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Parting Words: 9 Lessons for a Remarkable Life
100-year-old Benjamin Ferencz is the last surviving prosecutor of the Nuremberg Trials, where he prosecuted 22 leading Nazis. PARTING WORDS follows the story of Ben's life, and each chapter includes his learnings on how we can all make the most of ours - from the subjects of ambition and determination, to happiness and love.
What a century of life experience can teach us about happiness, ambition, courage, love and how to make the most of the lives we've been given.
How many people do you know grew up as a poor immigrant in America during the Great Depression, won a scholarship to Harvard Law School, landed on the beaches of Normandy on D Day, were present at the liberation of concentration camps including Buchenwald, Mauthausen and Flossenburg, held leading Nazis to account at the Nuremberg trials and have fought for an International Criminal Court to hold war criminals to account the world over?
Now you know one.
Benjamin Ferencz turned 100 in 2020. In this extraordinary book, he shares his remarkable life story and the nine humble, compelling and life-affirming lessons he's learned along the way that we can all harness for ourselves.
What a century of life experience can teach us about happiness, ambition, courage, love and how to make the most of the lives we've been given.
How many people do you know grew up as a poor immigrant in America during the Great Depression, won a scholarship to Harvard Law School, landed on the beaches of Normandy on D Day, were present at the liberation of concentration camps including Buchenwald, Mauthausen and Flossenburg, held leading Nazis to account at the Nuremberg trials and have fought for an International Criminal Court to hold war criminals to account the world over?
Now you know one.
Benjamin Ferencz turned 100 in 2020. In this extraordinary book, he shares his remarkable life story and the nine humble, compelling and life-affirming lessons he's learned along the way that we can all harness for ourselves.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published October 27, 2020
92 people are currently reading
1443 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
January 1, 2021
I have just turned the last page in Parting Words and found it to be a story of a man who has had an amazing life. Benjamin Ferencz is now 100 years of age and when he was a young man, he formed and led the prosecution of Nazis who had directed the atrocities during the second world war. Ben’s life has been, and still is, one of determination and ambition. He still exercises daily; his wife Gertrude died in 2019 and he misses her dearly. Their four children achieved much in their lives and are all retired now.
Ben was the son of a poor immigrant in the US during the depression years; he made a name for himself and with a scholarship, went to Harvard Law School before becoming a soldier in the war. His life has been full to the brim of everything you could imagine – and he declares he would love to live another 100 years. Humbling, fascinating, the nine life lessons this extraordinary man passes onto his readers make Parting Words well worth the read. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Hachette AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Ben was the son of a poor immigrant in the US during the depression years; he made a name for himself and with a scholarship, went to Harvard Law School before becoming a soldier in the war. His life has been full to the brim of everything you could imagine – and he declares he would love to live another 100 years. Humbling, fascinating, the nine life lessons this extraordinary man passes onto his readers make Parting Words well worth the read. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Hachette AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
May 24, 2023
Sehr starkes Buch! Ich bin sehr dankbar für seine Erfahrungen und Erkenntnisse, die er mir uns teilt!
July 18, 2021
Timeless advice from a man who has seen more in his life than most of us can even think of.
May 22, 2021
Słowa na pożeganie mogą, choć mam nadzieję, że nie będą, pożegnaniem autora ze światem. Będę wracała do tej książki, w której każda strona jest warta zacytowania. Polecam z całego serca 🤍
Sięgnijcie, bo warto!
"Pamiętaj, że czyjaść radość nie wyklucza twojej."
"Jeżeli ktoś ci pomoże, ty też mu pomóź, kiedy tylko możesz."
Sięgnijcie, bo warto!
"Pamiętaj, że czyjaść radość nie wyklucza twojej."
"Jeżeli ktoś ci pomoże, ty też mu pomóź, kiedy tylko możesz."
December 2, 2020
A truly inspiring story told by an incredible man. Benjamin imparts so much wisdom through this book, the kind that can only be obtained through adversity and time (over 100 years if we are being specific). I really admire Benny's outlook on the world and his philosophy for leading a remarkable life. Maintaining positive and hopefully in the face of such fearful life experiences is difficult I'm sure. A lot of what Benny wrote in the book, I found myself nodding along in agreement and feeling as though it very much resonated with me. I would highly recommend this book to absolutely everyone. It is a short and sweet read but you will take a lot from it.
April 17, 2021
Finished in one sitting & will re-read in future years. Inspiring and life-affirming testimony in the face of war's worst horrors. An antidote to angst, depression, and fear. Required reading for a meaningful life.
May 22, 2021
Small in size, but immensely powerful and inspiring words by Benjamin Ferencz, human rights lawyer and campaigner, now over 100 years of age. Every human being should read this, take on board his very wise words and carry on the fight for what is right and just.
February 5, 2022
Din categoria cartilor care ar trebui predate in scoala. E o lectura ușoară care poate fi parcursă in mai puțin de 3 ore jumate. Benjamin Ferencz este asemenea unui bunic înțelept in aceasta carte, pe care a scris o la varsta de 101 ani. Destul de emoționant cand realizezi ca ultimele randuri pe care probabil le va scrie in viata lui se afla in utlimul capitol al acestei carti.
