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Not A Real Enemy: The True Story of a Hungarian Jewish Man’s Fight for Freedom
Hungary, 1944. Almost half a million Jewish Hungarians are deported to Auschwitz. Among the few surviving Hungarian Jews from this era were young men who, like Ervin Wolf, were forced into the brutal Labor Service where they were cut off from the outside world and forced to endure inhumane brutalities and servitude. Once freed, a new oppression took hold as communist rule under Stalin turned friends to foes, enveloped the nation in fear and suspicion, and tested everyone’s character and strength.
This is the true story of Ervin Wolf and his family as the fascist tide of Eastern Europe takes hold of Hungary. From the Wolfs’ comfortable upper-class life to imprisonment, daring escapes, tragic deaths, cloak-and-dagger adventures, and Ervin’s final escape to freedom in the dead of night, Not a Real Enemy is a page-turning tale of suspense, tragedy, comedy, and ultimately, triumph.
This is the true story of Ervin Wolf and his family as the fascist tide of Eastern Europe takes hold of Hungary. From the Wolfs’ comfortable upper-class life to imprisonment, daring escapes, tragic deaths, cloak-and-dagger adventures, and Ervin’s final escape to freedom in the dead of night, Not a Real Enemy is a page-turning tale of suspense, tragedy, comedy, and ultimately, triumph.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 12, 2022
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October 29, 2023
Not a Real Enemy: The True Story of a Hungarian Jewish Man’s Fight for Freedom (Amsterdam Press, 2022), by Robert Wolf, MD
Reviewed by Shira Yael Klein (Rachack Review)
At its core, this book is a fairly typical Holocaust memoir, yet it is undeniably a stellar five-star read, as attested to by the multiple awards it earned. The book chronicles the life of a young Hungarian Jewish man from his childhood as a coddled only child of well-to-do parents, through the harrowing depths of the Hungarian forced labor camps during the Holocaust, and eventually to adulthood in post-war Communist Hungary. While the Holocaust narrative may be familiar to many readers, the latter part of the book offers a unique perspective, delving into the relatively-uncharted territory of post-war Communist Hungary. The acknowledgements in the back of the book reveal that there were many rounds of editing and proofreading, and a lot of people were involved in producing this wonderful book. All those efforts shine through in this beautifully-written, well-executed masterpiece.
What sets this book apart is its distinctive narrative structure. Surprisingly, a significant chunk of the narrative doesn't focus on the young protagonist, but instead pivots to his father's story. The reader is transported back to his father’s boyhood and follows his father’s journey through marriage and early adulthood. It is a gripping account of a young man’s struggle to succeed in an anti-Semitic society, highlighting the resilience and perseverance he displayed while pulling himself up by the bootstraps to become a highly-successful Jewish doctor. This legacy of success doesn't stop with the protagonist’s father, but — spoiler alert — it extends to the protagonist himself and even to the author, who happens to be the protagonist’s son. Remarkably, all three generations of men were Jewish doctors. This familial echo adds a poignant layer to the narrative, underscoring the multi-generational impact of the father's resilience and determination.
Another integral facet of the protagonist's identity was his strong connection to Hungarian high culture—the arts, opera, music, and theater. This cultural immersion was synonymous with a certain higher standard of living. A poignant scene in the book paints this picture vividly: during summer swims, while other swimmers on the riverbanks settled for humbler lunches, his housekeeper would present him with a sumptuous multi-course meal served on delicate chinaware. These refined sensibilities continued to shape the protagonist's life, anchoring him to the world of Hungarian high culture.
As an aside, my husband's family is of Hungarian Jewish heritage, and all four of his grandparents hail from Hungary (at least in the Jewish geographical sense). One of the characters in this book was named Uncle Laci, and he is somewhat reminiscent of my husband’s great-uncle Laci, who was affectionately known as Laci Basci (with basci being the Hungarian term for "uncle"). My husband's great-uncle was a true Hungarian gentleman, who cherished the theater and classical music. Reading this book helped me better understand another facet of our Uncle Laci.
Yet, there were aspects of the protagonist's choices and experiences that left me dismayed as an Orthodox Jewish reader. The protagonist and his father very conspicuously identified as Jews; they not only believed in God, but also in the efficacy of prayer. This Jewish pride led the protagonist to hate having to feign being Christian during the Holocaust (when he could not openly admit to being Jewish). But although they were proud to be Jews, there was only a vestigial remnant of Jewish observance. For example, the protagonist fasted on Yom Kipper and had a Jewish wedding (even under communist rule, when this was forbidden).
One particular incident that stood out was when the protagonist casually partook in a meal consisting of potatoes and lard. This did not transpire under starvation conditions, wherein one obviously eats whatever one gets in order to stay alive. The protagonist seemed to disregard fundamental principles of Jewish dietary observance without hesitation. It was rather disconcerting that somebody could be so proud of being Jewish, yet stray so far from Judaism. Of course the protagonist (clearly a good and moral person) cannot be blamed for these shortcomings, because he was raised secular, but nonetheless I found it unsettling.
