Lajos, Thomas Z.. Fallen to Tyranny: from Mauthausen to Gulag.

AuthorHouse. 2012. c115p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-47721-269-1. $23.99. ISBN 978-1-4772-1270-7. $14.95. ebook (Amazon Kindle). B009JCP7Z8. $3.99.

In this publication, Thomas Z. Lajos recounts the tragic and never-before-told personal story of his uncle, Dr. Ivan Lajos (1906-1949), whom he knew while growing up in war-ravaged and Soviet-controlled Hungary. Born in the historic city of Pécs, Dr. Ivan Lajos attended the University of Pécs Law School, from which he graduated with distinction. In 1939, he wrote and published in multiple languages a political tract known as The Grey Book, which became internationally renowned for suggesting that Germany would lose World War II and Hungary should remain neutral. In March 1944, with other prominent Hungarian political figures, Dr. Ivan Lajos was taken by the Germans to the German concentration camp Mauthausen in Austria. Following Germany’s defeat by the Allies, he returned to Hungary, where he remained active politically. As the Iron Curtain descended upon Eastern Europe and Hungary increasingly became controlled by the Soviets, Dr. Ivan Lajos disappeared. Unbeknownst to his family members, Dr. Ivan Lajos was taken, imprisoned, arrested, interrogated, and wrongfully convicted of various crimes by the Soviets. The Soviets deported him to the remote Karlag section of the Gulag in Kazakhstan, where he began to serve a fifteen-year, hard labor sentence but died two years later. In this well-written and professionally-presented book, including photographs, appendices, timelines, bibliographies, and an index, the author personally tells the heartbreaking, gripping, and compelling saga of Dr. Ivan Lajos, one of Hungary’s unknown heroes, who while attempting to free his country from its oppressors, fell victim to two systems of tyranny. Raising many unanswered questions, it will be of significant interest to students, historians, and others. This publication is very highly recommended for many readers and libraries. Review copy. Availability: Amazon, AuthorHouse, Barnes & Noble.com

Shafer, Eileen. Royal Teas with Grace and Style.

With art work and designs by Anna Griffin and photographs by Thom Rouse. Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc.. 2011. c134p. photogs. illus. ISBN 978-1-4349-0467-6. $25.00.

