A Lucky Child: A Memoir of Surviving Auschwitz as a Young Boy

Thomas Buergenthal arrived at Auschwitz at age ten after surviving two ghettos and a labor camp. Separated first from his mother and then his father, he survived on his own through resourcefulness and fortunate circumstances. Nearly two years after his liberation, he was reunited with his mother and arrived in the United States in 1951 to begin a new life. Buergenthal later served as a Judge in the International Court of Justice in The Hague from 2000 to 2008, dedicating his life to assisting those subjected to tyranny worldwide. This memoir presents his account with direct clarity, detailing the stark realities of extreme hardship. The narrative encompasses narrow escapes, unexpected sources of protection and kindness, and the determination to survive.