However, I was even more disturbed by a different part of the story: During a financial depression, the protagonist's parents relocated to an Orthodox neighborhood in an attempt to save money. At that time, the protagonist was still a young child, so he transferred to the local Orthodox school, but he was unable to make any friends. This left him a very lonely little boy (especially considering he was an only child, so he didn't have any siblings). Later in life, he realized that the other, religious, Jewish families in the neighborhood forbade their children from playing with him.
This dynamic comes up again, in the work camps. There, the religious boys shunned the non-religious Jewish boys (many of whom came from families that had converted to Christianity). They were all stuck in the same work camp together because they were all Jews, yet the religious boys still viewed the non-religious ones with animosity. I wanted to go back in time and yell at them.
In the work camps, the conditions were harsh, with grueling labor and meager rations that bordered on starvation. However, the protagonist's work group seemed to fare better than most others (perhaps because many of the boys had converted to Christianity). It's notable that none of the boys in this particular work group succumbed to the relentless labor or starvation.
Another heartening and distinctive aspect of this Holocaust memoir was the presence of human decency amid the darkness. The Jewish boys in the work camp would often sneak off at night to beg or buy food from sympathetic peasants in the vicinity. In Hungary, there were still some good people left, who recognized that Jews were people too and that the persecution they endured was unjust. Some went to great lengths to extend a helping hand, even at the risk of their own safety. This contrasted with some other memoirs from Holocaust survivors in Poland and other parts of Europe, where it seemed like the whole world had gone mad and absolutely everyone was out to get you.
Despite the unsettling moments and observations, this book remains a truly excellent five-star read, an engrossing page-turner that provides unique insights into a complex and challenging era.
Reviewed by Shira Yael Klein (Rachack Review)
At its core, this book is a fairly typical Holocaust memoir, yet it is undeniably a stellar five-star read, as attested to by the multiple awards it earned. The book chronicles the life of a young Hungarian Jewish man from his childhood as a coddled only child of well-to-do parents, through the harrowing depths of the Hungarian forced labor camps during the Holocaust, and eventually to adulthood in post-war Communist Hungary. While the Holocaust narrative may be familiar to many readers, the latter part of the book offers a unique perspective, delving into the relatively-uncharted territory of post-war Communist Hungary. The acknowledgements in the back of the book reveal that there were many rounds of editing and proofreading, and a lot of people were involved in producing this wonderful book. All those efforts shine through in this beautifully-written, well-executed masterpiece.
What sets this book apart is its distinctive narrative structure. Surprisingly, a significant chunk of the narrative doesn't focus on the young protagonist, but instead pivots to his father's story. The reader is transported back to his father’s boyhood and follows his father’s journey through marriage and early adulthood. It is a gripping account of a young man’s struggle to succeed in an anti-Semitic society, highlighting the resilience and perseverance he displayed while pulling himself up by the bootstraps to become a highly-successful Jewish doctor. This legacy of success doesn't stop with the protagonist’s father, but — spoiler alert — it extends to the protagonist himself and even to the author, who happens to be the protagonist’s son. Remarkably, all three generations of men were Jewish doctors. This familial echo adds a poignant layer to the narrative, underscoring the multi-generational impact of the father's resilience and determination.
Another integral facet of the protagonist's identity was his strong connection to Hungarian high culture—the arts, opera, music, and theater. This cultural immersion was synonymous with a certain higher standard of living. A poignant scene in the book paints this picture vividly: during summer swims, while other swimmers on the riverbanks settled for humbler lunches, his housekeeper would present him with a sumptuous multi-course meal served on delicate chinaware. These refined sensibilities continued to shape the protagonist's life, anchoring him to the world of Hungarian high culture.
As an aside, my husband's family is of Hungarian Jewish heritage, and all four of his grandparents hail from Hungary (at least in the Jewish geographical sense). One of the characters in this book was named Uncle Laci, and he is somewhat reminiscent of my husband’s great-uncle Laci, who was affectionately known as Laci Basci (with basci being the Hungarian term for "uncle"). My husband's great-uncle was a true Hungarian gentleman, who cherished the theater and classical music. Reading this book helped me better understand another facet of our Uncle Laci.
Yet, there were aspects of the protagonist's choices and experiences that left me dismayed as an Orthodox Jewish reader. The protagonist and his father very conspicuously identified as Jews; they not only believed in God, but also in the efficacy of prayer. This Jewish pride led the protagonist to hate having to feign being Christian during the Holocaust (when he could not openly admit to being Jewish). But although they were proud to be Jews, there was only a vestigial remnant of Jewish observance. For example, the protagonist fasted on Yom Kipper and had a Jewish wedding (even under communist rule, when this was forbidden).
