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For the Children
For the Children is a narrative memoir that tells the true story of the author’s family's escape from Hungary and immigration to Canada in 1956, told from the viewpoint of the seven year old child he was at the time. After numerous attempts to flee from a revolution torn Stalinist Hungary ending in capture and disappointment, the author’s parents’ pursuit to give their children a better life finally bears success as they walk to freedom across a well guarded and mine strewn border. This is a gripping tale of bravery and the will to survive, the sometimes heart-breaking struggle for freedom, and the wonder and difficulties inherent in starting a life in a new country.
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
204 pages, Paperback
First published May 28, 2015
About the author
Geza Tatrallyay
19 books291 followersBorn in Budapest, Hungary, Geza escaped with his family in 1956 during the Hungarian Revolution, emigrating to Canada the same year. He grew up in Toronto, attending the University of Toronto Schools, where he was School Captain. He graduated from Harvard University with a BA in Human Ecology in 1972 (after taking a break in his studies to work as a host in the Ontario Pavilion at Expo’70 in Osaka, Japan). Geza was selected as a Rhodes Scholar from Ontario, attending Oxford University and graduating with a BA/MA in Human Sciences in 1974; he completed his studies with a MSc in Economics from London School of Economics and Politics in 1975. Geza represented Canada as an epée fencer in the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.
Geza’s professional experience has included stints in government (Department of Finance, Canada), international organizations (Inter-American Development Bank), commercial / investment banking (Royal Bank of Canada), private equity (MAVA Capital in Hungary) and environmental entrepreneurship (Vertis Environmental Finance). Since 2004, he has been semi-retired, advising a few firms mainly in the clean energy sector and devoting himself to his family, travel and writing. Geza is a citizen of Canada and Hungary, with an American wife, a daughter living in San Francisco and a son in Nairobi, and currently divides his time between San Francisco and Barnard, Vermont, with frequent visits to Montreal, Toronto, New York, Vienna and London.
Geza’s professional experience has included stints in government (Department of Finance, Canada), international organizations (Inter-American Development Bank), commercial / investment banking (Royal Bank of Canada), private equity (MAVA Capital in Hungary) and environmental entrepreneurship (Vertis Environmental Finance). Since 2004, he has been semi-retired, advising a few firms mainly in the clean energy sector and devoting himself to his family, travel and writing. Geza is a citizen of Canada and Hungary, with an American wife, a daughter living in San Francisco and a son in Nairobi, and currently divides his time between San Francisco and Barnard, Vermont, with frequent visits to Montreal, Toronto, New York, Vienna and London.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 12, 2016
An illuminating story of the difficulties of the author's family trying to escape from behind the Iron Curtain and make their way to North America.
Written in a forthright manner, and very much written as a family history., the book follows the family through all thee heartaches of leaving, the tensions of the waiting and the difficulties they encountered on their escape.
Written in a forthright manner, and very much written as a family history., the book follows the family through all thee heartaches of leaving, the tensions of the waiting and the difficulties they encountered on their escape.
October 19, 2021
'For the Children: A Cold War Escape' by Geza Tatrallyay is a beautiful narrative that tells us the true story of the author's family's escape from Hungary and immigration to Canada.
The author has made a beautiful approach of depicting his own story through the eyes of a 7-year-old child, Geza, with his parents just in sixteen chapters.
This is a gripping tale of bravery, disappointments, sacrifices, the will to survive, the sometimes heart-breaking struggle for freedom, and the inherent wonder and difficulties in starting a life in a new country.
The Simple and lucid language of the book, and that which readers of any age could easily understand.
‘For the Children: A Cold War Escape’ is a remarkable actual storybook and recommended to read!
The author has made a beautiful approach of depicting his own story through the eyes of a 7-year-old child, Geza, with his parents just in sixteen chapters.
This is a gripping tale of bravery, disappointments, sacrifices, the will to survive, the sometimes heart-breaking struggle for freedom, and the inherent wonder and difficulties in starting a life in a new country.
The Simple and lucid language of the book, and that which readers of any age could easily understand.
‘For the Children: A Cold War Escape’ is a remarkable actual storybook and recommended to read!
November 15, 2015
I found the book compelling and informative. It's not the best bedtime book because it is rather tense and exciting!
June 16, 2021
Geza Tatrallyay's For the Children is a remarkable true story of how his family escaped from Soviet-controlled Hungary. His story is depicted through the eyes of 7 year old Geza, who simultaneously shows the innocence of a child and the knowledge of someone who has grown faster than his age. This story kept me on edge every time they had to turn back before making it to freedom. The words expressed well the frustration of being so close and still so far. This memoir depicts the strength and determination of a family fighting for their freedom and will keep any nonfiction reader's interest.
June 6, 2019
This was an interesting read to me. My parents both escaped Hungary during the 1956 Revolution, I am first generation Canadian and it was interesting to read about someone else's experience.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews