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A Lucky Child: A Memoir of Surviving Auschwitz as a Young Boy Audiobook
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(4.01) - 2,034 listener ratings
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Thomas Buergenthal, now a Judge in the International Court of Justice in The Hague, tells his astonishing experiences as a young boy in his memoir A LUCKY CHILD. He arrived at Auschwitz at age 10 after surviving two ghettos and a labor camp. Separated first from his mother and then his father, Buergenthal managed by his wits and some remarkable strokes of luck to survive on his own. Almost two years after his liberation, Buergenthal was miraculously reunited with his mother and in 1951 arrived in the U.S. to start a new life. Now dedicated to helping those subjected to tyranny throughout the world, Buergenthal writes his story with a simple clarity that highlights the stark details of unimaginable hardship. A LUCKY CHILD is an audiobook that demands to be heard by all.
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"As the subtitle indicates, this is a memoir of a Holocaust survivor. It was written relatively recently, and the forward explains that so many years have passed that in some way Thomas feels emotionally detached from the events he describes. In fact, all of his time at Auschwitz is described in a mere 20 pages. The detachment in the writing made me feel more detached from his story than I have typically felt when reading Holocaust-related materials. However, I believe that this story is valuable and unique in that it describes more fully than most the days after liberation, when Thomas, as a very young child, was suddenly free, but alone in Poland with no way of knowing if any of his family had survived, and no way of reaching Germany to find out. Pretty gripping stuff."
— Alexis (4 out of 5 stars)
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“The unsentimental tone of Buergenthal’s writing magnifies his deliberate decision not to make melodrama out of a story that is plenty dramatic enough. Like Primo Levi and Anne Frank, Buergenthal can only tell the story of one life, but through that life we are led to consider and honor all the lives of those who weren’t so lucky.”
— Kate Braestrup, New York Times bestselling author of Here If You Need Me -
“Thomas Buergenthal is not your average misery memoirist…What he has to say, both in bearing witness to the Holocaust and in describing his moral coming-to-adulthood, deserves our attention…His is an extraordinary story and he tells it straight.”
— Daily Mail (London) -
“It is the detachment of distance, coupled with the author’s gracious spirit, that steers the prose away from self-pity or anger…It is was makes this memoir so rewarding: in the darkness, the indomitable spirit of the child.”
— Telegraph (London) -
“A remarkable, sometimes astonishing story of finding protection and kindness from unlikely sources, uncanny narrow escapes, and a powerfully strong will to live.”
— Atlanta Journal-Constitution -
“Buergenthal’s authentic, moving tale reveals that his lifelong commitment to human rights sprang from the ashes of Auschwitz.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“The clear, nonhectoring prose makes Buergenthal’s personal story—and the enduring ethical questions it prompts—the stuff of a fast, gripping read.”
— Booklist -
“The author’s story if astonishing and moving, and his capacity for forgiveness is remarkably heartening. An important new voice joins the chorus of survivors.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“A Lucky Child is an extraordinary story, simply and beautifully told. Heartbreaking and thrilling, it examines what it means to be human, in every good and awful sense. Perhaps most amazingly of all, Thomas Buergenthal remembers and renders the small mysteries and grand passions of childhood, even a childhood lived under the most horrific circumstances.”
— Elizabeth McCracken, author of An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination
A Lucky Child Listener Reviews
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" Nice to hear history from a child's point of view rather than adult. "
— Katie, 2/17/2014 -
" Incredible and, at times, unbelievable story of a young boys survival. "
— Amanda, 2/11/2014 -
" An awe-inspiring memoir! Buergenthal's journey is unbelievable, and to have such a clear and substantial account of the Holocaust and concentration camps from a child is incredibly unique. Written by a very wise grown-up, Buergenthal consistently provides insights and reflections on his memories. Inspires a strong conviction to defend and love humanity. "
— MaryChantel, 2/9/2014 -
" Profound. Sobering. "
— Gloria, 2/9/2014 -
" For some reason, I'm on a WWII survivor kick. "
— Hybridmobile, 1/24/2014 -
" Very good book. Especially interesting after you have seen the sites. Bought this book while at Sachensenhausen. "
— Emily, 1/20/2014 -
" Well, what can you give this memoir but five stars. Everyone should read this memoir about Mr. Buergenthal's life during the Holocaust and his time spent in the concentration camps. When I read books like this, I always seem to find out more and more atrocities. And I find what Mr. Buergenthal did with this life even more hopeful and inspiring. I wish I could shake his hand. A must read. "
— Theresa, 1/15/2014 -
" A wonderful story of one child's survival of horror to become a man of honor. Very engrossing, an amazing story. "
— Kathleen, 1/5/2014 -
" Heartbreaking. It's incredible to believe how this child could survived this atrocities. Certainly, Thomas Buergenthal was a lucky child. "
— Jessica, 12/25/2013 -
" This was a fascinating, true account of an amazing survival story. Important to read. "
— Rebecca, 12/10/2013 -
" After reading this, all I can think is how lucky he truly was. I liked this book because it wasn't as graphic as some other Holocaust books and didn't dwell on events too much. I also liked hearing about his life post-war, and how his experienced shaped his life. "
— Sara, 12/1/2013 -
" I loved this book. Aside from Anne Franks diary I have not read any other Holocost books. This book sent chills down my body, I can't believe the life he lived as a child. If you like memoirs I would recommend this book. "
— Krystal, 11/28/2013 -
" With today's political/ethnic tensions around the world, it's important to read about what happens when things go too far and how one man coped with it's aftermath. "
— Laura, 11/16/2013 -
" Could not put down this book particularly after visit to Auschwitz this summer. "
— Catherine, 11/7/2013 -
" I really enjoyed reading this book. I expected it to be very difficult, but it was easy to read. It was good to hear of all the good people in spite of the horrific circumstances. "
— Annie, 11/5/2013 -
" A quick read, but good! "
— Kelli, 9/28/2013 -
" A terrific story of survival. Wow! "
— Tracy, 9/13/2013 -
" I liked this book because it was honest, but the author did not wallow in the misery he suffered. After all he went through, he is still optimistic and committed to working on international human rights. "
— Cathy, 8/31/2013 -
" Such a great, great memoir. "
— Julie, 7/17/2013 -
" This was a well written book showing the views of the holocaust through a young boy. I found it refreshing to read not only how this young boy survived auschwitz, but also the people who affected him and how they affected who he became. "
— Heather, 5/7/2013 -
" A good but short Holocaust book. I am glad that Thomas Buergenthal's story was finally published in English although he was told that Holocaust books don't sell which I find hard to believe since I read several each year. "
— Angie, 1/21/2013 -
" Unbelievable that anybody survived the Holocaust. "
— Dawn, 10/10/2012 -
" Fantastic and inspiring story. The writing is not spectacular but the story makes up for it. "
— Liz, 10/5/2012
About Thomas Buergenthal
Thomas Buergenthal served for more than ten years as the American judge on the International Court of Justice in The Hague before returning to the United States in September 2010. He is a former president of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and former member of the UN Human Rights Committee. A recipient of the Gruber Foundation International Justice Prize and member of the Ethics Commission of the International Olympic Committee, he has been reappointed professor of international law and human rights at the George Washington University Law School, where he had taught before his election to the ICJ.
About Thomas Buergenthal
Don Hagen has been behind the microphone since fifth grade. He is a nine-time winner of the Peer Award for narration/voice-over and twice winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award. He has also been heard in radio and television commercials and documentaries. In addition to his freelance voice work, he is a member of the audiobook narration team at the Library of Congress.