One particular incident that stood out was when the protagonist casually partook in a meal consisting of potatoes and lard. This did not transpire under starvation conditions, wherein one obviously eats whatever one gets in order to stay alive. The protagonist seemed to disregard fundamental principles of Jewish dietary observance without hesitation. It was rather disconcerting that somebody could be so proud of being Jewish, yet stray so far from Judaism. Of course the protagonist (clearly a good and moral person) cannot be blamed for these shortcomings, because he was raised secular, but nonetheless I found it unsettling.
However, I was even more disturbed by a different part of the story: During a financial depression, the protagonist's parents relocated to an Orthodox neighborhood in an attempt to save money. At that time, the protagonist was still a young child, so he transferred to the local Orthodox school, but he was unable to make any friends. This left him a very lonely little boy (especially considering he was an only child, so he didn't have any siblings). Later in life, he realized that the other, religious, Jewish families in the neighborhood forbade their children from playing with him.
This dynamic comes up again, in the work camps. There, the religious boys shunned the non-religious Jewish boys (many of whom came from families that had converted to Christianity). They were all stuck in the same work camp together because they were all Jews, yet the religious boys still viewed the non-religious ones with animosity. I wanted to go back in time and yell at them.
In the work camps, the conditions were harsh, with grueling labor and meager rations that bordered on starvation. However, the protagonist's work group seemed to fare better than most others (perhaps because many of the boys had converted to Christianity). It's notable that none of the boys in this particular work group succumbed to the relentless labor or starvation.
Another heartening and distinctive aspect of this Holocaust memoir was the presence of human decency amid the darkness. The Jewish boys in the work camp would often sneak off at night to beg or buy food from sympathetic peasants in the vicinity. In Hungary, there were still some good people left, who recognized that Jews were people too and that the persecution they endured was unjust. Some went to great lengths to extend a helping hand, even at the risk of their own safety. This contrasted with some other memoirs from Holocaust survivors in Poland and other parts of Europe, where it seemed like the whole world had gone mad and absolutely everyone was out to get you.
Despite the unsettling moments and observations, this book remains a truly excellent five-star read, an engrossing page-turner that provides unique insights into a complex and challenging era.
January 2, 2023
Not a Real Enemy is a biography about a Hungarian Jewish man, Dr. Ervin Wolf, who was fortunate not to have been sent to Auschwitz in 1944 but rather forced to work in labor camps. His own parents died at Auschwitz as did thousands of Jewish Hungarians. The vivid descriptions of the cruelty in the labor camps were unsettling. His journey to freedom was a long one and astonishing.
When Germany was defeated, Hungarians thought the Russians might save them and give them the freedom they so much desired. However, the communist regime under Stalin was much worse than Hungarian citizens expected. Industry was nationalized, religion was squelched and basically the state took over everything. No one trusted anyone, and the government kept records on Hungarian citizens. Ervin, who was a doctor, chose to lay low and stay out of politics as much as he could. In fact, later when he found the paperwork that the communist party had on him, it said he “was politically immature, not a real enemy, but untrustworthy, unreliable.” When the Hungarian Revolution occurred in 1956, Ervin and his wife knew it was time for them to leave Hungary, as much as they loved it. Their escape was harrowing, but they made it to Austria and in 1957 emigrated to the United States.
I had trouble with the writing in the first half of the book. The prose was stilted and went into too much detail about things I thought did not enhance the story, especially about his relationship with his father. The repetition that Ervin loved his father, but he was very strict and not as understanding as his mother, for example was mentioned many times in many ways. It made me question what the real relationship was like. However, when I got to halfway through the book, it moved along much smoother. I had great admiration for Ervin’s plight. I have read many Holocausts survivor stories but never about someone from Hungary. I visited Auschwitz Birkenau three times, so I have a clear picture of what the Nazis did under Hitler. I am more familiar with the history of Poland and knew little about Hungary. I have a great deal of respect for Robert Wolf for keeping his father’s story alive and for going through his father’s notes and putting his life in perspective. It is a tribute to a man whose story needed to be told. All the Holocaust stories need to be told no matter how much we think know about them.
When Germany was defeated, Hungarians thought the Russians might save them and give them the freedom they so much desired. However, the communist regime under Stalin was much worse than Hungarian citizens expected. Industry was nationalized, religion was squelched and basically the state took over everything. No one trusted anyone, and the government kept records on Hungarian citizens. Ervin, who was a doctor, chose to lay low and stay out of politics as much as he could. In fact, later when he found the paperwork that the communist party had on him, it said he “was politically immature, not a real enemy, but untrustworthy, unreliable.” When the Hungarian Revolution occurred in 1956, Ervin and his wife knew it was time for them to leave Hungary, as much as they loved it. Their escape was harrowing, but they made it to Austria and in 1957 emigrated to the United States.
