Pursuit Of Freedom: A True Story Of The Enduring Power Of Hope & Dreams [Hardcover]

Susanne M. Reyto (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 31, 2004

Pursuit Of Freedom is a remarkable account of a family's life, beginning with Nazism, followed by Communism in Hungary. A moving personal drama, and an important historical memoir of this turbulent era. Not a chronicle of horrors, but a depiction of hope and triumph and profound gratitude. A celebration of freedom, inspiring readers to turn adversity into strength and success and finding courage for optimism about the future.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A remarkable account of life, beginning with Nazism and Communism. A moving personal drama and important historical memoir." -- Congressman Tom Lantos - United States Congress

"Highly textured, beautifully descriptive, the reader experiences tragedy and human strength through the eyes of a child and her mother." -- Rabbi Joseph Telushkin

From the Inside Flap

Following a dream to freedom....and beyond. Rarely does something so extraordinary come along that it rekindles in us a profound gratitude and pride that we live in a country known as the Land of the Free. This book does just that. Its spirit is liberating and uplifting.

Many today tend to take freedom for granted. But Susanne Reyto and her family do not. Not for a day, not for a minute. This is their story and a living history of a time that needs to be remembered so we can all appreciate what we have now.

First it was the brutal Nazi that trampled freedom into the mud and turned good lives and prosperity into nightmares and persecution. Then came the corrupt Communists with their take-from-the-rich-and-give-to-the-party-faithful mentality, promoting more plunder. Despite the tyranny of the times, the beauty of this book is that it is not a victim’s complaint. It is a look at a troubled past through the eyes of gratitude for the present.

Susanne Reyeto’s recollections are vivid and fascinating. Many are supported by rare government documents that substantiate what some had thought was speculation. You may be shocked at what they describe and baffled at how such things could possibly have occurred.

So much more than a gripping history, this book is a call to honor your dreams, and never give up. Even with all Susanne Reyto has been through, she has a message of hope and healing, and she shares it with us.

The love and gratitude coming from within these pages will expand your thinking and transform your life.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 300 pages
• Publisher: Jet Publishing (August 31, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 094458120X
• ISBN-13: 978-0944581209
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,718,325 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book about Hungarian refugees, June 2, 2006

By 

Julie Zapf "Julz" (Memphis, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pursuit Of Freedom: A True Story Of The Enduring Power Of Hope & Dreams (Hardcover)

This is an excellent true story about a 13 year old girl escaping Hungary in 1957. It portrays the author who was born in 1944 and what her life was like during the tail end of the Nazis and the beginnings of Communisim. The book begins with her mother telling about living under the Nazi rule and it goes back and fouth between the mother and daughter revealing both perspectives of their lives in Hungary and their escape to freedom. It also reveals what life was like for Hungarian refugees in other parts of the world after leaving Hungary.

I highly recommend it for anyone interested in Hungary during the mid-1900's and to read first-hand what life was like for the refugees. It's a very readable and emotional book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A moving true story of human endurance, August 7, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pursuit Of Freedom: A True Story Of The Enduring Power Of Hope & Dreams (Hardcover)

Pursuit Of Freedom: A True Story Of The Enduring Power Of Hope And Dreams is the compelling autobiography of Susanne M. Reyto. She tells of life in Hungary, and the ravages that the nation faced - first from the Nazis, then from the rapacious claims of Communism, which exhorted taking from the people to give to the party. Families were torn apart; respected citizens were ostracized, and author Susanne Reyto had to navigate the treacherous environment to build her own life, and cling to hope amidst darkness all around. A moving true story of human endurance and the will to realize one's dreams.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A moving historical, peronal drama, June 9, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Pursuit Of Freedom: A True Story Of The Enduring Power Of Hope & Dreams (Hardcover)

We must learn from past history to better appreciate what we have today. Freedom is precious and we must preserve it. On the death of President Reagan we are reminded of his statement, "Mr Gorbachev, tear this wall down!" These words helped open the door to freedom for millions of people. This personal journey describes what life without freedom meant and what this family and others had to endure under two oppressive regimes, Nazism and Communism. A must read for young and old; better than a text book.