Joseph Nagyvary has recently published a memoir that describes his life as a chemistry student in Hungary during the communist era (1952-1956). It was also the beginning of his interest in Stradivari violins, a subject which he had the privilege to lecture about to many local sections of the ACS, including the Sacramento Section.
In his book, Joseph recollects a childhood growing up with a devout Catholic father and a rebellious Communist brother. In an atmosphere where everyone is encouraged to inform on each other, he doesn’t know whom he can trust. When Joseph attends the University of Budapest, he becomes involved in the 1956 uprising against the Soviet army. Violence and Violins details the horrors and panic that follow.
Joseph Nagyvary fled communism and eventually immigrated to the United States, where he taught biochemistry at Texas A&M University for thirty-eight years. Nagyvary’s work has been featured on news programs and PBS. He has been internationally awarded and recognized for his research on Stradivarius violins.
For more information about the book, go to www.violenceandviolins.com.