I had trouble with the writing in the first half of the book. The prose was stilted and went into too much detail about things I thought did not enhance the story, especially about his relationship with his father. The repetition that Ervin loved his father, but he was very strict and not as understanding as his mother, for example was mentioned many times in many ways. It made me question what the real relationship was like. However, when I got to halfway through the book, it moved along much smoother. I had great admiration for Ervin’s plight. I have read many Holocausts survivor stories but never about someone from Hungary. I visited Auschwitz Birkenau three times, so I have a clear picture of what the Nazis did under Hitler. I am more familiar with the history of Poland and knew little about Hungary. I have a great deal of respect for Robert Wolf for keeping his father’s story alive and for going through his father’s notes and putting his life in perspective. It is a tribute to a man whose story needed to be told. All the Holocaust stories need to be told no matter how much we think know about them.
January 10, 2023
This is not your average Holocaust memoir. It is something much more. It goes back a little further into the past than most other retellings, and it does so to set you up for the future.
There are many memoirs that vacillate between the ages of a singular figure, and it is a useful and adventurous method of storytelling, but this construct presented here has a stated, directed purpose: to show you how the survivor was nurtured, not natured.
I don't think I've ever read a book - though I'm sure some must exist, but I insist it's rare - that shows how the harrowing lessons and experiences of WW1 provide a roadmap and survival manual for WW2.
That is the entire first half of the book, and it would be quite the read just to appreciate this unique perspective.
However, the second half of the book then comes along, and the tale is a bit more familiar, but nonetheless frightening and propulsive as the hero continues to rely on 70% moxie, 20% connections, and 10% luck (feel free to quibble with my formula) as he runs and dodges and escapes and veers, to finally emerge intact from the war.
In order to have a memoir like this exist in the world, you need three things: 1) A survivor ready to tell his story in great detail. 2) A listener willing to listen intently to everything transmitted. 3) A writer able to put it all together.
Both Mr. Wolf and his hero father ticked all these checkboxes, resulting in this achievement of reporting. The son, the father, and the grandfather all have boundless energy, forwardthinkingness, and initiative galore. I admire the whole bunch, and applaud this work that speaks so finely of them all.
P.S. The meaning of the title of the book is revealed later, rather than sooner. Patience, you will be rewarded.
October 26, 2022
This gripping historical biography describes the harrowing experience of Ervin Wolf as he is forced to leave his parents behind to join the Labor Service during WW2 where he endures unbearable cruelties and unbelievable living conditions. The story alternates between the experiences of Ervin and those of his parents as they each navigate through the turbulent times leading up to, during, and shortly after WW2.
I could not put this book down! I have read lots books set during WW2, yet I was still appalled at the cruelties I read about and amazed at the bravery of so many who suffered. This fascinating tale reads like fiction, but it is true!
My sincere thanks to @amsterdam_publishers and @robertjwolfmd for my gifted copy. My thoughts are my own.
I could not put this book down! I have read lots books set during WW2, yet I was still appalled at the cruelties I read about and amazed at the bravery of so many who suffered. This fascinating tale reads like fiction, but it is true!
My sincere thanks to @amsterdam_publishers and @robertjwolfmd for my gifted copy. My thoughts are my own.
January 2, 2023
Captivating, incredible story
A personal yet universal story of survival against all odds during one of our darkest times in history. The book is very engaging and hard to put down. It tells a unique story of the particular tragedies that took place in Hungary during the Holocaust, as well as the replacement of fascism with the oppressive reign of communism. The spirit of freedom was on every page of this wonderful book. A must read!
A personal yet universal story of survival against all odds during one of our darkest times in history. The book is very engaging and hard to put down. It tells a unique story of the particular tragedies that took place in Hungary during the Holocaust, as well as the replacement of fascism with the oppressive reign of communism. The spirit of freedom was on every page of this wonderful book. A must read!
January 30, 2023
Only child, Ervin Wolf, must leave behind his parents and a privileged life in post-WW1 Hungary when he is forced to work for the country's brutal Labour Service. His innate survival instinct combined with unassailable faith, nerves of steel and sheer luck ensure his triumph over death. He succeeds in holding on to his sense of humour and his humanity throughout situations that challenge both to the limit. This is an inspiring story of a remarkable man. Highly recommend.
October 25, 2022
Excellent reading. The book is a poignant remembrance of what the Wolf Family as Jews endured before and during WWII. The last chapters about the author's parent’s Budapest years and escape vividly brought to life what it must have been like living under Communism and during the Hungarian revolution.
November 15, 2023
This book is one of the most enriching and captivating books that I have ever read.
The harrowing life in Hungry before and during World ll is captivated so well in this book. The book is exquisitely written and each page captures moments that are so real that it seizes your mind, body, and soul.
A friend Doug Feyer, lent me his copy. My wife Melanie and I traded reading it. We could not put it down and we had conversations all along the way.
There are innumerable moments of challenge, and excitement and within the story itself one reflects deeply on what the reader would have done in similar situations. Hopefully similar situations, will not show up for us.
