The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness

A True Story

By: Joel Izzy

Narrated by: Joel Izzy

When a storyteller loses his voice, he believes he's lost everything. In fact, he's been given a great gift.

Once upon a time, a successful storyteller lost his voice to throat cancer. Deprived of the instrument of his art and his livelihood, he retreated into dark, sullen silence and depression. While searching for a spiritual explanation, he encountered his former mentor, a cantankerous and often drunken old man. Their meetings began a journey into the timeless wisdom of ancient tales: of beggars and kings, monks and tigers, lost horses, buried treasures, and ultimately the secret of happiness.

In this altogether original book, Joel ben Izzy shares his personal account of surviving loss, gaining wisdom, and rediscovering one's true purpose. Weaving in tales he's collected over the years from Sufi, Muslim, Chinese, Jewish, Iraqi, Zen Buddhist, Italian, and Indian cultures, he passes along the lessons he has learned. As we travel with ben Izzy from tragedy back into light and sound, we are encouraged to see our own lives as stories, and to open our own hearts to happiness.

©2003 Joel ben Izzy (P)2007 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

"His memoir shines with brisk suspense as well as his unerring, precise eye for including only the elements of his hard-won wisdom that matter the most." ( Publishers Weekly)

Wit and Wisdom, Tragedy and Triumph all told with Gentle Humor

Joel’s mixture FOLKLORE, Jokes, Philosophy, History and Biography is FACILITATING, EXHILARATING and COMPELLING! I give The Beggar King my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!

Amazing listen!

Great story, well told by the author, lots to learn about life, loss and the secret of happiness. Love it

Touched my heart and engaged my mind

Worth listening
Excellent narration and story
Touched my heart and engaged my brain
Thanks for a great book

He Answered my Question from his Performance

I listened twice. Great personal story told with a dozen traditional tales woven in. Similar to Joel's live style. Most powerful to have him use his voice for the Audio book .

Every Storyteller should hear this story.

a rare book with wisdom and humor

What did you love best about The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness?

its' profound meaning for me

What did you like best about this story?

it gave me a feeling of framing my own story

Which character – as performed by Joel ben Izzy – was your favorite?

the story about truth

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

both