The book “Parting Words: 9 Lessons for a Remarkable Life” presents the extraordinary journey of Benjamin Ferencz and his reflections on life. Born in Transylvania in 1920, Ferencz immigrated to the United States when he was just nine months old, grew up in poverty in the neighborhood known as “Hell’s Kitchen” in Manhattan, became a Harvard-educated lawyer, served in World War II, was a prosecutor at the Nuremberg trials, and dedicated his life to international justice.
The work begins with an introduction by journalist Nadia Khomami, who explains how she met Ferencz and decided to share his story. She describes him as a singular figure – the last living prosecutor of the Nuremberg trials, with a motto that summarizes his philosophy: “Law, not war.”
In the first chapter, “On Dreams,” Ferencz recounts his childhood in extreme poverty. Growing up in a damp basement in “Hell’s Kitchen,” he learned early on to survive on his own. Although the neighborhood was dominated by crime and violence, he realized there were two types of people: the honest and the dishonest. His interest in crime prevention was influenced by the film “Angels with Dirty Faces,” which made him question why some people become criminals and others follow more virtuous paths. Ferencz emphasizes that it’s possible to make different choices regardless of circumstances.
In the second chapter, “On Education,” Ferencz describes his irregular educational journey. Due to his small size and lack of English knowledge, he only started attending school at age eight. His intelligence was recognized by his teacher, Miss Connelly, who recommended him for Townsend Harris, a special school for gifted students. After high school, he attended the City College of New York and later Harvard, where he faced fear and overcame challenges to excel academically.
In the third chapter, “On Circumstances,” Ferencz relates how, being short (about 5 feet tall), he frequently suffered physical abuse. This motivated him to seek the best possible education to compete, transforming his physical disadvantage into impetus for success. At Harvard, he noticed the social difference between himself and the wealthier students. While they enjoyed social activities, he lived in a modest attic, always studying or trying to earn enough money to eat. Ferencz explains that the absence of a “safety net” can be an advantage, forcing us to be more ambitious and creative.
In the fourth chapter, “On Life,” Ferencz narrates his experience during World War II. His military career was marked by confrontations not only with the enemy but also with the hierarchy of the American army itself. He participated in important battles such as the Normandy landing and the Battle of the Bulge. Eventually, he was transferred to General Patton’s headquarters to create a war crimes section, investigating murders of captured Allied pilots. The main lesson is that life does not follow a linear path, but rather a winding course with ups and downs that make the journey meaningful.
In the fifth chapter, “On Principles,” Ferencz recounts his experiences visiting concentration camps such as Buchenwald and Mauthausen. He describes horrible scenes of death and inhumanity – piled bodies, skeletal prisoners, functioning crematoria. To endure these horrors, he developed a defense mechanism: he pretended that what he saw wasn’t real, while simultaneously focusing on collecting evidence and identifying those responsible. A landmark moment was when a prisoner who worked in the office at Buchenwald gave Ferencz notebooks of SS members that he had secretly preserved, risking his own life. Ferencz also addresses the danger of revenge, emphasizing the importance of justice over personal retribution.
In the sixth chapter, “On Truth,” Ferencz relates how he discovered reports documenting mass crimes perpetrated by the Einsatzgruppen, Nazi extermination squads. At just 27 years old and with no previous experience as a lawyer, he became the lead prosecutor in what he called “the biggest murder trial in human history.” During the trial, he confronted the main defendant, Otto Ohlendorf, whose unit had murdered approximately 70,000 Jews. Ohlendorf defended his actions claiming they were carried out in preventive self-defense – an argument that Ferencz observes is still used today by world leaders. The central message is the importance of telling the truth, even when it seems no one is listening.
In the seventh chapter, “On Love,” Ferencz tells the story of his marriage to Gertrude, his teenage sweetheart. They met when he was still in high school – he thought she was “immature” and she considered him a “silly boy.” However, they developed a relationship based on common interests, particularly the love of knowledge. During the war, they kept in touch through letters. After getting married, they faced together the challenges of establishing a life in the post-war period, had four children in five years, and built a solid family life. Gertrude passed away in September 2019, after 74 years of marriage “without a single argument.” This chapter emphasizes that, despite the importance of work, personal relationships are fundamental to a fulfilling life.
In the eighth chapter, “On Resistance,” Ferencz discusses his efforts on behalf of international justice after Nuremberg. A significant project was negotiating reparations for survivors of Nazi persecution – something unprecedented in history. Subsequently, he dedicated himself to creating a permanent international criminal court. Although many considered this goal impossible, he persevered for decades, culminating in the signing of the Rome Statute in 1998 and the creation of the International Criminal Court in 2002. The message of this chapter is the importance of perseverance in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles and the need to understand that significant changes occur slowly.
In the ninth chapter, “On the Future,” Ferencz offers practical advice based on his more than one hundred years of experience. He talks about physical health, the importance of good nutrition and adequate sleep. This is followed by a series of observations about finding contentment in reality; reading inspiring books; keeping “fire in your belly”; creating your own trends; being prepared for the unpredictability of the future; using money wisely; seeing failure as a temporary obstacle; valuing integrity, affection, and tolerance; and not taking yourself too seriously. He concludes with a reflection on a photograph of himself and his wife in a frame inscribed “forever,” reminding us of the importance of carrying with us the love of those we cherish.
Ferencz’s journey offers profound lessons on resilience, justice, and humanity. Born in extreme poverty and facing adversity from an early age, he developed a remarkable ability to see opportunities where others saw only obstacles. His educational experience underlines how knowledge can be a path to social mobility, even with scarce resources. World War II and his work in concentration camps revealed to him the extremes of human cruelty, but also extraordinary acts of courage. As a prosecutor at Nuremberg, Ferencz faced fundamental questions of justice and responsibility after mass crimes, rejecting revenge in favor of legal principles. His work on reparations for Holocaust victims and in creating the International Criminal Court demonstrates his conviction in the progressive evolution of humanity and his vision that conflicts should be resolved through law, not war. Despite witnessing the worst of humanity, Ferencz maintained a sense of humor and ability to find joy in small things. His longevity (101 years at the time of publication) provides a unique perspective on historical progress, balancing recognition of current injustices with appreciation of gradual improvements.
Ferencz’s legacy resides not only in his concrete achievements but in his demonstration of how an individual, acting with principles and persistence, can influence the course of history even when starting from the most unlikely circumstances. His life illustrates how the transformative power of dreams, education, principles, and perseverance can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, offering an inspiring model for anyone who aspires to a meaningful existence in a complex world.