Seek out a copy of this book and once you read it please let me know what you think.
The harrowing life in Hungry before and during World ll is captivated so well in this book. The book is exquisitely written and each page captures moments that are so real that it seizes your mind, body, and soul.
A friend Doug Feyer, lent me his copy. My wife Melanie and I traded reading it. We could not put it down and we had conversations all along the way.
There are innumerable moments of challenge, and excitement and within the story itself one reflects deeply on what the reader would have done in similar situations. Hopefully similar situations, will not show up for us.
Seek out a copy of this book and once you read it please let me know what you think.
May 5, 2024
Mom recommended, so sad. Didn’t know much about Hungary history before 😳
September 11, 2023
Not a Real Enemy
I loved this book! It held my interest from beginning to end. At times it was difficult to read because of the intense suffering, but it was well worth reading. I was so surprised to see where Ervin and Junit ended up settling, because it is where I now live!
I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in history or politics.
I loved this book! It held my interest from beginning to end. At times it was difficult to read because of the intense suffering, but it was well worth reading. I was so surprised to see where Ervin and Junit ended up settling, because it is where I now live!
I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in history or politics.
Read
November 2, 2022Please get a copy of this book, Not a Real Enemy, and read it. You won’t want to put it down. You will laugh, cry and a feel a lot of different emotions but well worth it! Rob is a gifted writer and what a beautiful way to capture his family history…one we should never forget!
January 10, 2023
This is a must read in understanding the difficulties the Jewish people had to undergo in Europe during WWII. It is also about a hero and his struggle to gain freedom. This book should be made into a book!
January 28, 2023
The author paints a vivid picture of what his family endured during WWII and the uprising of Hungary, a perspective not often shared. A story of survival and perseverance despite incredible trauma. Well worth reading.
June 11, 2023
A true Holocaust story told by a son of two Hungary survivors. Both heartbreaking and hopeful, an exciting read that takes you from Hungary to Mt. Clemens Michigan. I cried at the optimism his grandparents showed when they arrived at Auschwitz.
Read
June 21, 2023""
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2023
From the opening lines (“The house was dark and quiet.”) to the last few words (“Never let the past be forgotten”) Robert J. Wolf’s account of his family’s experience in Nazi-occupied Hungary is an emotional, gut-wrenching and heart-breaking story. In moving and unforgettable fashion, Wolf tells the tale of his grandfather, Joseph, an eminent Jewish physician who honorably served his country in World War 1; his grandmother, Kamilla; and their son. Ervin grew up in a home filled with love and creature comforts only to be conscripted into the Jewish Labor Service and suffer the depravations and horrors inflicted on so many of his generation. Fortunately, the young man found two friends, Frank and Mike, with whom he shared mutual support to survive the ordeals he faced due to his “failure to be born a Christian.”
I found two sections, “Occupation” and “Twenty Five Kilos,” to be particularly disturbing - but important to read and contemplate. They provide the reader with a small sample of the dread and desperation which all Jews within Hitler’s realm must have felt as the waves of antisemitism grew larger and more violent - and eventually engulfed them. Wolf’s portrayal of Joseph and Kamilla’s fate at the hands of their Nazi captors, and their thoughts at each turn in the story, is something I will not soon forget. Nor would I want to.
As for Joseph and Kamilla’s son, anxious to free himself from his own trials and tribulations, “the more Ervin contemplated escape, the more worried he became about the prospects of success.” The story of that escape, subsequent recapture and a second escape provides the reader with more compelling, un-put-downable reading. So too is author Wolf’s recounting of Evan’s search, in the early aftermath of the war, to track down Joseph and Kamilla. These were the days during which Hungary now found itself occupied not by the Germans, but by the Russians.
Here the tale of Ervin’s quest for freedom takes another turn. “The taste of freedom lingered in his memory and so he longed to have it back – even if his only memory of freedom had been as a small boy.” But he found that life in Hungary under Soviet rule was growing more oppressive every day. Fortunately, he also found the love of his life, Judit, with whom he looked for an opportunity to escape.
NOT A REAL ENEMY brilliantly captures one of the millions of stories that must never be forgotten.
I found two sections, “Occupation” and “Twenty Five Kilos,” to be particularly disturbing - but important to read and contemplate. They provide the reader with a small sample of the dread and desperation which all Jews within Hitler’s realm must have felt as the waves of antisemitism grew larger and more violent - and eventually engulfed them. Wolf’s portrayal of Joseph and Kamilla’s fate at the hands of their Nazi captors, and their thoughts at each turn in the story, is something I will not soon forget. Nor would I want to.
As for Joseph and Kamilla’s son, anxious to free himself from his own trials and tribulations, “the more Ervin contemplated escape, the more worried he became about the prospects of success.” The story of that escape, subsequent recapture and a second escape provides the reader with more compelling, un-put-downable reading. So too is author Wolf’s recounting of Evan’s search, in the early aftermath of the war, to track down Joseph and Kamilla. These were the days during which Hungary now found itself occupied not by the Germans, but by the Russians.
