This book explores the political legacy of Hungary’s 1989 democratic transition and the rise of Viktor Orbán’s strong-state politics. It argues that narratives of historical loss, national grievance, and exceptionalism have shaped Hungary’s turn away from liberalism, despite early expectations of democratic consolidation. Drawing on popular political narratives, school textbooks, and public history, the book shows how interpretations of the past have informed contemporary political culture and contributed to the emergence of illiberalism in Hungary. By examining how narratives of defeat and renewal played a central role in reshaping the relationship between state, nation, and democracy in contemporary Hungary, the book also resonates with broader political developments in Europe and the United States.