Historical
![Eddie Jaku - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B08FBYXQGS.jpg)
The Happiest Man on Earth: The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor
A New York Times Bestseller
In this uplifting memoir in the vein of The Last Lecture and Man's Search for Meaning, a Holocaust survivor pays tribute to those who were lost by telling his story, sharing his wisdom, and living his best possible life.
Born in Leipzig, Germany, into a Jewish family, Eddie Jaku was a teenager when his world was turned upside-down. On November 9, 1938, during the terrifying violence of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, Eddie was beaten by SS thugs, arrested, and sent to a concentration camp with thousands of other Jews across Germany. Every day of the next seven years of his life, Eddie faced unimaginable horrors in Buchenwald, Auschwitz, and finally on a forced death march during the Third Reich's final days. The Nazis took everything from Eddie-his family, his friends, and his country. But they did not break his spirit.
Against unbelievable odds, Eddie found the will to survive. Overwhelming grateful, he made a promise: he would smile every day in thanks for the precious gift he was given and to honor the six million Jews murdered by Hitler. Today, at 100 years of age, despite all he suffered, Eddie calls himself the "happiest man on earth." In his remarkable memoir, this born storyteller shares his wisdom and reflects on how he has led his best possible life, talking warmly and openly about the power of gratitude, tolerance, and kindness. Life can be beautiful if you make it beautiful. With The Happiest Man on Earth, Eddie shows us how.
Filled with his insights on friendship, family, health, ethics, love, and hatred, and the simple beliefs that have shaped him, The Happiest Man on Earth offers timeless lessons for readers of all ages, especially for young people today.
In this uplifting memoir in the vein of The Last Lecture and Man's Search for Meaning, a Holocaust survivor pays tribute to those who were lost by telling his story, sharing his wisdom, and living his best possible life.
Born in Leipzig, Germany, into a Jewish family, Eddie Jaku was a teenager when his world was turned upside-down. On November 9, 1938, during the terrifying violence of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, Eddie was beaten by SS thugs, arrested, and sent to a concentration camp with thousands of other Jews across Germany. Every day of the next seven years of his life, Eddie faced unimaginable horrors in Buchenwald, Auschwitz, and finally on a forced death march during the Third Reich's final days. The Nazis took everything from Eddie-his family, his friends, and his country. But they did not break his spirit.
Against unbelievable odds, Eddie found the will to survive. Overwhelming grateful, he made a promise: he would smile every day in thanks for the precious gift he was given and to honor the six million Jews murdered by Hitler. Today, at 100 years of age, despite all he suffered, Eddie calls himself the "happiest man on earth." In his remarkable memoir, this born storyteller shares his wisdom and reflects on how he has led his best possible life, talking warmly and openly about the power of gratitude, tolerance, and kindness. Life can be beautiful if you make it beautiful. With The Happiest Man on Earth, Eddie shows us how.
Filled with his insights on friendship, family, health, ethics, love, and hatred, and the simple beliefs that have shaped him, The Happiest Man on Earth offers timeless lessons for readers of all ages, especially for young people today.
Editorial Reviews
"A beautifully told, poignant story that should become required reading. Thank you, Eddie, for sharing your story of courage, resilience, kindness and love. Your book is our tonic, our medicine, our hope for living the happiest life we can." -- Heather Morris, #1 New York Times Bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Readers Top Reviews
Katie SpeckKindle J
Wow. Wow, wow, wow. Anyone over the age of 12 should read this book. Anyone younger should have a parent/guardian read this and explain it to them and teach their children that THIS is how we’re supposed to act! Hate gets you nowhere, kindness gets you anywhere you want. This book will make you feel as if you’ve just sat in the living room with Eddie while he tells you his whole life story over tea. It’s a quick-read (I’m a slow reader and did it in one sitting, 4 hours) but it is by no means an easy-read. Mr Jaku, his family, and writers have done such a remarkable job in leaving each chapter with the undying message that Hope Conquers All. Here is a man I would be honored to meet, and after reading his book I somewhat feel like that’s happened. We cannot begin to know what the survivors of the Holocaust and every other genocide of this world feel. The guilt, the despair, the anger... but to understand that these are the souls who ensure future generations know what happened - and they choose to LOVE despite the horrors they know people are capable of... My god - what a gift to have. Shame on us if we fail to listen and change our behavior.
AMC
What a privilege to read this account of such a gentle and loving human being. So brave, so humble, such an inspiration. His story is told in such a gentle way, free of self pity despite the horrors he lived through and is so easy to read. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful man amongst us. Read it in one sitting, could not put it down. Thankyou Eddie, thankyou.
Wow what a heartbreaking and heartwarming true survivors experience of the Holocaust. We should never ever forget the atrocities of a nation against a religion. It’s so important we read and share these accounts so they cannot be dismissed as fantasy. Their memories deserve better.
mariapezzano
I would give anything to meet this man! What a beautiful soul. So much courage. I cried several times when reading this book...his pain of loss of his family and the hell he had to endure... He writes with such love and positivity. Please read this book...you will treasure and you will never forget his inspirational story .Here's to MY new friend Eddie Jaku. God bless you xx
Mihyon S. Humphrey
I choose this book to read because of its title, The Happiest Man on Earth. It was an inspiring book and reminded me that being happy is a choice. In life, we go through many difficulties, but we can learn from them and come out with a positive attitude. Thank you Eddie for sharing your story. I hope all who read this story will be inspired to be more kind to each other. I could not put this book down and read it in two days!