Here the tale of Ervin’s quest for freedom takes another turn. “The taste of freedom lingered in his memory and so he longed to have it back – even if his only memory of freedom had been as a small boy.” But he found that life in Hungary under Soviet rule was growing more oppressive every day. Fortunately, he also found the love of his life, Judit, with whom he looked for an opportunity to escape.
NOT A REAL ENEMY brilliantly captures one of the millions of stories that must never be forgotten.
February 1, 2023
I have read a number of books by Holocaust survivors. This is one of the best. It is the biography of Irwin Wolf, scion of a well off Jewish doctor, Joseph, and his wife Kamilla beginning in the days before WWII. The family lived in Gyor, Hungary—which was later completely destroyed by the Nazis, while its Jewish population of 450,000 was obliterated.
The story somewhat begins when Irwin, age 20, who had planned to go to medical school, is conscripted by the Nazi Labor Service. The work is very hard and there are no amenities—often not even food or water. Irwin survives all this sometimes w/ the aid of his friends from Gyor, Frank and Mike—Franks family had converted to Catholicism in an effort to stay safe from the Nazis, but it doesn’t seem as if it helped him much.
The story is full of tension and is a page turner. Always the question of “are they going to make it” was there as they tumbled from one catastrophic situation to another.
Towards the end of the war, Irwin establishes himself in Budapest where he continues his medical studies. The savagery of the Nazis grows desperately as the war starts to end. However, the invasion of the Russian army is almost like trading one bad thing for another. The Soviets are very strict, and while not particularly prejudiced against Jews, they establish a fierce, demanding and intolerant presence.
During this time, Irwin meets the love of his life, Judit, who is studying medicine, too. Although their lives have greatly improved with the comfort of each other, they are troubled by Soviet oppression even as it effects friends and acquaintances. They wonder when they will be next.
So they make a plan which is confounded many times. I’m going to stop here lest I give you the whole story!
It is no small feat to make a biography, especially of a loved one, sound as compelling and exciting as the events undoubtedly were. Dr. Wolf has managed to do this making this into a page turning thriller.
The story somewhat begins when Irwin, age 20, who had planned to go to medical school, is conscripted by the Nazi Labor Service. The work is very hard and there are no amenities—often not even food or water. Irwin survives all this sometimes w/ the aid of his friends from Gyor, Frank and Mike—Franks family had converted to Catholicism in an effort to stay safe from the Nazis, but it doesn’t seem as if it helped him much.
The story is full of tension and is a page turner. Always the question of “are they going to make it” was there as they tumbled from one catastrophic situation to another.
Towards the end of the war, Irwin establishes himself in Budapest where he continues his medical studies. The savagery of the Nazis grows desperately as the war starts to end. However, the invasion of the Russian army is almost like trading one bad thing for another. The Soviets are very strict, and while not particularly prejudiced against Jews, they establish a fierce, demanding and intolerant presence.
During this time, Irwin meets the love of his life, Judit, who is studying medicine, too. Although their lives have greatly improved with the comfort of each other, they are troubled by Soviet oppression even as it effects friends and acquaintances. They wonder when they will be next.
So they make a plan which is confounded many times. I’m going to stop here lest I give you the whole story!
It is no small feat to make a biography, especially of a loved one, sound as compelling and exciting as the events undoubtedly were. Dr. Wolf has managed to do this making this into a page turning thriller.
February 20, 2024
A Gripping Tale of Family, Ignorance, and Historical Resilience
Robert Wolf's Not a Real Enemy transports readers on a captivating journey through three distinct realms of human experience: “Family”, “It is Better not to know” and “From Yellow Star to Red Star”. Set more or less within the framework of historical fiction, Wolf masterfully weaves together a tapestry of personal narratives and universal truths, offering a poignant exploration of conflict, resilience, and the enduring power of human connection.
“Family” delves deep into the intricate dynamics of familial relationships, presenting a richly nuanced portrait of love, loyalty, and discomfort as the young protagonist, Ervin (Wolf’s father) joins the Labor Service in 1943. Through the lens of his own family's experiences, he navigates the familial complexities and the enduring bonds that unite kin. Each character is brought to life with vivid detail and emotional depth, inviting readers to empathize with their joys and struggles as they navigate the often turbulent waters of family life.
"It is Better not to know," confronts the unsettling notion of ignorance as a shield against uncomfortable truths. Through a series of compelling vignettes, Ervin explores the whereabouts of his parents and the harsh realities of the world as he unravels the significance of numerous unknown concepts.
“From Yellow Star to Red Star” transports readers to another tumultuous landscape of World War II Europe, where the specter of war looms large and the resilience of the human spirit is put to the ultimate test. Through the lens of historical fiction, interweaved with his father’s personal journey, Wolf offers a deeply personal perspective on the enduring legacy of trauma.
