A chronicle of wartime experiences in Hungary, published on the fiftieth anniversary of the Iron Curtain's closure, sheds light on a poorly documented history. Hungary's role in World War II was largely obscured by the Communist Party's narrative. Initially allied with Germany against Bolshevism, Hungary faced devastation in 1943 and was later invaded by the Soviets. With the passage of time, the memories of those who lived through this tumultuous period can finally be shared. Cecil Eby has compiled a historical account based on interviews with nearly a hundred individuals who experienced the war firsthand. The narratives include those of officers, common soldiers, Jewish survivors of concentration camps, pilots, and Hungarian prisoners of war. Readers encounter both supporters of the Horthy regime and activists who opposed it, as well as the harrowing siege of Budapest in the winter of 1944-45 through the eyes of ordinary citizens. Many stories featured have never been shared beyond family circles, such as Ilona Joo, who survived in a cellar during fierce battles, and the Merenyi sisters, who journeyed home after being liberated from Bergen-Belsen. Eby also includes a rare interview with a former member of Hungary's fascist Arrow Cross party, offering new insights into its leadership. Through these personal accounts, Eby explores the broader themes of war's tragedy and the impact of individual choices in crises, skillfully
