The Happiest Man on Earth

The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor

By: Eddie Jaku

Narrated by: Raphael Corkhill

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

This should be read by everyone worldwide.

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

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

Important reminder from someone who has every right to preach to us. Reader was excellent and very effective. You laughed and cried together with the author. Makes you really want to meet him.

Full of life lessons

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

Deeply moving. A MUST READ.

This book came highly recommended to me, and now I understand why. It is an incredibly hopeful and starkly real memoir of a Holocaust survivor. It should be required reading for every high school student. Eddie’s story is both horrific and full of hope. The narrator did a fantastic job bringing all of the emotions to his performance. I highly recommend this book!

Tremendous is every way. Listen and share it with all your friends and family

Such an inspiring and moving tale that lingers long after you have finished it. We listed to it in one drive and we slowed down just so we could finish the story before we arrived as we did not want to stop before the book ended. It will make you think and love life.

Wow! Must read/listen!

Wow, this book is truly life changing! I couldn’t stop listening! Makes you appreciate everything you have. I listened while cleaning my kitchen and it made me even more grateful for my food, and home. You can’t end this book without feeling gratitude and hope. You’ll regret not listening to this one.

Humbled

Very grateful that Eddie was eventually convinced to write his story. Imagine the loss it would be to not have this man’s hope and perseverance in this heartbreaking story. I am grateful, humbled and happy to be alive.

Profound

This book conveys the infinite potentiality of man if they will rely on the infinite love of God.

Heartbreakingly honest and beautiful.

This book changed my perspective on my personal trials, gave me great admiration and sympathy for those that endured the Holocaust.
Eddie is so kind, compassionate and raw. Beautifully written and should be read by all, at least once,

Truly an Extraordinary Book!

Mere words are not adequate to express my gratitude for this superb life-changing Audible book. Deeply touching and profoundly educating. My tremendous gratitude to Eddie Jaku – Thank you for being YOU.