Hunyadi: The Legend and Reality is a fantastic publication for anyone who wants to know about the life and times a truly astounding hero. Held takes you by the hand and leads into 15th century europe's economic, religeous and political system. You really get a well rounded perspective of what it was like to live in that day. Janos Hunyadi was so prominent a figure of that time that you simply cannot learn about this period without learning about the man himself. The book, while chalk-full of historical fact, is very exciting and entertaining. The story of Janos Hunyadi is an epoch tale that Hollywood has somehow missed. Get this book and read it.

I found this book while doing research for a historical novel on 15th C Eastern Europe. It is clear that the author carefully researched the subject of Janos Hunyadi. He provides numerous references to document his work, so much so that it is difficult not to accept his interpretation of events when they conflict with other historical sources. He is very clear in laying out the complicated history of the region, particularly Hungary in its wars against the Osmanli Turks. He demonstrates very clearly why Janos Hunyadi was known as the "White Knight" to Roman Catholicism. He gives the biography perspective by explaining life at the various levels of society and providing vital statistics like mortality rates. More, he gives feeling to the pictures he paints, e.g., in describing the life of the average peasant or the siege of Belgrade. He uses quotes from contemporary sources to strongly support his own conclusions. I enjoyed this probably more for entertainment than for the richness historical facts; there is certainly nothing lacking in either in this work by Prof. Held. I thank him for introducing me to Hunyadi, the Turkish sultans, King Matthias, and the other key figures of the time and place. I also thank him for making me wonder if I could have survived an average life in those times, let alone face the challenges and threats faced by Janos Hunyadi.