Hungary; Ajak; Kisvarda; Budapest; Red Army; KGB; Russian labour camp; Arrow Cross; Cegled, Hungarian city; Ploesti, Romanian city; Kursk; Kiev; Debrecen; Tata; Austria; Andau; Montreal, Canada.

Author is born on February 18, 1924 in Ajak, a small Hungarian village. Gives summary account of modern Hungarian history, and a genealogy of both parentsÕ families. Describes early education and boyhood friendships in Kisvarda. Family moves to Budapest in 1937. Employed in a shoe manufacturing factory. Relates troubled relationship with father. Hungarian government orders all males to participate in para-military units. Author works in a volunteer fire brigade. Describes living conditions in 1944, and tells of his induction into labour camp. With entry of the Red Army, he and friends escape and he assumes a new identity. Arrested by the Red Army and sent to labour camp. Describes transport to Ploesti in Romania and the conditions he meets there, including an account of work in a limestone quarry. Later works on construction projects. Describes an interrogation with the KGB and treatment from Russian officers. Detailed description of his personal health and the care shown by female Russian doctor. Spends two years in Russian camps and is released in June, 1947. Returns to Budapest and learns the fate of his family. Describes the post-war conditions and is reunited with family. Resumes his education and becomes supervisor of leather shoe-making factory and an administrator of technical societies. Meets his future wife whom he marries and they have a son. Account of the 1956 Hungarian uprising and plans for escaping to Austria and the West. Meets with difficulties but ultimately reaches Austria. Describes the conditions of the Austrian refugee camps. Receives visa to Canada and emigrates to Montreal. Gives a full description of refugee adjustment to Canada, including employment and housing difficulties. Tells the story of family development and personal advance and of the friendships he encountered. Concludes with literary acknowledgement to family and friends.