Few words of wisdom from this book, dar pe departe cele mai interesante. Cititz cartea!
“- Dacă plângi în interiorul tău, ai face bine să râzi la exterior, copilă. Nu are rost să te îneci în propriile lacrimi, răspunde el.”
“- Nu aş putea să o duc mai bine de atât, spune el de fiecare dată când îl întreb. Ştii de ce? Pentru că sunt conştient de alternative.”
“Fericirea pe termen lung vine din împliniri și fiecare om are tipul său de împliniri. Ar putea fi vorba despre un scop măreț, cum ar fi salvarea lumi. Ar putea fi jurământul de a fi mai bun cu cei din jurul tău. Sau ar putea fi vorba despre obiective mici, cum ar fi mersul la plimbare, făcutul temelor sau luatul rufelor de la spălătorie - pe care le poți declara ca fiind realizate în fiecare zi.”
“Bảiete, dacă nu dai tot ce ai mai bun acum, vei regreta tot restul vieții." Am vrut să ies in evidență prin cunoştințele mele, nu prin bogăție. Asta m-a ambiționat.”
“Am supraviețuit războiului printr-un noroc chior. Eram scund, aşa că gloanțele treceau pe deasupra capului meu. Întotdeauna există ceva pozitiv la defectele tale.”
“Nu-ti poți rezolva problemele omorând oameni nevinovați- nu ei sunt cei care trag sforile. Mai ales că, în epoca supremației cibernetice, următorul război va fi și ultimul. Va fi sfårsitul acestei planete. Cu toții trebuie să condamnăm războiul, începând de la cea mai mică vârstă posibilă. Cum putem face acest lucru? Un singur cuvânt am de spus: lent”
“Nu este atât de dificil să îi înfrunți pe liderii lumii, cu tot cu armele lor nucleare. Ştii de ce? Pentru cả eu am dreptate. Cum pot eu să mả confrunt cu un tip ca preşedintele? Cu uşurință. Rostind adevărul. Crede în ceea ce faci și nu-ti va fi teamă.”
Few words of wisdom from this book, dar pe departe cele mai interesante. Cititz cartea!
“- Dacă plângi în interiorul tău, ai face bine să râzi la exterior, copilă. Nu are rost să te îneci în propriile lacrimi, răspunde el.”
“- Nu aş putea să o duc mai bine de atât, spune el de fiecare dată când îl întreb. Ştii de ce? Pentru că sunt conştient de alternative.”
“Fericirea pe termen lung vine din împliniri și fiecare om are tipul său de împliniri. Ar putea fi vorba despre un scop măreț, cum ar fi salvarea lumi. Ar putea fi jurământul de a fi mai bun cu cei din jurul tău. Sau ar putea fi vorba despre obiective mici, cum ar fi mersul la plimbare, făcutul temelor sau luatul rufelor de la spălătorie - pe care le poți declara ca fiind realizate în fiecare zi.”
“Bảiete, dacă nu dai tot ce ai mai bun acum, vei regreta tot restul vieții." Am vrut să ies in evidență prin cunoştințele mele, nu prin bogăție. Asta m-a ambiționat.”
“Am supraviețuit războiului printr-un noroc chior. Eram scund, aşa că gloanțele treceau pe deasupra capului meu. Întotdeauna există ceva pozitiv la defectele tale.”
“Nu-ti poți rezolva problemele omorând oameni nevinovați- nu ei sunt cei care trag sforile. Mai ales că, în epoca supremației cibernetice, următorul război va fi și ultimul. Va fi sfårsitul acestei planete. Cu toții trebuie să condamnăm războiul, începând de la cea mai mică vârstă posibilă. Cum putem face acest lucru? Un singur cuvânt am de spus: lent”
“Nu este atât de dificil să îi înfrunți pe liderii lumii, cu tot cu armele lor nucleare. Ştii de ce? Pentru cả eu am dreptate. Cum pot eu să mả confrunt cu un tip ca preşedintele? Cu uşurință. Rostind adevărul. Crede în ceea ce faci și nu-ti va fi teamă.”
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September 8, 2024zo zie je maar weer, koppigheid leidt tot een energiek bestaan. respect voor Benjamins standvastigheid niet te voldoen aan stompzinnige regeltjes, doet me haast denken aan de branie van Annie (Machine Gun) Schmidt.
nou Benny ik zal met liefde kattebelletjes blijven schrijven om waar mogelijk de vaarlandse geschiedenis met ze te verrijken, mocht er eens een keer eentje door de wind worden gegrepen.
nou Benny ik zal met liefde kattebelletjes blijven schrijven om waar mogelijk de vaarlandse geschiedenis met ze te verrijken, mocht er eens een keer eentje door de wind worden gegrepen.
June 27, 2024
Es war so gut, dass ich bis 2 Uhr früh wach war, um es zu beenden.
Ich habe viele Sätze markiert und ich denke, dass jeder, der dieses Buch liest, etwas lernt.
Ich habe viele Sätze markiert und ich denke, dass jeder, der dieses Buch liest, etwas lernt.
September 25, 2024
desperately needed the breath of fresh air and hope. he lived a beautiful life, a life full of tragedy but he got the last laugh i would say! thank u, ben. (the only problem i had was the mention of isr@el but anyway!)
July 16, 2021
Breve biografía del último fiscal vivo de los juicios de Nuremberg. El libro no se centra ni de los juicios ni nos va a aburrir con detalles insignificantes de su vida.
El autor nos da una visión positiva de la vida a través de algunas de sus vivencias; la historia es amena, interesante y enriquecedora.
El libro se lee en un rato y es muy instructivo. He comprado hoy dos libros para regalo. A ti que te pillo mas lejos, te lo recomiendo encarecidamente.
El autor nos da una visión positiva de la vida a través de algunas de sus vivencias; la historia es amena, interesante y enriquecedora.
El libro se lee en un rato y es muy instructivo. He comprado hoy dos libros para regalo. A ti que te pillo mas lejos, te lo recomiendo encarecidamente.
December 21, 2023
Impressive life story that I didn't know beforehand
I would have loved to read more about Benjamin Ferencz's life and achievements on international law and else (which I will probably do anyway)
I agree with the given advice and it was nice to hear it but the book did not move me as much as I thought it would.
Still a good read and very inspirational story
I would have loved to read more about Benjamin Ferencz's life and achievements on international law and else (which I will probably do anyway)
I agree with the given advice and it was nice to hear it but the book did not move me as much as I thought it would.
Still a good read and very inspirational story
January 1, 2021
Such a wonderful book. It inspires as well as being thoughtful.
April 18, 2021
Whoever wants to fall in love with this slim but wise book, should definitely check out the documentaries about Ferencz first for context. What an inspiring life!
March 30, 2024
Zu dem Buch:
Benjamin Ferencz wurde am 11.03.1920 im früheren Transsilvanien geboren.
Nur wenige Monate alt, emigrierte er mit seiner Familie in die USA und wuchs daraufhin in New York (Hells Kitchen) auf. Er lernte früh, wie er sich dort anzupassen hatte um nicht derjenige zu sein, welcher unter der Schikane der älteren Kinder zu leiden hatte, aber auch, dass es Ihm missfiel, das Gewalt an der Tagesordnung war.
Dank aufmerksamer Lehrer konnte er eine besser High-School besuchen und entschied sich nach seinem Abschluss am City College für ein Jura Studium in Harvard, welches er, dank eines glücklichen Zufalls der ihn vor der Einberufung rettete, abschließen konnte.
Nach seinem Abschluss meldete er sich 1944 als Soldat und landete mit den alliierten Gruppen in der Normandie.
Im weiteren Verlauf des Krieges ermittelte er hinter den Frontlinien und den befreiten Konzentrationslagern wegen Kriegsverbrechen.
Er war einer der Chefankläger der Nürnberger Prozesse 1946, leitete Bemühungen um die Rückgabe gestohlen Eigentums an Holocaust-Überlebende und nahm an den Reparationsverhandlungen zwischen der BRD und dem Staat Israel teil.
Ebenso war er an der Etablierung des Internationalen Strafgerichtshofs in Den Haag maßgeblich beteiligt.
Meine Gedanken:
Den Namen Benjamin Ferencz hatte ich vorher im Zusammenhang mit den Nürnberger Prozessen zur Schulzeit das erste Mal gehört, im Anschluss aber, zumindest soweit ich mich erinnern kann, nicht mehr. Einfach aufgrund der Tatsache, dass ich mich nicht im Detail mit den Anklägern der Nürnberger Prozesse oder auch der Gründung des Strafgerichtshofes auseinander gesetzt habe.
Nun über Ihn und seinen Lebensweg zu lesen, Ihn durch die verschiedenen Etappen seines Lebens zu begleiten und aus dem gelesenen Lektionen für die Welt, und auch für mich selbst ziehen zu können, hat mich zutiefst beeindruckt.
Seine Einstellung der Welt und vor allem dem Thema Krieg gegenüber finde ich inspirierend und sollte, vor allem in der heutigen Zeit, bei so viel mehr Menschen gehör finden.
Wie er im Buch erwähnt, der nächste Krieg wird vermutlich unser letzter sein.
Die von ihm pro Kapitel gefassten Lektionen zeigen zu einem deutlich, dass er aus seinen Erlebnissen lernen musste/konnte und versucht Sie an uns weiterzugeben.
Ich habe mich sehr gefreut, dass er seine optimistische Einstellung seit seiner Kindheit bewahren konnte, trotz der schrecklichen Erlebnisse, welche er in seinem Leben machen musste.
Ein unglaublich Inspirierender Mann!!
Zum einen ein gerechter Anwalt mit dem Ziel den Leuten, welchen Unrecht getan wurde, zu helfen, und zum weiteren ein liebevoller Ehemann und Vater.
Benjamin Ferencz starb am 07.04.2023 mit 103 Jahren.
Mein kurzes Fazit daher: Unbedingte Leseempfehlung!!
Benjamin Ferencz wurde am 11.03.1920 im früheren Transsilvanien geboren.
