The provided chapter in the book „In the labyrinth of hope” written by Király András and translated into English by Gabriel Roman, offers a detailed historical account of the city of Arad, Romania, focusing on the period of transition following World War II and the subsequent establishment of the communist regime. It documents the sweeping political, administrative, and economic changes that occurred, including the rise of the Romanian Workers' Party and the nationalization of industries and institutions. A significant portion of the material analyzes the daily struggles of the city's inhabitants, such as chronic shortages, rampant inflation, inadequate public services (like heating and sanitation), and efforts to restore order. Furthermore, the source provides an extensive overview of the Hungarian minority's organizational efforts through the Hungarian People's Union (MNSZ/UPM), detailing its political maneuvering and eventual subjugation to communist directives. This source thus chronicles Arad's painful shift from post-war disorder toward solidified communist control, highlighting both national policies and their local impact. Free download books in Romanian and English about the history of Arad from the digital library here: https://www.arad.zone/biblioteca-digitala/biblioteca-digitala-copy