By blending the personal with the historical, Wolf invites readers to reconsider their perceptions of conflict and to recognize the inherent humanity that unites us all.
Robert Wolf's Not a Real Enemy transports readers on a captivating journey through three distinct realms of human experience: “Family”, “It is Better not to know” and “From Yellow Star to Red Star”. Set more or less within the framework of historical fiction, Wolf masterfully weaves together a tapestry of personal narratives and universal truths, offering a poignant exploration of conflict, resilience, and the enduring power of human connection.
“Family” delves deep into the intricate dynamics of familial relationships, presenting a richly nuanced portrait of love, loyalty, and discomfort as the young protagonist, Ervin (Wolf’s father) joins the Labor Service in 1943. Through the lens of his own family's experiences, he navigates the familial complexities and the enduring bonds that unite kin. Each character is brought to life with vivid detail and emotional depth, inviting readers to empathize with their joys and struggles as they navigate the often turbulent waters of family life.
"It is Better not to know," confronts the unsettling notion of ignorance as a shield against uncomfortable truths. Through a series of compelling vignettes, Ervin explores the whereabouts of his parents and the harsh realities of the world as he unravels the significance of numerous unknown concepts.
“From Yellow Star to Red Star” transports readers to another tumultuous landscape of World War II Europe, where the specter of war looms large and the resilience of the human spirit is put to the ultimate test. Through the lens of historical fiction, interweaved with his father’s personal journey, Wolf offers a deeply personal perspective on the enduring legacy of trauma.
By blending the personal with the historical, Wolf invites readers to reconsider their perceptions of conflict and to recognize the inherent humanity that unites us all.
July 8, 2024
Dear Robert;
I wanted to reach out and express my profound gratitude for the book you wrote, detailing the harrowing story of your grandparents and parents. The account of losing your grandparents in Auschwitz and your parents' escape from Hungary is truly heart-wrenching. The sheer amount of horror and suffering that they endured throughout their lives, from losing their homes multiple times to facing the atrocities of war, communism, and the Holocaust, is beyond comprehension.
Despite all odds, your family members persevered and not only survived but also became physicians, exemplifying resilience and strength in the face of unimaginable adversity. The capacity for evil that some humans exhibit towards others is a stark reminder of the fragility of humanity.
Reading your book has forever changed me, shedding light on the experiences and lives that some individuals have had to endure. It has made me realize how fortunate we are to not have faced such trials, while also acknowledging that everything is fragile, and circumstances can change in an instant.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to you for sharing your family's story and for portraying them as heroic and admirable individuals. They are truly some of the most humane souls I have ever learned about, and their experiences have left a lasting impact on me.
Thank you once again for writing this powerful and moving book.
Warm regards, Alison M
I wanted to reach out and express my profound gratitude for the book you wrote, detailing the harrowing story of your grandparents and parents. The account of losing your grandparents in Auschwitz and your parents' escape from Hungary is truly heart-wrenching. The sheer amount of horror and suffering that they endured throughout their lives, from losing their homes multiple times to facing the atrocities of war, communism, and the Holocaust, is beyond comprehension.
Despite all odds, your family members persevered and not only survived but also became physicians, exemplifying resilience and strength in the face of unimaginable adversity. The capacity for evil that some humans exhibit towards others is a stark reminder of the fragility of humanity.
Reading your book has forever changed me, shedding light on the experiences and lives that some individuals have had to endure. It has made me realize how fortunate we are to not have faced such trials, while also acknowledging that everything is fragile, and circumstances can change in an instant.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to you for sharing your family's story and for portraying them as heroic and admirable individuals. They are truly some of the most humane souls I have ever learned about, and their experiences have left a lasting impact on me.
Thank you once again for writing this powerful and moving book.
Warm regards, Alison M
February 23, 2024
From the very first page of “Not a Real Enemy,” I was drawn in and completely engaged in a Hungarian man’s story of survival. Being a visual person had me right there witnessing the depth of the struggles and atrocities surrounding the Holocaust and his family’s fight for freedom.
But there’s so much more to the story. These are real people that experienced everything from love, joy, and sorrow, to torture and pain.
“Not a Real Enemy” opens the door to a true story that atrocities hide behind. It also opens the door to the strength of family, the bonds of true friends, the love of fellow man, and the will to survive. It will take you on a rollercoaster ride of a reality that we cannot, and should not, ever ignore or forget.
I laughed and I cried. There’s no way people can truly understand until they’ve heard an up close and personal story from a family that experienced the worst and the best of humanity. A must-read.
As of 2024, only about 245,000 of those who survived the Holocaust are still alive. Please open your heart to their story while we still have time to embrace them.
But there’s so much more to the story. These are real people that experienced everything from love, joy, and sorrow, to torture and pain.
