• The Happiest Man on Earth

  • The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor
  • By: Eddie Jaku
  • Narrated by: Raphael Corkhill
  • Length: 3 hrs and 47 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (1,550 ratings)

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The Happiest Man on Earth  By  cover art

The Happiest Man on Earth

By: Eddie Jaku
Narrated by: Raphael Corkhill
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Publisher's Summary

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 listeners of all ages, especially for young people today.

©2020 Eddie Jaku (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about The Happiest Man on Earth

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Everyone needs to listen to this amazing man

His story forever changed my life. The most beautiful human. The most amazing story. The most amazing words. Thank you, Mr. Jaku. ❤️

11 people found this helpful

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Incredible

My husband and I listened while driving during a portion of our road trip. The story is incredible and heart breaking and lovely. The performance was perfect. What a voice! We were both in tears at the end. This is a book that every person should listen to. Humanity at its finest. An attempt to relay the importance of happiness, kindness, prioritizing your life, and focusing on the positive in every day. This one is going on the shelf for all time keeping.

10 people found this helpful

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Inspiration

What an amazing story and a wonderful performance. A story of hope!! Best book I w read in 2022

7 people found this helpful

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This should be read by everyone worldwide.

One of the best stories I've listened to in my life. I loved it

6 people found this helpful

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Love it!

Incredible and beautiful story of survival, triumph and love during one of the most darkest times in history. Great narration and easy to follow, I was instantly drawn into this true story and could not stop listening.

4 people found this helpful

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Masterpiece

Powerful! In a world full of hate, this book teaches one how to live. It was my honor to listen to the story of his life.

3 people found this helpful

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To Life

He has boiled life to its essential elements, Kindness Friendship, Love and Hope.
He shows how Fear leads to hate , loss of morality to Death. Choose Life!

3 people found this helpful

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don't hesitate on choosing this Audiobook

Great story, great narration. great perspective of what life is for a man who went though horrible things but still had the courage and the heart to kept human. I wanted to cry in some chapters and I smiled in others. This guy is one of those heroes who doesn't wear a cape, he kept his heart soft despite how some humans treated him. This is one of the hardest things to do. Great story.

3 people found this helpful

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Full of life lessons

I loved this book. The author is so kind and wise, imparting so many life lessons. Highly recommend.

2 people found this helpful

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Great Book

This audiobook is amazing. Mr. Jakus explanation and story is riveting and one I could not stop listening to. It’s amazing how he could still have such a love for life with all he experienced. This is a must read book.

2 people found this helpful