The Greatest Hungarian, Jewish "Nonfiction" Books of All Time

Click to learn how this list is calculated.

This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 305 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

Filter by: Genres Dates Countries
Follow on:

Genres

Nonfiction

Add additional genre filters

Countries

Hungarian

Jewish

Add additional country filters

Date Range

Filter

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download
  1. 1. The Hebrew Bible by Jewish scripture

    This book is a comprehensive collection of Jewish scriptures, also known as the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, which is divided into three sections: the Torah (Pentateuch), the Nevi'im (Prophets), and the Ketuvim (Writings). It includes historical accounts, laws, ethical guidelines, songs, prayers, wisdom literature, and prophecies, providing the religious, moral, and social foundations for Judaism and, by extension, Christianity and Islam. The book is considered sacred and authoritative by Jews worldwide.

    The 2152nd Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. Hannah Senesh by Hannah Senesh

    This book is a collection of the diaries, letters, and poems of a young Jewish woman who emigrated from Hungary to Palestine in the 1930s, driven by her Zionist beliefs. She joined the Haganah and later volunteered for a daring military operation to parachute into Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II, with the aim of aiding Allied forces and rescuing Hungarian Jews from the Holocaust. Her writings reflect her courage, literary talent, and the depth of her commitment to her cause. Tragically captured, tortured, and eventually executed by the Nazis, she became an enduring symbol of bravery and sacrifice in the face of tyranny.

    The 3462nd Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 3. A Journey Round My Skull by Frigyes Karinthy

    "A Journey Round My Skull" is a deeply personal narrative that takes the reader through the author's own experiences with a brain tumor and the subsequent neurosurgery. Written with a blend of humor, introspection, and medical detail, the book explores the author's changing perceptions and emotions as he confronts his mortality and the intricacies of his own mind. It is a pioneering work in the genre of medical memoirs, offering a unique window into the psychological and physical journey of a patient in the early 20th century, as well as the evolving field of neurosurgery.

    The 4465th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. Bezzeg Az én Időmben by Klára Fehér

    "Bezzeg Az én Időmben" is a reflective work that delves into the generational differences and societal changes in Hungary, offering a nostalgic look at the past through the lens of personal anecdotes and cultural observations. The book contrasts contemporary life with the experiences of previous generations, exploring themes of family, education, and social norms. It serves as a commentary on the evolution of Hungarian society, inviting readers to consider the implications of progress and the value of tradition in a rapidly changing world.

    The 4471st Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. The Confessions Of A Haut Bourgeois by Sándor Márai

    "The Confessions of a Haut Bourgeois" is a memoir that delves into the life and reflections of a man born into the Hungarian upper middle class at the turn of the 20th century. The narrative explores the author's formative years, education, and experiences that shaped his worldview, set against the backdrop of a fading Austro-Hungarian Empire and the tumultuous changes sweeping through Europe. It is a poignant examination of the cultural and social mores of the time, as well as a personal reckoning with the loss of the author's own privileged world and the search for identity in a society undergoing profound transformation.

    The 4482nd Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. My Happy Days In Hell by György Faludy

    The book is an autobiographical account of a Hungarian poet's life during the mid-20th century, chronicling his experiences from his carefree youth through the rise of fascism and his subsequent imprisonment in a brutal labor camp. It is a tale of intellectual passion, political upheaval, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of totalitarianism. The narrative captures the author's journey through a Europe ravaged by war and political strife, his encounters with notable literary figures, and his unyielding commitment to his beliefs and to poetry, even as he endures the hardships and absurdities of a communist regime.

    The 4487th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. I Have Lived a Thousand Years by Livia Bitton-Jackson

    This memoir tells the harrowing story of a 13-year-old Jewish girl's survival during the Holocaust. The narrative follows her life from her quiet existence in Hungary through the horrors of Auschwitz and other concentration camps, and finally to her liberation and the struggle to rebuild her life in the aftermath of such trauma. The memoir is a powerful testament to human resilience and the will to survive against all odds.

    The 4773rd Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 8. The Guide for the Perplexed by Moses Maimonides

    This philosophical work serves as a guide for people who are perplexed by apparent contradictions between the teachings of religion and the discoveries of science. It seeks to reconcile the philosophy of Aristotle with the teachings of Judaism, arguing that the two are not in conflict but rather complement each other. The book also discusses the nature of God, the creation of the world, and the principles of morality, offering a comprehensive exploration of faith, reason, and the complexities of human understanding.

    The 8235th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 9. Allegorical Expositions of the Holy Laws by Philo of Alexandria

    This book is a comprehensive examination of the Jewish laws as interpreted through the lens of Hellenistic philosophy. The author uses allegory to explain the significance and deeper meanings behind these laws, drawing on both Jewish and Greek philosophical traditions. The text serves as an exploration of morality, ethics, and religious observance, offering readers a unique perspective on Jewish law and its intersection with broader philosophical concepts.

    The 8235th Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download