How It Began
The Upside of Hunger is a true tale about a dear friend. I met Adam Baumann in 2011, while vacationing in Costa Rica. He and his wife were staying in the Villa next door, and soon we’d introduced ourselves and made plans to dine together. After hearing some of his stories over dinner that evening, I was hooked. From that night, the book was in my head, wanting to be put on paper. It took me a couple of years to get up the courage to start. Since then, Adam and I have collaborated through 400 and some odd recorded interviews, 2,000+ pages of transcribed notes, and seven drafts of a novel based on the events of his life.
Photo Gallery
A glimpse into the personal albums of Adam Baumann. Click a photo to enlarge.
Adam’s paternal grandparents Florian and Veronica Baumann taken near Elek Hungary circa 1933.
Adam’s school class photo circa 1939. Adam back row far right.
Jean Baumann (nee Nordstrom) circa 1940.
Adam’s Aunt Maria with his little sister Anni, and the mangalitsa pigs raised for food in eastern Hungary. Identity of boys unknown. Taken in Elek, Hungary circa 1941.
Youth Brass Band circa 1942. Adam fifth from the right.
Gates of Komarom prison that Adam and other Hungarian soldiers were marched through after crossing into communist held Hungary attempting to return home in 1945. (Photo taken 1970s)
Door leading to undergrounds cells at Komarom prison where Adam and other Hungarian prisoners were taken after being beaten by communist police 1945.
Adam and his dad near Laudenbach, Germany 1946.
Adam on left with baby brother Frank, Theresa, George. Laudenbach, Germany, late 1947.
Adam, age 18, Laudenbach Germany 1947.
Baumann family 1948 Laudenbach Germany. George (brother) back left, Adam back right. Theresa (sister) and new husband Franz in center with baby Frank (brother). Parents seated front.
Adam, Theresa, George. Laudenbach, Germany 1948.
Adam age 20, 1949, Laudenbach, Germany.
Adam’s maternal grandparents, Johann and Maria Bambach, taken in Laudenbach, Germany, circa 1950.
Adam’s brother George, brother-in-law Franz, and little brother Frank. Laudenbach Germany circa 1951.
Adam’s sister Theresa with her husband Franz and little brother Frank. Laudenbach Germany circa 1951.
Baumann family 1951 Laudenbach Germany. Left to right – George (brother), Anna (mother), Theresa (sister), Theresa’s husband Franz, George (father), Adam. Little brother Frank in front.
Adam’s first passport, issued 1951.
Canadian immigration visa, issued October 1951, a few weeks before boarding The Fair Sea.
German immigrants aboard The Fair Sea November 1951. Adam and Beatrice back row, right hand side. Willy Fleischmann back left.
Adam at sawmill in Prince George, BC. First job and first winter in Canada. Winter 1951-52.
George’s arrival at Prince George train station, spring 1952.
Adam learning to hunt with Freddy Brandel near Prince George spring 1952.
Adam and George, on hunting expedition with Freddy Brandel spring 1952.
Little Frankie near Laudenbach Germany circa 1952. Easter treats purchased with money sent from Canada by Adam.
Adam’s mom, sister Theresa, and brother Frank wearing the cowboy suit that Adam sent to him for a Christmas gift. Laudenbach, Germany, summer 1952.
Adam and George on their travels around BC working odd jobs autumn 1952.
Dave Pipe’s crew of immigrants, Christmas party 1953. Vancouver BC. Adam front left, Dave Pipe front right.
Graveyard in Elek, Hungary, where Adam’s little sister is buried.
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