The Happiest Man on Earth

The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor

De: Eddie Jaku

Narrado por: Raphael Corkhill

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.

Exemplary hero

Mr. Jaku's gentle perspective opens every aspect of living fully in all moments. His a hard won happiness. Most of us will never experience such terrible challenges. Yet knowing that there is a person who has suffered so very much and upon reflection honored his personal promise to smile each day . . . reminds me of my father's favorite song: "Powder your face with sunshine. Put on a great big smile . . . " As a parent myself, I sang the same song to my children and to my students. Especially now when a teenager's entire world is in the palm of the hand, it's a challenge to link with each other in relational ways. Smiles and joyous laughter are more important than ever!!

Absolutely incredible man with an incredible mind

I love this book! I love the man who personifies love so deeply for others, even for his captors, that you feel it. I love the lessons he teaches with such wisdom and life experiences. I want my kids to listen to this book. It’s captivating and honest and so uplifting. It makes you want to be a better person. Thank you for all you chose to see with a life of difficulty. You are wonderful.

Amazing

An amazing story of a survivor who never gave up. I will never complain about anything after listening to the hardships Eddie when through the holocaust 😭

Perspective is EVERYTHING!

This incredible story inspires me to do more, to be more humble, have more gratitude, offer more grace, endure to the end, all while seeking the good in all things.
This man has the gift to see hope and goodness where many can not.
This is where freedom & true joy come from.
Perspective!!
What an honor to have learned from this wonderful man.

-KB

Wonderful Book

I’m so thankful that Eddie Jaku wrote this book and shared his life, and experiences from the holocaust. As tragic as the holocaust was, he shows us by his example, the power of our choices. He replicates how the worst events in our lives do not have the ability to bury us, if we choose to be different than the adverse ways others have treated us. It’s a miracle the way he has turned his very bad experiences into positive living. He loves people and life, and has not let setbacks drag him down, or stop him from making life better. He reveals the awesome truth- that we choose how we will react to the tragedies and trials of life. The power is within us to change a bad experience into a better one. To show love and kindness, when we’ve been despised. Choosing joy- because we can!! Eddie has brightened my hope through his example.