The siege of Eger in 1552 was an astonishing event. A small Hungarian garrison
commanded by István Dobó successfully resisted a huge Turkish army for nearly
six weeks and forged it to retreat in disgrace. Dobó became a celebrated hero.
But little is known of his brilliant explosives expert, Gergely Bornemissza,
whose ingenious devices demoralized the Turks. It is his story that Géza
Gárdonyi tells in Eclipse of the Crescent Moon, an exciting tale of chivalry and
love, adventures and disasters, heroes and villains, culminating in the siege
itself. Gárdonyi's story, a convincing blend of history and fiction, has become
a Hungarian literary classic and a firm favourite with adults and children
alike.