Nur wenige Monate alt, emigrierte er mit seiner Familie in die USA und wuchs daraufhin in New York (Hells Kitchen) auf. Er lernte früh, wie er sich dort anzupassen hatte um nicht derjenige zu sein, welcher unter der Schikane der älteren Kinder zu leiden hatte, aber auch, dass es Ihm missfiel, das Gewalt an der Tagesordnung war.
Dank aufmerksamer Lehrer konnte er eine besser High-School besuchen und entschied sich nach seinem Abschluss am City College für ein Jura Studium in Harvard, welches er, dank eines glücklichen Zufalls der ihn vor der Einberufung rettete, abschließen konnte.
Nach seinem Abschluss meldete er sich 1944 als Soldat und landete mit den alliierten Gruppen in der Normandie.
Im weiteren Verlauf des Krieges ermittelte er hinter den Frontlinien und den befreiten Konzentrationslagern wegen Kriegsverbrechen.
Er war einer der Chefankläger der Nürnberger Prozesse 1946, leitete Bemühungen um die Rückgabe gestohlen Eigentums an Holocaust-Überlebende und nahm an den Reparationsverhandlungen zwischen der BRD und dem Staat Israel teil.
Ebenso war er an der Etablierung des Internationalen Strafgerichtshofs in Den Haag maßgeblich beteiligt.
Meine Gedanken:
Den Namen Benjamin Ferencz hatte ich vorher im Zusammenhang mit den Nürnberger Prozessen zur Schulzeit das erste Mal gehört, im Anschluss aber, zumindest soweit ich mich erinnern kann, nicht mehr. Einfach aufgrund der Tatsache, dass ich mich nicht im Detail mit den Anklägern der Nürnberger Prozesse oder auch der Gründung des Strafgerichtshofes auseinander gesetzt habe.
Nun über Ihn und seinen Lebensweg zu lesen, Ihn durch die verschiedenen Etappen seines Lebens zu begleiten und aus dem gelesenen Lektionen für die Welt, und auch für mich selbst ziehen zu können, hat mich zutiefst beeindruckt.
Seine Einstellung der Welt und vor allem dem Thema Krieg gegenüber finde ich inspirierend und sollte, vor allem in der heutigen Zeit, bei so viel mehr Menschen gehör finden.
Wie er im Buch erwähnt, der nächste Krieg wird vermutlich unser letzter sein.
Die von ihm pro Kapitel gefassten Lektionen zeigen zu einem deutlich, dass er aus seinen Erlebnissen lernen musste/konnte und versucht Sie an uns weiterzugeben.
Ich habe mich sehr gefreut, dass er seine optimistische Einstellung seit seiner Kindheit bewahren konnte, trotz der schrecklichen Erlebnisse, welche er in seinem Leben machen musste.
Ein unglaublich Inspirierender Mann!!
Zum einen ein gerechter Anwalt mit dem Ziel den Leuten, welchen Unrecht getan wurde, zu helfen, und zum weiteren ein liebevoller Ehemann und Vater.
Benjamin Ferencz starb am 07.04.2023 mit 103 Jahren.
Mein kurzes Fazit daher: Unbedingte Leseempfehlung!!
October 30, 2021
Parting Words is the true story of Benjamin Ferencz in his own words he is one of the last survivors of WW2, he is now 100 years old.
He was the led prosecutor of many of the Nazis who played a huge part in the most unnamable atrocities this world had ever lived, but at the same time, he show us his kindness and how he always had love and hope no matter what he was against.
Parting words is more of life lessons that Benjamin shared with us, how we need to keep on moving with our lives no matter what, the past is not our present or our future the past is just a story that has helped us to move forward and grow but that shouldn't define us. that's what I keep hearing between the lines of this amazing book.
The starting years of Ben weren't easy, he didn't have any money and was living under the conditions many of the Immigrants lived in at that time. but like many of those immigrants, he was able to prove them wrong and get a scholarship for one of the most prestigious colleges in the country and also in the world.
I really enjoy Parting words, I think Benjamin live a great life, full of love, in love with his wife since they were just kids. he really is an example for many and I think this book without giving too much away deserves to be read and to be heard and shared. we constantly complain about what we dont have or what doesn't make us happy when Benjamin shows us how everything we need and want is already inside of us.
Great book, Great Biographies & Memoirs I really enjoy it!
He was the led prosecutor of many of the Nazis who played a huge part in the most unnamable atrocities this world had ever lived, but at the same time, he show us his kindness and how he always had love and hope no matter what he was against.
Parting words is more of life lessons that Benjamin shared with us, how we need to keep on moving with our lives no matter what, the past is not our present or our future the past is just a story that has helped us to move forward and grow but that shouldn't define us. that's what I keep hearing between the lines of this amazing book.
The starting years of Ben weren't easy, he didn't have any money and was living under the conditions many of the Immigrants lived in at that time. but like many of those immigrants, he was able to prove them wrong and get a scholarship for one of the most prestigious colleges in the country and also in the world.
I really enjoy Parting words, I think Benjamin live a great life, full of love, in love with his wife since they were just kids. he really is an example for many and I think this book without giving too much away deserves to be read and to be heard and shared. we constantly complain about what we dont have or what doesn't make us happy when Benjamin shows us how everything we need and want is already inside of us.
Great book, Great Biographies & Memoirs I really enjoy it!
