Ladislas Farago
Ladislas Farago was born on September 21st, 1906. Ladislas passed away October 15th, 1980 at 74 years old. Ladislas Farago was born in Csurgo, Austria-Hungary.
Ladislas Faragó was a Hungarian-born military historian, journalist, and author. He became well known for his best-selling works on history and espionage, especially those centered on World War II. After moving to the United States, he worked extensively as a writer and also served as an intelligence analyst for the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Faragó’s book
Strictly from Hungary offers a lively and nostalgic look at Hungary’s past.
Published in 1962, this book marks a departure from Faragó’s better-known military histories, such as
Patton: Ordeal and Triumph and
The Broken Seal, which inspired the films
Patton (1970) and
Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970). Instead of focusing on war and espionage, Faragó turns inward, revisiting the Hungary of his youth with affection, wit, and a touch of melancholy.
The stories he tells are filled with flamboyant characters, absurd situations, and paint Budapest as a city bursting with intrigue and eccentricity. He remembers fellow journalists like Arpad Vas. Vas once staged a seduction using his own wife just to land a sensational story. He also recalls relatives such as Uncle Gyula, whose schemes were equally chaotic.
Gyula once shipped trainloads of Hungarian turkeys to Britain. But he failed to arrange their delivery, causing a blunder that sparked an international scandal so big that it even drew in Scotland Yard. These tales capture both the charm and chaos of pre-war Hungarian life.
Faragó also explores broader cultural themes, from the peculiarities of the Hungarian language to the country’s unusual military traditions. One particularly striking episode recounts his own surreal induction into a “non-existent” army, an experience that feels straight out of Franz Kafka and mirrors the absurdities Hungarians faced under restrictive regimes. His reflections remind readers of the tension between Hungary’s vibrant cultural spirit and the often-oppressive political realities of the 20th century.
Published just six years after the failed Hungarian Revolution of 1956,
Strictly from Hungary carries an undercurrent of longing for a time before Soviet rule, when Budapest was alive with laughter, risk, and passion. Later editions deepen this perspective through the foreword by Faragó’s son, John, who recounts a 1975 visit to Budapest where he saw firsthand how the city’s once-vivid energy had been muted by socialism. This generational reflection gives the book added poignancy, making its humor feel at once celebratory and bittersweet.
Ultimately,
Strictly from Hungary is more than just a collection of amusing anecdotes. It is a tribute to Hungary’s resilience and a reminder of how humor and nostalgia can preserve the memory of a culture even in the face of hardship. Both playful and reflective, it remains a distinctive and uniquely Hungarian work.
Ladislas Farago: Lists & Other Mentions
- The Game of the Foxes was a New York Times: #1 Nonfiction Best Seller in 1972.
Ladislas Farago: F.A.Q
When was Ladislas Farago Born?
Ladislas Farago was born on September 21st, 1906.
When did Ladislas Farago die?
Ladislas Farago died on October 15th, 1980 at 74 years old.
Where was Ladislas Farago Born?
Ladislas Farago was born in Csurgo, Austria-Hungary.
What was the first book Ladislas Farago wrote?
The first book written by Ladislas Farago was Patton, published in 1963.
What was the most recent book Ladislas Farago wrote?
His most recently released work was Strictly from Hungary on December 6th, 2004.
How many books has Ladislas Farago written?
Ladislas Farago has written 10 books. All of his books are Non-Fiction Books.