For nearly two centuries, afternoon tea has been a tradition in countries associated with the British Empire. (p. 2) Individuals typically “took” afternoon tea or “low tea” between the hours of 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.. The light meal involved drinking tea and eating a snack consisting of sandwiches, breads, pastries, and cakes. Today teatime continues by means of informal breaks from work (ex. “coffee” breaks) and more formal afternoon teas usually taken in hotels, cafés, and teashops. (p. 10; Wikipedia contributors. "Tea (meal)." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 13 Aug. 2011. Web. 21 Aug. 2011.) In this beautifully- designed and presented book, which is intended for tea enthusiasts, individuals who are interested in hosting an afternoon tea, and those who are invited to tea (p. 5), Shafer, an interior designer, author, lecturer, tour guide, and former proprietor of Royal Tea Impressions, a teashop once located in the historic river towns of St. Charles and Geneva, Illinois (p. 5; back cover), guides readers through a proper afternoon tea fit for royalty. Helping readers prepare for an afternoon tea, which according to the author, requires time, effort, and atmosphere (p. 4), Shafer covers the subject in thirteen chapters, setting forth information about tea history, tea varieties, brewing tea, planning teas, invitations, menus, courses, appropriate venues, table settings, customs, manners, and recipes. While the first half of her book addresses preparations, the second part presents more than 50 recipes for tea savories (i.e. tea sandwiches), tea breads, tea cakes, and beverages. Here you will find step- by- step instructions for making traditional and non- traditional teatime fare, not limited to cucumber, salmon, ham, and egg salad sandwiches as well as scones, clotted cream, lemon curd, English shortbread, chocolate strawberries, lemon drop cookies, raspberry jam cookies, chocolate lady fingers, English trifle, chocolate pound cake, two tone cheese cake, fresh flower cake, liquid sugar, black ice tea, fruit sparkler, and citrus wine cooler. Filled with interesting and useful background information, advice, tips, quotes by famous authors and poets, recipes, and much more, this book will assist in enabling you to host a formal afternoon tea “fit for a queen” (p. 4), with the confidence, “grace,” and “style” that you will need to be successful. Artwork and engraved designs by Anna Griffin, with more than thirty color photographs by award- winning photographer, Thom Rouse (Professional Photographers of America Master of Photography degree; Master of Electronic Imaging degree, Master Craftsman degree; recipient of Diamond, Platinum, and Gold Photographer of the Year Awards, PPA; recipient, Illinois Photographer of the Year), further instruct and delight. Of interest to tea lovers, tea aficionados, and others, this book is recommended for many public libraries, even though it lacks a selected bibliography, back- of- the book index, glossary, and appendices, all of which would have been helpful to many readers. On a personal note: If you never have experienced a formal afternoon tea, I highly encourage you to do so. Your memories of afternoon tea will last a lifetime. Teas make great gifts and are excellent ways to celebrate the achievements of individuals or commemorate special occasions such as birthdays, engagements, weddings, graduations, anniversaries, and retirements. Many hotels and cultural institutions in the United States and Europe offer teas. For a list of hotels and institutions worldwide serving tea, try this Internet resource: Tea Guide. Always telephone in advance to verify locations, times, and other pertinent information. Reservations and appropriate attire may be required. Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit Dorrance Bookstore to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team. Availability: Amazon, Dorrance Bookstore

Gazdig, Joan. The Kingdom of Hungary (‘Ten Arrows’ United Military Strength): the Beautiful Mistress.

Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc.. 2009. c.136p. illus.
ISBN 978-0-8059-7758-5. $21.00.

Generously- illustrated with many photographs and other reproductions (thirteen black-and-white and eighty-six color), this brief publication by Gazdig, a family genealogist, retired legal secretary, and Hungarian- North American, whose father, uncle, and their two cousins immigrated to “the new world,” (p. 2) provides an overview of Hungarian history and heritage. In fifty-one, very short chapters that average two pages in length, the author covers diverse subjects, not limited to her family’s ancestry, Hungarian history, Hungary’s kings and queens, soldiers, statesmen, liberators, famous buildings, monuments, composers, painters, wines, foods, customs, dogs, and more. While this book may serve as an introductory guide, it lacks the comprehensiveness and depth of coverage that are found in general reference resources. Also, the author uses her text as a means for arguing that Hungarian lands and cultural artifacts that were lost during and after various wars should be restored to the “kingdom” of Hungary, as it originally came to be established as early as 896 C.E.. Devoting the first three chapters of her publication to family matters, Gazdig sets forth how her family’s history fits into her approach. According to the author, her father, uncle, and their cousins immigrated when their land was dismembered by the signing of the Treaty of Trianon (June 4, 1920) in Paris after World War I. (p. 2) Gazdig prepared her text “out of respect” for her father and his desire to re-live his past and introduce his children to his ancestors as well as to “help others to re-live their heritage.” (pp. ix-x) Lacking scholarly documentation such as footnotes, an index, and a selected bibliography, but including a “Dates to Remember” timeline as well as excerpted addresses by statesmen and a message delivered by Pope John Paul II (b. May 18, 1920- d. April 2, 2005) to the Hungarian nation in August 2000, this book will best suit readers who may have some prior knowledge of Hungary, its cultures, heritage, history, peoples, and more. Sufficiently well- illustrated and thoughtfully- conceived, but not authoritative, it is recommended as an additional, supplementary resource for some large, public and special libraries serving the needs of immigrants, ethnic groups, genealogists, and others. Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team. Availability: Dorrancebookstore.com