Julius Tomsits

Gyuszika: Promises Kept Julius Tomsits Revised edition

Set in an area once known as Europe's 'powder keg,' Gyuszika Promises Kept, the true story of Julius Tomsits, covers the period from the Hapsburg Empire through the Hungarian Monarchy, German occupation, and Russian domination, until the Hungarian Uprising and Mr. Tomsit's escape to the West in 1956. But Gyuszika Promises Kept is more than a story of a life. It is a testament to the bond between mother and son, forged by an irascible father, and to the selfless giving and the unquestioning faith, which instill the values of self-worth and responsibility. These are the qualities that sustain Julius Tomsits as he struggled to endure the ordeal of German occupation, the horror of combat, the austerity of Russian imprisonment and hard labor as a miner, and the following repressive life in communist-dominated Hungary. It is a true story of love and hate, told with humor and passion and documentary directness. It is most of all a gift - a thanksgiving - and as such, has universal appeal. The story has been divided into five sections of three chapters each. Sausages and Turs contains Chapters 1 through 3 and covers the optimistic early years (1921-1944) of Julius' Hungarian childhood, schooling at art and culinary schools, and first position as chef. The bond between Julius and his mother is firmly established and the religious nature of his upbringing, highlighted, as well as his less than happy relationship with his father, who suffered from alcoholism. The section likewise documents his talents as an artist and chef, talents that were to serve him well in the coming struggle. Pork Cracklings, Goulash and Grass, Chapters 4 through 6, deals with Julius' experience in combat during World War II and his subsequent capture by the Russians (1944-1945). As a cook in the Hungarian Army, Julius was assigned as cook to a recognizance unit focused on a border dispute with Romania. When the Germans occupied Hungary, the Russians entered the battle and drove the Hungarians and Julius a