“Not a Real Enemy” opens the door to a true story that atrocities hide behind. It also opens the door to the strength of family, the bonds of true friends, the love of fellow man, and the will to survive. It will take you on a rollercoaster ride of a reality that we cannot, and should not, ever ignore or forget.
I laughed and I cried. There’s no way people can truly understand until they’ve heard an up close and personal story from a family that experienced the worst and the best of humanity. A must-read.
As of 2024, only about 245,000 of those who survived the Holocaust are still alive. Please open your heart to their story while we still have time to embrace them.
March 7, 2024
Reading, so the saying goes, provides us somewhere to go when we have to stay still, took me on a historical and temporal voyage; Not a real enemy. The life of Mr. Wolf is the embodiment of success in life despite all obstacles. His existence has been intricately woven together by miracles, which he interprets so deftly to define and ensure his survival.
It was so well worded that I could actually feel the warmth and chill of the characters. The aroma, the sound of traffic, the railroads, the bicycles, the boats, the mountains, and the forest. An inspiring life narrative that has to be shared, particularly in light of the current denial that the Holocaust even occurred.
Mr Wolf was not an enemy, he was a Mensch.
It was so well worded that I could actually feel the warmth and chill of the characters. The aroma, the sound of traffic, the railroads, the bicycles, the boats, the mountains, and the forest. An inspiring life narrative that has to be shared, particularly in light of the current denial that the Holocaust even occurred.
Mr Wolf was not an enemy, he was a Mensch.
February 6, 2023
Not A Real Enemy is an informative, interesting and thought provoking read that provides insight to the daily survival of the Jewish people who saw their world deteriorating before their eyes. It’s about a family who foresaw what was coming, their choices, planning, consequences and determination to survive one of the worst periods in human history. It made me realize how quickly change can sneak up on you and how helpless you can feel. But most of all, that the desire and will to survive is a powerful emotion that allows us to do the unthinkable when we have no other choice. Thank you, Rob, for sharing your family’s story!
September 8, 2025
Well researched and well written. It was a wonderful story to read to a great extent because I lived part of it and my parents lived the early part of it. My family were Hungarian Holocaust survivors and lived with the fear of the Arrow Cross. I lived the aftermath of Russian occupation. Although not near Budapest the story of the family's survival in the story is not far from my family's survival. I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys reading about the strength of a human being's will to survive and the lengths they will go to for their loved ones.
August 28, 2025
A Triumph of the Human Spirit 🌟
Not A Real Enemy is a breathtaking true story of courage, resilience, and hope against unimaginable odds. Robert Wolf and Janice Harper deliver a heart-stirring journey through history that grips you from the first page and never lets go. A beautifully told tribute to one man’s fight for freedom—and a reminder that even in darkness, the human spirit shines.
Unforgettable. Uplifting. Utterly powerful.
Not A Real Enemy is a breathtaking true story of courage, resilience, and hope against unimaginable odds. Robert Wolf and Janice Harper deliver a heart-stirring journey through history that grips you from the first page and never lets go. A beautifully told tribute to one man’s fight for freedom—and a reminder that even in darkness, the human spirit shines.
Unforgettable. Uplifting. Utterly powerful.
May 21, 2023
Incredible story based on actual events of Ervin Wolfs perserverance and will to never give up! Faced with enslavement, loss of family, loss of everthing, this man risked his life, the only thing he had left for freedom. Events centered around German and then Soviet occupation and murder of jews in Hungary during the second world war. Well written could not put it down once i got to chapter 4!
April 13, 2024
Amazing story, amazing man
I cannot believe how anyone survived such atrocities such as the Holocaust only to be subjected to a similar experience under the Communist regime. I wish I possessed the inner strength and determination that Mr. Wolf had. Very exciting and well told story.
I cannot believe how anyone survived such atrocities such as the Holocaust only to be subjected to a similar experience under the Communist regime. I wish I possessed the inner strength and determination that Mr. Wolf had. Very exciting and well told story.
April 27, 2023
You won’t want to miss reading this incredible and well-written book that documents a Hungarian Jewish man’s courage, tenacity, and sheer spunk in the face of the horrors of the Holocaust and what followed. Educational and inspirational both!
September 12, 2023
I’m glad a friend referred me to this book. It was a captivating read of a young Jewish man’s struggle to escape the NAZI’s in Hungary during WW2 & than Soviet Russians. An excellent reminder on why racism & hate should always be confronted.
November 24, 2023
I just wanted to comment on how thoroughly absorbing your story was. The Holocaust was truly one of the most horrid events to happen—mass murder is nothing to scoff at from any perspective, and Not a REAL ENEMY was definitely a compelling, action-packed story showing it.
December 13, 2023
Dr. Wolf's extraordinary story of his father's fight for freedom is inspiring, and a piece of history that must continually be told and never forgotten. One of my most memorable reads of the year. Thank you for telling us about a wonderful man and giving us the strength to never forget.
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