John Flournoy Montgomery: Hungary, the Unwilling Satellite

Although Central Europe is an area of prime importance in the world's future, we know very little of what is going on there. Even prior to the war we had scant knowledge of what was happening behind the scenes in the Central European countries – Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Yugoslavia, Rumania – except for the snap-judgements of itinerant correspondents plus an occasional analysis from one of the sounder journalists.
John Montgomery was appointed to his ministerial post by President Roosevelt to find out what precisely was going on in that tinder-box region of Europe. He lived in Hungary for eight years, knew and liked Hungarians of every political persuasion, class and interest – and his unusually well-informed book is of the utmost importance to all who are interested in foreign relations, modern history and the politics of our time.
With the rise of Hitler and Stalin the Central European countries became pawns in a colossal struggle for power. Caught between Germany and Russia, each country tried to preserve as much of its independence as possible – but each inevitably went down to defeat. Hungary, of course, was one of the major targets in this power-battle, and her röle as a victim of this conflict has been widely misunderstood. Hungary, The Unwilling Satellite is the first book to present an authentic record of that country's history during the last fifteen years – a history which it is essential for us to know if we still hope to construct a decent, a just peace. Here are the facts not only about Hungary herself, but as they relate to the Balkans and to Middle-Europe as well. Here too are the diplomatic maneuverings of Germany, Russia, Italy, Great Britain, France and the United States – an absorbing narrative.
Hungary, The Unwilling Satellite brings what has been a very confusing picture into sharp and lucid perspective. To it John Montgomery contributes an intimate knowledge of his subject, an objective viewpoint and a deeply American desire to seek out and make known the truth.