August 3, 2021
Pairing back such an industrious life and intellect into 160 pages of aphorism is no mean feat, yet on the basis we are born with nothing and leave with nothing this distillation is a neat and clever exit strategy and will probably be read far more widely than the volumes that went into the pot still. For a man exposed to all the horrors one can imagine, I liked that Ferencz was less stoic and more pragmatic in his approach to getting it done. The past cannot be changed but the future can be shaped and improved. Nuremburg was accountability, not revenge, at least in the mind of Ferencz. The book skips freely over his elevation to chief prosecutor in the trials but what stands out is his belief in his own intellect and courage in plain speaking to those in positions above him. I was left with the impression that Ferencz must have been incredibly knowledgeable and that was his ace up the sleeve, he was smarter than the people around him. That is what makes this reduction so interesting in that it really does all come back to simple truths, and here they are well told.
September 3, 2025
4.5 stars. Reread. A quick, remarkable read. Jewish immigrant, lived in poverty, got through law school, WW2 soldier, headed the Nuremberg trials, renowned human rights lawyer, and he's sharing his top tips on how to live a better life. What's not to love. This should be taught in schools.
February 2, 2021
Get your kids to listen to this. Now.
January 17, 2021
If I could give this book more stars I would. This book was a beautiful read, filled with lots of little reminders in how to live a better, happier, more fulfilled life whatever you do.
May 25, 2023
I love this guy and his brain, too.
One of his parting words is "Read to be inspired," and I'm definitely inspired after reading this.
One of his parting words is "Read to be inspired," and I'm definitely inspired after reading this.
March 4, 2023
We have failed to realize that you cannot kill an ideology with a gun. We think that if we go in and kill half of the enemy, then we're going to be victorious. That's idiotic thinking. ... You cannot solve your problems by killing innocent people- they aren't the ones pulling the strings. Especially as, in the cyberspace age, the next war will be the last war. It will be the end of this planet. We must all condemn war, beginning at the earliest possible age. How can we do it? One word: slowly.
I was very glad to look up the author and find he's still alive and kicking, about to be 103 years old.
As a born and bred German, I'm pretty confident in saying that I have to thank Ferencz among others for the way we are taught about Nazi ideology and the Second World War. The atrocities that were committed by our relatives or ancestors or, at the very least, the relatives or ancestors of friends and acquaintances have not been allowed to be forgotten or forgiven. Maybe I'm one of the lucky ones who had history teachers adamant to make us aware that while we were not to blame, it was very important for us to know what people can do, can be made to do and will come up with to elevate themselves above others. How harmful ideologies are and that it's always important to question orders and to question people who demand blind faith and are absolutely certain they are the only ones telling the truth- and the only ones who matter.
Obviously I wasn't alive during the war and don't have relatives who could give me first hand accounts, but I'm glad to see that even though we've lived very different lives, the people in mine made sure I'd grow up with the morality of one of the people who was so important for the Nuremberg trials and even had a hand in Germany paying reparations to the families and countries most affected by the genocide on Jews.
Ferencz touches on many different "lessons" in this short little book, but the ones about his time in the war and afterward simply affected me the most given where and how I've grown up. He's definitely a very interesting man with moving and important stories to tell. Condensing those into these "lessons" didn't take anything from them and I'd definitely recommend this book pretty much universally. His "lessons" are applicable to most people, I think, and even if not directly you can certainly learn something anyway. Also the cover is absolutely stunning and I'm very sad I got a very used edition. I'll just tell myself it was well loved beforehand, which it definitely deserves to have been.
Given the current climate of the world and the ongoing war in the Ukraine, the quote at the top of my review really spoke to me. We grow up with action movies and fantastical stories of heroes fighting and fighting and winning wars when we should actually grow up on stories like The Hunger Games and have our first school be one named after Anne Frank and be told that this little girl, just like you are at that point in time, was killed because someone else decided her "ethnicity" (which no one will have explained to you at this point, people are just people to you) shouldn't exist. We should grow up learning about PTSD and death and have nurses and doctors tell us of the horrors they've seen so we don't romanticize and sterilize one of the worst things that can happen to people. In my opinion, we're doing the exact opposite nowadays, we won't let children/teens see blood or ripped off body parts or violence or dead bodies when it's in a real setting because that would be disturbing, but we let them watch movies about how great the (US-American) military is and TV shows where they show people being tortured and women being raped and play video games where you fight in a war without ever truly getting hurt. What has that done to improve our morality? To make us more sympathetic towards other people? Absolutely nothing, I'd argue it has done the absolute opposite. It makes me very sad to think that this impressive man has been living for almost 103 years and is watching us learn so little about the horrors he personally lived through and worked so hard to help us overcome.
I was very glad to look up the author and find he's still alive and kicking, about to be 103 years old.
As a born and bred German, I'm pretty confident in saying that I have to thank Ferencz among others for the way we are taught about Nazi ideology and the Second World War. The atrocities that were committed by our relatives or ancestors or, at the very least, the relatives or ancestors of friends and acquaintances have not been allowed to be forgotten or forgiven. Maybe I'm one of the lucky ones who had history teachers adamant to make us aware that while we were not to blame, it was very important for us to know what people can do, can be made to do and will come up with to elevate themselves above others. How harmful ideologies are and that it's always important to question orders and to question people who demand blind faith and are absolutely certain they are the only ones telling the truth- and the only ones who matter.
