outstanding
intellect but warns of the damage his cold narcissism is causing to
European unity, mutual trust, and humane behavior." -- Istv�n De�k,
Seth Low Professor Emeritus of History, Columbia University
"Lendvai's book is both a profile of the man and a potted history
of Hungarian politics since 1989. Unlike most journalists who pass
hasty judgment on the country, Lendvai is well-informed." -- The
Spectator"Brilliantly researched, knowledgeable and richly detailed
. . . [Lendvai] explains why Orb�n's Hungary . . . is in peril." --
S�ddeutsche Zeitung
"In Europe, Viktor Orb�n is the pioneer of populism in power. Paul
Lendvai's excellent book is an indispensable guide to understanding
the man himself as well as the increasingly authoritarian system
Orb�n has been constructing in Hungary." -- Jan-Werner M�ller,
Princeton University, author of What is Populism?"[Q]uietly
devastating . . . highly recommended."--Prospect Magazine"Paul
Lendvai covers an impressive sweep of Hungarian history, starting
with the gloomy events in the midst of the twentieth century to the
encouraging liberal interim period and ends with Viktor Orb�n's
destructive vision of an 'illiberal democracy.' Lendvai's
remarkable book should be a warning -- beyond Hungary -- for the
whole of Europe." -- Franz Vranitzky, Federal Chancellor of
Austria, 1986-1997"Paul Lendvai presents the story of Viktor Orb�n,
the populist-nationalistic-authoritarian prime minister of Hungary
in a balanced and masterful way. His excellent portrait exposes the
personal characteristics and political methods of a talented,
power-seeking and authoritarian politician. This book is a must
read that helps to understand the phenomenon of populist
demagogues." -- Ivan T. Berend, Senior Research Professor,
University of California, Los Angeles
"Paul Lendvai's book is sobering reading and its telling of the
widespread corruption in Fidesz and the Orb�n family is carefully
researched. After laying down his brief to be truthful and
dispassionate, he succeeds admirably."--Budapest Times"An
astonishing story, told here in remarkable detail . . . an
alarming, worrying and illuminating tale." -- The Journal of
Liberal History
"There is no doubt that in order to understand contemporary
Hungary, one must truly understand Viktor Orb�n. Lendvai's latest
book is a must-read for those attempting to undertake this
quest."-- New Eastern Europe"Orb�n: Europe's New Strongman is one
of the most interesting and necessary critical biographies
published in some time ... a timely and well-written analysis of an
important subject, which has resonance beyond the borders of
Hungary or even Central Europe." -- Merion West
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