Andras Torok's Budapest (A Critical Guide)

I came across this little gem in a small bookstore while strolling down Andrassy Ut. in Budapest. It's essentially a loving and learned essay on the city slyly disguised as a guidebook. Of course he's got the requisite walking maps, addresses and practical information, but what he really does is to capture the soul of the city and its denizens, past and present. It's clear that his evocative observations and opinions, laced with wit and candor could only have come from one clever guy who's truly lived the life in Budapest. You'll read every page of this book as though it were a novel.

As a true city-lover, I found this book invaluable. Not only will you learn what it is you're looking at, but why you should care, and what makes it interesting. The friendly narrative style is truly entertaining, and all the recommendations are spot-on. It's full of enlightening sidebars by a variety of cultural figures, including "Directors Picks" for some of the major museums. Other guidebooks to Budapest don't do the city justice, but this is the book I wish I could write about my big-city hometown. I completely empathize with Mr. Torok's passion for Budapest--large cities can be just as nurturing and familiar as a small town, particularly when it's your own. If you love exploring cities, and trying your best to unearth their individual personalities (suspecting that it's impossible, but being driven to at least scratch the surface), this book is a must. My only regret was that I only found this book while I was there and already half-way through my visit.

What better to accompany a visit to Budapest than someone like Andras Torok, a person who knows Budapest inside out, from top to bottom, and then som. Well actually the next best thing is this book, which is just brilliant. As the books back cover blurb goes Torok is a cross between an Egon Ronay and a Samuel Pepys, but this only does him scant justice. The key thing to follow from thise book are the recommended walks - I did them all, they are fantastic, and the book contains stacks of information about what to look at, what to look out for, what to do, eat, drink, listen to and just idly observe.Great job Mr Andras Torok! take my hat off to you Sir!regards,[email protected]

There is no better insiders guidebook to Budapest. This guy simply loves the city. His description of the Szobor Park (statue park where they keep all the old Stalin statues) is worth the price of the book.