Obviously I wasn't alive during the war and don't have relatives who could give me first hand accounts, but I'm glad to see that even though we've lived very different lives, the people in mine made sure I'd grow up with the morality of one of the people who was so important for the Nuremberg trials and even had a hand in Germany paying reparations to the families and countries most affected by the genocide on Jews.
Ferencz touches on many different "lessons" in this short little book, but the ones about his time in the war and afterward simply affected me the most given where and how I've grown up. He's definitely a very interesting man with moving and important stories to tell. Condensing those into these "lessons" didn't take anything from them and I'd definitely recommend this book pretty much universally. His "lessons" are applicable to most people, I think, and even if not directly you can certainly learn something anyway. Also the cover is absolutely stunning and I'm very sad I got a very used edition. I'll just tell myself it was well loved beforehand, which it definitely deserves to have been.
Given the current climate of the world and the ongoing war in the Ukraine, the quote at the top of my review really spoke to me. We grow up with action movies and fantastical stories of heroes fighting and fighting and winning wars when we should actually grow up on stories like The Hunger Games and have our first school be one named after Anne Frank and be told that this little girl, just like you are at that point in time, was killed because someone else decided her "ethnicity" (which no one will have explained to you at this point, people are just people to you) shouldn't exist. We should grow up learning about PTSD and death and have nurses and doctors tell us of the horrors they've seen so we don't romanticize and sterilize one of the worst things that can happen to people. In my opinion, we're doing the exact opposite nowadays, we won't let children/teens see blood or ripped off body parts or violence or dead bodies when it's in a real setting because that would be disturbing, but we let them watch movies about how great the (US-American) military is and TV shows where they show people being tortured and women being raped and play video games where you fight in a war without ever truly getting hurt. What has that done to improve our morality? To make us more sympathetic towards other people? Absolutely nothing, I'd argue it has done the absolute opposite. It makes me very sad to think that this impressive man has been living for almost 103 years and is watching us learn so little about the horrors he personally lived through and worked so hard to help us overcome.
January 5, 2021
The man is an absolute legend. The things he achieved, just thinking for himself and speaking truth to power... I want to give him a hug on behalf of humanity. I hope that, somehow, he feels that.
January 6, 2023
Beste Lektüre zum neuen Jahr – und zu jedem neuen Jahr!
Benjamin Ferencz, „Sag immer deine Wahrheit“
»Politiker und ihre Anhänger, die sagen, ihr Land sei das größte – oder die sich wünschen, dass ihr Land das größte ist –, sind Kleingeister. Das Größte ist entweder eine Welt, in der wir alle friedlich koexistieren können, oder gar nichts. Menschen, denen nur ihre eigene Nation am Herzen liegt, klingen wie Kinder, die sich über ihre jeweilige Ecke auf dem Spielplatz streiten.
Und Menschen, die sagen, eine geeinte Welt sei nicht möglich, fehlt entweder die Vorstellungskraft oder sie profitieren vom Status quo.«
sagt der letzte noch lebende Staatsanwalt der Nürnberger Prozesse
Seine Einstellung zu Politik, (Un-)Gerechtigkeit, und seinem eigenen Leben sind eine Schatzkiste für jede*n:
»I’m always doing fantastic« he tells me … when I call him, … » You know why? Because I’m 97 years old and I’m aware of the alternatives.«
sagte Ferencz vor fünf Jahren, heute ist er 102 und sagt sicher noch dasselbe.
https://amp.theguardian.com/law/2017/...
Der Artikel im Guardian von Nadia Khomami über Benjamin Ferencz fand eine so überwältigende und positive Aufmerksamkeit, dass eine Buchpublikation zu den Gesprächen zwischen Khomani und Ferencz folgte, „Sag immer deine Wahrheit“ auf Deutsch, in der Originalausgabe (2020, Großbritannien): „Parting Words; 9 Lessons for a Remarkable Life“
Hier weitere Fundstücke:
»Erstens: Gib niemals auf.
Zweitens: Gib niemals auf.
Drittens: Gib niemals auf.«
Diese Maxime trage ich stets in mir.«
S. 21
»Das ist die erste und wichtigste Lektion: wenn du einen großen Traum hast – sei es ein Berufswechsel, die Gründung einer Wohltätigkeitsorganisation, fit zu werden, dich auf eine neue Stelle zu bewerben oder einen Berg zu besteigen –, lass dich nicht von der Tatsache abhalten, dass andere es nicht geschafft haben oder dass du Hindernisse überwinden musst.«
S. 34f
Aber auch:
»Es ist wichtig, herauszufinden, wofür sich zu kämpfen lohnt und wofür nicht, und wenn eine Verbesserung unmöglich scheint, ist es manchmal sinnvoller, sich einer Situation zu entziehen.«
S. 39f
»Das ist eine Lektion für uns alle: Man kann lernen, wo immer man sich auch befindet. Wenn du einen Film schaust, ein Buch liest, durch eine Straße läufst, ein Gespräch führst - sei nicht passiv. Alles, was du tust, enthält die Gelegenheit, etwas Neues zu lernen, und du weißt nie, wann sich dieses Wissen als nützlich erweisen wird.«
S.45
»Beschwere dich nicht über Widrigkeiten; das wird das Problem nicht lösen und ist daher Zeitverschwendung, und außerdem lernt man unter schwierigen Umständen mehr…«
S. 55
»Und denke daran: Wenn du es nicht schaffst, ein zu-friedenstellendes Ergebnis zu erreichen, kannst du den Stein zumindest ein kleines bisschen weiter den Berg hinaufrollen. Erhöhe den Druck. Schreibe. Lerne. Verbreite deine Botschaft. Gewinne weitere Menschen für dein Anliegen. Gib niemals auf. Eines Tages werden wir am Gipfel angekommen sein.«
S. 142f
Also, auf zur Bibliothek oder auf zum Buchladen!
