Preface by Gyula Kozák

Editor's introduction

THAW

Change had to come

The people didn't trust Comrade Mátyás Rákosi any more

Imre Nagy takes a walk down Váci utca

The atmosphere became freer

Not a word of the accusations was true

That was enough of the League of Working Youth and the one-party system

REVOLT

This was the revolution itself

The star was put out

Hold out, Joe!

What do you mean over us? These guys are firing into us!

The siege of the Radio

Let's join the Pest people

A COUNTRY IN BATTLE

How could such young kids have so much bravery in them?

It wasn't a volley, it was butchery

The party leadership gave up

Gunpowder in the air

The revolution spread

The ávo fired into the crowd

THE REVOLUTION TRIUMPS

We thought the Russians would really withdraw

All the injured were treated

Imre Nagy disbanded the ÁVH

The National Guard was established

The government declared the country’s neutrality

The workers’ councils formed spontaneously

Natural self-organization

The Imre Nagy government must be supported!

All parties may operate

All political prisoners must be freed!

Did Kádár change sides, or was he kidnapped?

Russian tanks surrounded the city

THE sECOND SOVIET INTERVENTION  

November 4—the Russians are coming

We took up arms

There were front conditions

In Soviet custody

Where’s the government?

REARGUARD ACTION 

Something has to be done!

The parties excluded from power

I have to leave here

The workers’ council was still active then

They steadily informed the people that they were the lords

Shall I join? Shall I take it on?

Society very soon capitulated

The rememberers 

Index of names 

List of abbreviations