In the years of Nazi occupation of Hungary, Hungarian Jews referred to their Gentile rescuers as "angels" — these seemingly ordinary men and women could hardly explain their actions. "I did what I had to do almost unconsciously," said Lutheran Pastor Gabor Sztehlos. Scrawny Mr. Kanalas, a disreputable janitor, could chase away Nazi thugs without hesitation—where did such behavior come from and why? Erzesebet David was a weak and indecisive woman—where did she find the will to forge Christian birth certificates? Charles Fenyvesi and members of his family were on the helped by these angels. Thousands of others were helped by Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish consul whose actions surprised many who knew him. Fenyvesi writes as a historian and beneficiary of these modest angels who, with their actions in a time of absolute terror, soared while others crawled.
| Prologue | ||
| Ch. 1 | Killers, Opportunists, Angels | 1 |
| Ch. 2 | The Prince from Far Away: Raoul Wallenberg | 33 |
| Ch. 3 | The Rages of a Dark Angel: Mr. Kanalas | 99 |
| Ch. 4 | The Secrets of the Mother Book: Erzsebet David | 129 |
| Ch. 5 | Man of Action, Man of God: Gabor Sztehlo | 163 |
| Ch. 6 | The Matter of Honor: Levente Thury | 215 |
| Epilogue: Blessed Be He Who Was Not There? | 277 | |
| Bibliography | 299 | |
| Photo Credits | 301 |
Overview
In the years of Nazi occupation of Hungary, Hungarian Jews referred to their Gentile rescuers as "angels" — these seemingly ordinary men and women could hardly explain their actions. "I did what I had to do almost unconsciously," said Lutheran Pastor Gabor Sztehlos. Scrawny Mr. Kanalas, a disreputable janitor, could chase away Nazi thugs without hesitation—where did such behavior come from and why? Erzesebet David was a weak and indecisive woman—where did she find the will to forge Christian birth certificates? ...