Viel Spaß beim Lesen!
Benjamin Ferencz, „Sag immer deine Wahrheit“
»Politiker und ihre Anhänger, die sagen, ihr Land sei das größte – oder die sich wünschen, dass ihr Land das größte ist –, sind Kleingeister. Das Größte ist entweder eine Welt, in der wir alle friedlich koexistieren können, oder gar nichts. Menschen, denen nur ihre eigene Nation am Herzen liegt, klingen wie Kinder, die sich über ihre jeweilige Ecke auf dem Spielplatz streiten.
Und Menschen, die sagen, eine geeinte Welt sei nicht möglich, fehlt entweder die Vorstellungskraft oder sie profitieren vom Status quo.«
sagt der letzte noch lebende Staatsanwalt der Nürnberger Prozesse
Seine Einstellung zu Politik, (Un-)Gerechtigkeit, und seinem eigenen Leben sind eine Schatzkiste für jede*n:
»I’m always doing fantastic« he tells me … when I call him, … » You know why? Because I’m 97 years old and I’m aware of the alternatives.«
sagte Ferencz vor fünf Jahren, heute ist er 102 und sagt sicher noch dasselbe.
https://amp.theguardian.com/law/2017/...
Der Artikel im Guardian von Nadia Khomami über Benjamin Ferencz fand eine so überwältigende und positive Aufmerksamkeit, dass eine Buchpublikation zu den Gesprächen zwischen Khomani und Ferencz folgte, „Sag immer deine Wahrheit“ auf Deutsch, in der Originalausgabe (2020, Großbritannien): „Parting Words; 9 Lessons for a Remarkable Life“
Hier weitere Fundstücke:
»Erstens: Gib niemals auf.
Zweitens: Gib niemals auf.
Drittens: Gib niemals auf.«
Diese Maxime trage ich stets in mir.«
S. 21
»Das ist die erste und wichtigste Lektion: wenn du einen großen Traum hast – sei es ein Berufswechsel, die Gründung einer Wohltätigkeitsorganisation, fit zu werden, dich auf eine neue Stelle zu bewerben oder einen Berg zu besteigen –, lass dich nicht von der Tatsache abhalten, dass andere es nicht geschafft haben oder dass du Hindernisse überwinden musst.«
S. 34f
Aber auch:
»Es ist wichtig, herauszufinden, wofür sich zu kämpfen lohnt und wofür nicht, und wenn eine Verbesserung unmöglich scheint, ist es manchmal sinnvoller, sich einer Situation zu entziehen.«
S. 39f
»Das ist eine Lektion für uns alle: Man kann lernen, wo immer man sich auch befindet. Wenn du einen Film schaust, ein Buch liest, durch eine Straße läufst, ein Gespräch führst - sei nicht passiv. Alles, was du tust, enthält die Gelegenheit, etwas Neues zu lernen, und du weißt nie, wann sich dieses Wissen als nützlich erweisen wird.«
S.45
»Beschwere dich nicht über Widrigkeiten; das wird das Problem nicht lösen und ist daher Zeitverschwendung, und außerdem lernt man unter schwierigen Umständen mehr…«
S. 55
»Und denke daran: Wenn du es nicht schaffst, ein zu-friedenstellendes Ergebnis zu erreichen, kannst du den Stein zumindest ein kleines bisschen weiter den Berg hinaufrollen. Erhöhe den Druck. Schreibe. Lerne. Verbreite deine Botschaft. Gewinne weitere Menschen für dein Anliegen. Gib niemals auf. Eines Tages werden wir am Gipfel angekommen sein.«
S. 142f
Also, auf zur Bibliothek oder auf zum Buchladen!
Viel Spaß beim Lesen!
