In this biography episode from In the Mainstream of the XX Century – Living History, Béla Török continues his family story with two deeply personal chapters: “My Father and His Family” and “My Mother and Her Family.”

These chapters trace the lives, fortunes, and character of two remarkable Hungarian families shaped by education, war, social change, and tradition. From Szeged’s rowing clubs and courtrooms to noble estates, universities, and the upheavals of the First World War, we hear how everyday life, personal responsibility, and family memory endured through extraordinary times.

Through memoirs written late in life, we learn about ambition and hardship, loyalty and loss, and the quiet moments that define a family’s place in history. This is not a political account, but a human one — grounded in lived experience, preserved stories, and the passing of memory from one generation to the next.

This episode follows the earlier chapters “The Foreword” and “My First Memories,” and continues the journey through a family shaped by the mainstream of the twentieth century.

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And stay tuned for the next two chapters:

“My Student Years” and “University Years.”

IN THE MAINSTREAM OF THE XX CENTURYLiving History Török Béla

This episode begins our audio journey through The Török Family Memoirs, a personal and deeply thoughtful work written by Béla Török. His intention was simple yet powerful: to preserve the memories, values, and experiences that shaped his life so future generations would understand where they came from. Told with a gentle, audiobook-style narration, this episode brings those early pages to life with warmth and emotional depth.

We open with the Foreword, where Béla explains why he felt compelled to write his memoirs. He reflects on the importance of memory, the responsibility of passing down family history, and the desire to leave a meaningful record for his children and grandchildren. This section sets the tone for the entire memoir, offering insight into Béla’s quiet strength, humility, and deep appreciation for the people and places that shaped him.

The episode then explores Chapter One: My First Memories. Here, Béla takes us back to his earliest childhood impressions, describing the world as he first experienced it. These are not historical summaries or factual recitations, but sensory memories: the feeling of being small in a large and changing world, the atmosphere of his family home, the landscape outside the windows, and the early experiences that would leave lifelong marks. One of the most striking images he recalls is standing at a window and seeing an airship pass slowly across the sky. It is a moment that captures the wonder, innocence, and quiet excitement of childhood, and it becomes a symbolic starting point for the rest of his story.

Through careful narration and a focus on emotion and reflection, this episode aims to honour the original spirit of Béla’s writing. Listeners are invited to step into his world, to see through his eyes, and to connect with a life shaped by heritage, curiosity, and the enduring value of remembering where we come from.

Whether you are part of the extended Török family or simply someone who appreciates heartfelt personal histories, this episode offers a gentle and meaningful introduction to a memoir that carries both emotional honesty and generational significance. It is the first step in a series that will continue to follow Béla’s story across childhood, family, education, and the defining chapters of his life.

https://youtu.be/1SzS0xKg6rA

The Eighties were an era of change: mandatory retirement, family celebrations, and global travel. From a long-established law practice in Australia, this memoir chronicles one man's "flexible secession" from work, his unexpected legal battle against a negligence suit, and his intellectual life as a Hungarian emigrant. Hear the reflections of a constitutional lawyer and anti-communist on the rise of the glasnost era, the complex politics of the Hungarian diaspora, and the joys and challenges of building a purposeful life far from home.