Károly Eötvös’s ‘A nagy per, mely ezer éve folyik s még sincs vége’ (The Great Trial, Which Has Been Going On for a Thousand Years and Still Isn't Over) is history that feels urgently present. This second volume zeroes in on the infamous Tiszaeszlár affair of 1882-83, a blood libel case that shook Hungary.

The Story

In a small village, a Christian girl disappears. Almost immediately, rumors fly that the local Jewish community murdered her for a religious ritual. What follows is a legal and social firestorm. Eötvös, writing from his unique perspective as one of the defense attorneys, takes us inside the investigation and the trial. We see how flimsy accusations harden into ‘evidence,’ how public opinion turns into a mob, and how the Jewish defendants fight for their lives and their dignity in a court—and a country—poisoned by suspicion. The narrative follows the tense courtroom strategies, the dramatic witness testimonies (and recantations), and the slow, painful path toward a verdict.

Why You Should Read It

This isn't a cold historical account. Eötvös writes with the fire of someone who was there. You feel his frustration at the absurdity of the charges and his determination for the truth. The book’s power lies in its details: the frightened villagers, the ambitious officials, the resilient families waiting for news. It becomes a gripping character study of a society showing its worst fears and, occasionally, its better angels. The themes are frighteningly familiar—the speed of a lie, the danger of groupthink, and the courage it takes to stand against both. It’s a masterclass in how to write narrative history that keeps you turning pages.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who love true crime with profound historical weight, or anyone interested in the mechanics of injustice and resilience. If you enjoyed books like Devil in the White City for their blend of fact and narrative drive, or the moral complexity of a film like 12 Angry Men, this will captivate you. Be prepared: it’s a heavy story, but Eötvös tells it with such clarity and purpose that it becomes essential reading. A stark reminder that the ‘great trial’ against prejudice is indeed one that never really ends.