Read
May 5, 2025Melhores trechos: "...Três lições: paciência é uma virtude, boas coisas acontecem àqueles que esperam e, apesar das frustrações e dos ressentimentos, você deve rir quando for possível... Você não precisa aceitar que algo seja verdade só porque alguém em uma posição de autoridade lhe disse que é... Tudo é uma oportunidade de aprendermos algo novo, e nunca se sabe quão útil esse conhecimento será... Há três lições que espero que você aprenda com isso. Primeira: vale a pena fazer algo mesmo que você não esteja mais presente para ver o resultado ou colher as recompensas. É uma atitude nobre querer fazer algo de que outras pessoas se beneficiarão, e deveria ser natural desejar isso aos nossos sucessores. Não me refiro somente a depois que você deixar esta vida; refiro-me ao que ficará depois que você deixar um emprego, uma instituição governamental ou uma escola. Aja pelos interesses das pessoas que herdarão o que você fez. Segunda: nenhum homem é uma ilha. Você não pode fazer tudo. Equipes, comunidades e amigos são cruciais para nosso êxito hoje e sempre. E terceira: não se deixe distrair pela velocidade. Lembre-se da fábula da tartaruga e da lebre. Nem todas as coisas boas podem ser realizadas rapidamente, e ser rápido não garante o sucesso. Lutar por mudanças não me exaure. Se você sente que a recompensa vale a pena, não permita que qualquer coisa com que você se importe o deixe exausto... A vida não é perfeita e quando testemunhamos horrores ou passamos por muitas dificuldades é difícil ser verdadeiramente feliz o tempo todo. Mas podemos encontrar contentamento na realidade..."
July 2, 2021
It should be a prerequisite that all centenarians get given a publishing deal. Any one that gets that far has wisdom to share. An enjoyable read about a remarkable life.
My one wish is that they didn't make bold the lessons that they want you to take away. I took many lessons but want to feel that I extracted them and wasn't force fed them. I'm being knit-picky though.
My one wish is that they didn't make bold the lessons that they want you to take away. I took many lessons but want to feel that I extracted them and wasn't force fed them. I'm being knit-picky though.
January 25, 2021
I would say this is the perfect time to read this book, but any day would be the perfect time to read Parting Words.
Let me give you some context. First, my sister got me addicted to the Criminal podcast with Phoebe Judge (which led to a lot of podcast addictions, thank you very much). Not a bad thing with the wide variety of topics Phoebe covers, I’ve learned a lot. That’s where I discovered the delightful, irrepressible 101 year-old Benjamin B. Ferencz. Next, I read a profile of him on Deutsche Welle News. Then I discovered that he had a book coming out in December.
When anything—one—crosses my path three times, I tend to believe I should do something about it.
This short read is equal parts laughter-evoking and tear-inducing. Words to live by, “This is the first and foremost lesson. If you have a dream, whether it’s to change your career, to found a charity, to get fit, to apply for a new job, or to climb a mountain, don’t let the fact that your peers haven’t done it, or that there are obstacles in your way, hold you back. Man walked on the moon. With the right level of faith and commitment, you can achieve anything you want to.”
What would it take to instill that tidbit in every child? Don’t show them their limitations, show them their possibilities.
I could quote a lot of this book, but would rather advise you to read it. You won’t be disappointed. My parting thoughts on Parting Words, “Long-term happiness comes from fulfillment, which will look different to all of us. It might be having a grand purpose, like saving the world. It might be a vow to be kinder to those around you.” At sixty years my senior, I’m taking Mr. Ferencz’s words to heart.
Let me give you some context. First, my sister got me addicted to the Criminal podcast with Phoebe Judge (which led to a lot of podcast addictions, thank you very much). Not a bad thing with the wide variety of topics Phoebe covers, I’ve learned a lot. That’s where I discovered the delightful, irrepressible 101 year-old Benjamin B. Ferencz. Next, I read a profile of him on Deutsche Welle News. Then I discovered that he had a book coming out in December.
When anything—one—crosses my path three times, I tend to believe I should do something about it.
This short read is equal parts laughter-evoking and tear-inducing. Words to live by, “This is the first and foremost lesson. If you have a dream, whether it’s to change your career, to found a charity, to get fit, to apply for a new job, or to climb a mountain, don’t let the fact that your peers haven’t done it, or that there are obstacles in your way, hold you back. Man walked on the moon. With the right level of faith and commitment, you can achieve anything you want to.”
What would it take to instill that tidbit in every child? Don’t show them their limitations, show them their possibilities.
I could quote a lot of this book, but would rather advise you to read it. You won’t be disappointed. My parting thoughts on Parting Words, “Long-term happiness comes from fulfillment, which will look different to all of us. It might be having a grand purpose, like saving the world. It might be a vow to be kinder to those around you.” At sixty years my senior, I’m taking Mr. Ferencz’s words to heart.
March 29, 2022
Este libro ofrece la sabiduría de una vida vivida con honestidad y amor, mucho amor... Y coraje.
January 4, 2021
Disappointing
This man seems to have had an interesting life, but unfortunately lacks the skills to write about it. The book reads like a secondary school homework project, and the ‘advice’ within on how to have a remarkable life is basic stuff, not what I expected from someone who lived the life he lived. The advice he gives is the kind of advice given by someone who thinks they have wisdom, rather than has it. I think this would have been better written by an experienced biographical writer.
This man seems to have had an interesting life, but unfortunately lacks the skills to write about it. The book reads like a secondary school homework project, and the ‘advice’ within on how to have a remarkable life is basic stuff, not what I expected from someone who lived the life he lived. The advice he gives is the kind of advice given by someone who thinks they have wisdom, rather than has it. I think this would have been better written by an experienced biographical writer.
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