The Magic Lantern - Book Report/Review Example

The Magic Lantern: the Revolution of 89 Witnessed In Warsaw, Budapest, Berlin, and Prague The book d TheMagic Lantern: the Revolution of 89 Witnessed In Warsaw, Budapest, Berlin, and Prague authored by Timothy Ash is an intriguing text that describes significant historic moments that occurred in Eastern Europe before 1989. The author of the book gives a first person witness because he was present during most of the events recorded in his book. Notably, Ash had formed a relationship with east central Europe and made a point of visiting the countries frequently. His frequent visits allowed him to witness some of the critical moments that marked the end of communism in that region. The narration of Ash is outstanding because he captures the attention of the reader through vivid descriptions and well-chosen words that describe each event that he writes. Unlike other authors who have focused on this subject, Timothy Ash relates a first person narration as a reliable historical witness. This makes his book a primary source, whereas other books touching on the same events are secondary sources. This explains why the book is a powerful record of significant events that saw the termination of communism and its negative effects in east central Europe. A close analysis of Ash’s work introduces the reader to some of the historical events that occurred in east central Europe and more specifically the revolutions of 1989. The author integrates his narration with an intellectual and emotional approach that serves to appeal to different readers. Notably, the author’s attention to details becomes evident throughout the book, making the readers develop a connection with the events he describes. This paper will present an analysis of the book highlighting Ash’s point of view and giving attention to the historical context of the book. The title of the book introduces the reader to the main topic discussed in the book. “The Magic Lantern” was a name given to a theatre in Prague. This theatre was of critical importance in European history because it marked the meeting point for reformers and revolutionaries who held meetings to discuss how they could do away with the communist regime. The author’s choice of title proves to be very effective because the entire book focuses on how different countries in east central Europe did away with communism (Garton 16). This places emphasis on the use of the magic lantern in the title as a metaphor for the termination of communism. The book has seven chapters, each dedicated to events in a certain country or a certain period in history. The language used by the author reveals that he was against the communist era that had remained dominant in east central Europe. The first four chapters discuss the revolutions, which Ash called “refolutions” in Poland, Hungary, East Germany, and Czechoslovakia. These four chapters form the bulk of the book because the author dedicates them to describing how eastern European states manage to overcome the dominant soviet oppression. In the first chapter titled Witness and History, the author presents the reader with an intense narration of his personal experiences in Poland. In this narration, Ash gives attention to all the details involved in the negotiation of terminating communism in Poland. More specifically, Ash gives descriptions of the emergence of Solidarity, which was a critical aspect in terminating communism. In the same chapter, the reader becomes familiar with the round table talks that occurred between the government officials and Solidarity representatives, and whose significance in negotiating the ends of communism is evident (144). The reader becomes easily connected to the events occurring in Poland because the author relates all the emotions experienced by the people as well as himself throughout the negotiation process. He makes the adverse effects of communism evident to the reader. He also demonstrates that the termination of communism brought about numerous positive changes to the people. Although he highlights that, he was present as an independent observer, his speeches highlight that he was not in support of communism. In the second chapter of the book titled Warsaw: The First Election the author presents a critical evaluation of the events that defined that first election in Poland. He helps the reader gain familiarity with the ongoing campaigns in Poland before the elections as well as the outcomes of those elections. The author makes it evident that the people were in support of Solidarity candidates while the communist party coalition received minimal support. In order to enrich his narration, Ash presents a description of the emotions that define the election period. He reveals that many of the people exhibited enthusiasm in high degrees and were willing to go and vote. He supports this by use of anecdotes that make his readers more connected to the events. According to Ash, Solidarity leaders won the elections in Poland and had the privilege to take over the government. Although Ash makes it evident that this transition resulted in high levels of positivism from the people, he is keen to highlight that the Solidarity leaders faced numerous challenges because the party was initiated as a trade union. This means that the leaders had to struggle with numerous challenges in adopting the most effective form of organization as well as policy development. The leaders focused on adopting democracy, which would replace the authoritarian leadership exhibited by the head of the Solidarity party. This chapter also reveals that the transition to democracy was not an easy course, because the economy suffered in the process. The detailed narration of events in this chapter is what makes readers gain familiarity with the events that transpired in Poland during the first elections (40). The third chapter titled Budapest: The Last Funeral focuses on describing how communism ended in Hungary. Ash presents details of the Hungarian struggle against the Soviet domination since 1956. The events of 1956 were highly influential in what transpired in 1988 when Hungary would do away with communism completely. The struggle against communism led to the formation of the Hungarian republic formed by both communist and elected representatives. Ash presents a detailed narration of how Hungary became a multiparty state even before adopting democracy. Worth noting is the fact that the author presents a logical description of the democratic movements occurring in this country, making the reader to become familiar with the chronological order of events. In the next chapter, the author describes how the Berlin wall would eventually become dismantled. Unlike other authors who have given focus to the melodrama that defined this event, Ash opts to present the reader with a chronological order of events highlighting the actions by many people in Berlin. The author also gives attention to his experiences in Prague. In this specific location, Ash became a witness of how an opposition movement was formed in Prague. Similar to other countries, Prague was determined to do away with communism. The author also tackles the “refolution” in Czechoslovakia and the struggles involved (55). Author’s Point of View Without doubt, Timothy Ash gave attention to the events that transpired in east central European countries in their struggle against communism. As the author describes, the details and emotions that defined the struggle against communism, he maintains an optimistic approach. A close analysis of the text reveals that the author was against communism and its negative effects in these countries. Throughout the book, the author reveals that the people suffered under communism. When the people managed to conquer communist powers, they experienced positive changes. The author’s narration is highly subjective because he reveals his opinion as well as attitude towards the events that he describes in different chapters. Ash seems to have the conviction that the people would overcome communism if they were united, and remained hopeful. Throughout his narration, Ash also reveals his conclusion about the transformation of European history by the “refolutions”. He relates past events with what was happening in 1989 creating patterns of people’s struggles against the dominating soviet government. His outstanding opinion is the fact that the social Solidarity of the people had a better place and would determine the future of the region (170). Historical Context of the Book The book is a critical text that brings into focus the struggles of east central European countries, specifically Poland, Hungary, East Germany, and Czechoslovakia. The historical events described in the book helped the reader connect with the uprising of the Soviet Union and its control over different European states. Ash comes in to describe how these four countries managed to overcome the communist government as well as oppression associated with it. The author takes the reader through events from the 1950s to 1989 when communism in these countries completely ended. Timothy Ash’s text is of critical significance in helping historians understand the struggles of East Central European states against communism (50). The author makes the readers recognize that the end of communism signified better days for these countries. What one might learn from Reading the Book Anybody reading Timothy Ash’s text will get a glimpse of the historical events that led to the formation of a stable central Europe. More specifically, a reader gains familiarity with the revolution of 1989 as it happened in Warsaw, Budapest, Berlin, as well as Prague. These events help readers understand the transition from communism to Solidarity in east central Europe. With the emphasis given to communism in other historical books and its adverse effects, this detailed narration gives readers an opportunity to understand how the four countries overcame the communist government. Work Cited Garton, Ash T. The Magic Lantern: The Revolution of 89 Witnessed in Warsaw, Budapest, Berlin and Prague. New York: Atlantic Books Ltd, 2014. Internet resource. Read More