The process of reporting this book often felt like running an international business, and my first thank-you has to go to Vera Rónai, my indefatigable interpreter, who found me an apartment in Budapest, held down the fort while I was in New York, and helped coordinate countless interviews and, most important, successfully negotiate a path through the Hungarian police, court, and prison systems.
Several other interpreters and translators were also enlisted over the course of the project, including Vill
Korányi, Drew Leifheit, Katalin Tóth, and David Simon in Budapest; the Romanian- and Hungarian-speaking Adél Hodor in Transylvania; Anna Szalai, Norbert Puskás, and Mária Mazei stateside. During the five weeks I spent examining court files and police reports at the Supreme Court building in Budapest, I was flanked by both Vera and another patient interpreter, Anna Hives.
From the first day I met Attila Ambrus at the Budapest Metropolitan Courthouse in December 2000, he was incredibly forthcoming. He opened up his life to me and responded to every inquiry and cross-examination with what (upon further investigation) always proved to be earnestness and honesty. Over the twelve full days I spent with him in the prison, he earned my respect and my sincerest hope that he can make it out and get another chance to use his many talents for good ends. Plus, I’d love to have a drink with him.
Lajos Varjú also spent significant time with me despite his busy schedule and the fact that this story is not exactly his favorite topic. He is a fine person who never let me leave his home sober and who, despite the way his story played out in Hungary, was (like Attila) a decent man doing his best under trying circumstances.
Literally dozens of others graciously accepted me into their lives and often their homes during my reporting. Those who deserve special thanks include Jen “Bubu” Salamon (who personally showed me around Csíkszereda), Gabi Orbán, George Orbán, Klára Orbán, Zsuzsa Hamer, Péter Bárándy, János Egri, and the lovely Éva Fodor. At UTE, George Pék, Gustáv Bóta, Zsolt Baróti, Kriztián Nádor, and Attila Tolnai were always helpful. In Csíkszereda, László and Margit Szabó and László Veres overcame their fear and trusted me. From the police, Valter Fülöp and Zsolt Bérdi were generous with their time, and even József Keszthelyi usually put up with me. Many others I would like to mention asked that their names not be used, but I want them to know how appreciated their contributions to this work are.
I was lucky to have my understanding of Central Europe in general, and Hungary in particular, augmented by a number of excellent Hungarian journalists and writers, including József Jónás, László Bartus, Gergely Fahidi, János Elek, Balázs Weyer (whom I still owe dinner), Endre Aczél, Ern Kardos, Tivadar Farkasházy, and László Neményi. In Transylvania, Robbie Sz
szer, Zoltán Szondy, and László Kürti. Ferenc Köszeg of the Helsinki Foundation, Sándor Orbán of the Center for Independent Journalism, and the excellent essayist and novelist George Konrád were generous with their time and contacts. Marian Perkin offered warmth and hospitality in Budapest.
Back in New York, I am blessed to have the best collection of friends and supporters around, without whom I couldn’t have completed this book. I should start with Virginia Heffernan, then at Talk magazine, who was the first person to believe in this strange story. Phoebe Eaton, then at Details, ultimately sent me to Hungary and, along with Dan Peres, saw the magazine piece through to publication. David Mizner helped persuade me not to pass up the chance to do this as a book. Vanessa Mobley, Alex Sherwin, and Jack Wright were also early believers.
The following talented people offered help and/or insightful comments on the manuscript: Nina Siegal, Elizabeth Kadetsky, Dale Maharidge, Edward Lewine, Francesco Fiondella, Donnell Alexander, Jack Murnigan, Jesse Upton, Nick Fowler, Lisa Pollard, Boris Fishman, Pete Wells, Jeff Howe, Hillary Rosner, Jenn Leitzes, Maya Nadkarni, Jozsi Litkei, David Davis, and Kostya Kennedy. All of my compatriots at the New Real (particularly Celia Farber and Steve Kettmann) were, as always, important and inspiring advisers.
At Little, Brown, my excellent editor, Geoff Shandler, saw and understood the potential of this story from the outset; his skillful pencil and calming demeanor not only made the text better but made the whole experience better. Liz Nagle also offered helpful suggestions to the manuscript and quick-response answers to any question or need I had. Sándor Szatmári, the Hungarian legend, was a wise and spirited lunch date. Steve Lamont was there when I really needed him. And Michael Pietsch’s support and encouragement were invaluable.
I am also grateful to the Dick Goldensohn Fund for offering me a grant that helped ease the financial burden of reporting an overseas story. And I would like to thank the New York City Public Library, where some of this book was written.
I couldn’t have done this without the support of my parents, who encouraged me to take on the project even though it took me far away from home for chunks of time while my father was ill. And lastly, the biggest thank-you goes to the smartest and best literary agent around, Lisa Hyman, my wife, whose commitment, support, and superb editing are evident on virtually every page.