The Biggest Hole in the Iron Curtain

The “Biggest Hole “ in the iron curtain , the Batizy Story, is a compelling family biography that chronicles the life of a gifted surgeon, who had to endure repression imposed by the Hungarian Communist Government. His only sin was being born into a wealthy aristocratic family.

The effects of living under a totalitarian system of government like communism is as relevant today as it was during the “cold war”. For those who were subjugated to the oppressive and brutal treatment of communism, the prospect of a better tomorrow seemed unobtainable. For Dr. Gusztav Batizy the events of the 1956 Hungarian revolution was “life changing”. His willingness to fully engage in the revolution placed him and his family in further danger. When the Russian troops invaded Hungary to suppress the revolution the only choice left was to escape to the west.

During his escape to seek help for the revolution he cheated death, but failed in his quest to get help from the western nations. Knowing that without help from the west the revolution was certain to fail, Dr Batizy had a choice to make; Stay in the safety of Austria or return for his family. His life in danger again ,Dr Batizy returned to Hungary for his family. As the revolution was winding down and the communist government regained control, Dr Batizy, his new wife, and 11 children, made another daring escape.

The author, one of the eleven children, returns with his son to his homeland to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian revolt. It is through this lens that he recounts his childhood as the family endures the revolution, the escape, the refugee camps and the arrival to their new home in the US. He gives the reader a glimpse into the struggles and hardships that this hybrid refugee family endured as they tried to assimilate into the American way of life.

The family moves from the east coast to the Midwest , to the deep south, and eventually settles in North East Ohio. Their love affair with swimming earns them the title of the “World’s Swimmingest Family”. After years of sacrifice for his family, Dr Batizy dies shortly after the author returns home from his long awaited trip to his homeland . The challenge to maintain family unity with the passing of the elders now falls on the shoulders of the author and his siblings .

At the end of the book each family member of the Batizy children (now adults) recount their story in their quest to achieve the American dream. All 1st generation refugees and immigrants can attest to the hardships and sadness as a result of leaving behind ones homeland, and the joys of arriving in a new country. The book is brutally honest in pointing out the failure and successes of this fascinating family journey.