The Happiest Man on Earth: The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor
- Downloads：8524
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-05-23 12:51:05
- Update Date：2025-09-07
- Status：finish
- Author：Eddie Jaku
- ISBN：0063114917
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
- Download
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 readers of all ages， especially for young people today。
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。
Reviews
Eileen Beveridge
，
I love this book！ As he was going through the worst period of his life and suffering beyond imagination， Eddie had never lost his hope or his humor。 Such an amazing man！
Özgür
，
This is true a "stranger than fiction" story。Eddie's perseverance throughout the Nazi nightmare is inspiring。 I admire his conviction to make the world a better place through love having gone through hell on earth。 All in all I think this is a story of grit and survival against all odds of a man who has clinged onto his values and positivity and took it one by one achieving greatness and enlightenment in the end。 This is true a "stranger than fiction" story。Eddie's perseverance throughout the Nazi nightmare is inspiring。 I admire his conviction to make the world a better place through love having gone through hell on earth。 All in all I think this is a story of grit and survival against all odds of a man who has clinged onto his values and positivity and took it one by one achieving greatness and enlightenment in the end。 。。。more
meri
，
The only reason I’m not giving five stars is the slight preachiness towards the end of the book and the talk about choosing to be happy which is not always a choice even mr。 Jaku so suggests。 Other than that， a warm story and interestingly combined ”life lessons” and holocaust memoirs。 Eddie wants us readers to be his new friends and I think I’m happy to be one。
Elisha Roles
，
Amazing Story of Hope What a painful， heartbreaking story and amazing over coming man。 I’m so thankful God spared him to share this story of survival and hope。 He has taught me to be thankful for loved ones， to not give up， and to love others more。 Sharing our stories is important。 Let’s love our neighbors。
Jane Mendelsohn
，
Beautiful book。 Read it in an afternoon。
Anna-Maria Tuominen-Reini
，
Uskomaton， mieletön elämä ja asenne， kaiken jälkeen。 Suosittelen。
Crystal
，
“Kindness is the greatest wealth of all。 Small acts of kindness last longer than a lifetime。” Omg y’all - read this book。
Nancy
，
“The Happiest Man on Earth” had to be one of the most uplifting books that I have read in a long time。 Drawing on his experiences before WWII， in concentration and refugee camps， Eddie Jaku teaches that happiness and positivity are possible， even in the darkest times and places。 Though the vast majority of those who have read or will read this book will never experience the hell of persecution and evil of the Holocaust， the lessons of focusing on the positive and finding happiness in even the wo “The Happiest Man on Earth” had to be one of the most uplifting books that I have read in a long time。 Drawing on his experiences before WWII， in concentration and refugee camps， Eddie Jaku teaches that happiness and positivity are possible， even in the darkest times and places。 Though the vast majority of those who have read or will read this book will never experience the hell of persecution and evil of the Holocaust， the lessons of focusing on the positive and finding happiness in even the worst situations can be applied to any life。 A fast， easy， thoroughly engaging and rewarding read！ 。。。more
Fran
，
Eddie is such a strong name。 So glad you shared your story with the world
Melissa
，
When you read The Happiest Man on Earth， you will feel like Eddie Jaku is your new best friend。 Jaku's harrowing story of survival is jaw-dropping。 He gives many painful details， but not in a gruesome way。 The sheer wonder of him surviving Auschwitz and his varied and unexpected movements during WW II is heartwrenching and somehow heartwarming all at the same time。 Unlike Elie Wiesel's Night， Jaku maintains an astonishing HOPE against Hitler's evil。 Making yourself "a friend to the world" is his When you read The Happiest Man on Earth， you will feel like Eddie Jaku is your new best friend。 Jaku's harrowing story of survival is jaw-dropping。 He gives many painful details， but not in a gruesome way。 The sheer wonder of him surviving Auschwitz and his varied and unexpected movements during WW II is heartwrenching and somehow heartwarming all at the same time。 Unlike Elie Wiesel's Night， Jaku maintains an astonishing HOPE against Hitler's evil。 Making yourself "a friend to the world" is his primary message， and he encourages readers to do that by proclaiming “Life can be beautiful if you make it beautiful” （3）。5 stars for the message （the writing is simple， but Jaku's first language is not English， so there's a simplicity of syntax and diction）In 15 chapters， he outlines "truths" from his remarkable story:1。 There are many things more precious than money。2。 Weakness can be turned into hatred。3。 Tomorrow will come if you survive today。 One step at a time。4。 You can find kindness everywhere， even from strangers。5。 Hug your mother。6。 One good friend is my whole world。7。 Education is a lifesaver。8。 If you lose your morals， you lose yourself。9。 The human body is the best machine ever made。10。 Where there is life， there is hope。11。 There are always miracles in the world， even when it seems dark。 12。 Love is the best medicine。13。 We are all part of a larger society， and our work is our contribution to a free and safe life for all。14。 Shared sorrow is half sorrow; shared pleasure is devil pleasure。15。 What I have to share is not my pain。 What I share is my hope。 。。。more
Kirsten LaBarge
，
Loved it！I read this book because my friend said she wanted to。 Checked it out of the library and started the same day。 Couldn’t put it down
LWinnett
，
This was an amazing book， it will certainly be added to my list of favourite books。
Jo Hyde
，
A must read for everyone。A concise， enthralling and harrowing look at one man's survival of the Holocaust against the odds。 Such a positive response to such a terrible time in history！ Read the book！ A must read for everyone。A concise， enthralling and harrowing look at one man's survival of the Holocaust against the odds。 Such a positive response to such a terrible time in history！ Read the book！ 。。。more
Linda Joy
，
Wow！ This book。❤️A personal message of love， hope and kindness from holocaust survivor Eddie Jaku。 A reminder of the devastation of ‘hate crimes’ in a time where there is growing hatred in our world。The message: Take time to reflect on the goodness in life and share kindness and love。Thoroughly recommendThankYOU Eddie 🙏
Crystal Casillas
，
What a lovely man and an amazing story。 So atrocious yet his will to live and to not be filled with hate and to live a life aimed at spreading love。 Quick read and a must read。
Lauren Eagle
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Amazing book！ A feel good Holocaust book if there could be on the Holocaust。 Eddie persevered through so much and maintained a positive outlook on life。 Amazing and truly inspiring！ Read it in one night。
Tesmos
，
The rating speaks for itself。 Thanks Eddie for sharing your amazing story。
Andreia Valadares
，
（◔◡◔） 𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨。тíтυℓσ: "O Homem Mais Feliz do Mundo" αυтσя: Eddie Jakuρágιηαѕ: 174¢ℓαѕѕιƒι¢αçãσ:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐。O livro "O Homem Mais Feliz do Mundo" retrata a vida de Eddie enquanto judeu e alemão orgulhoso。 Este era um jovem， com uma família que o acompanhava em tudo。 Mas， certo dia， a desgraça bateu-lhe à porta。Viu-se obrigado a falsificar a sua identidade para conseguir tirar um curso。 Curso esse que， mais tarde， vai ser a sua sorte para sobreviver aos campos de concentração。Eddie perdeu a sua famí （◔◡◔） 𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨。тíтυℓσ: "O Homem Mais Feliz do Mundo" αυтσя: Eddie Jakuρágιηαѕ: 174¢ℓαѕѕιƒι¢αçãσ:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐。O livro "O Homem Mais Feliz do Mundo" retrata a vida de Eddie enquanto judeu e alemão orgulhoso。 Este era um jovem， com uma família que o acompanhava em tudo。 Mas， certo dia， a desgraça bateu-lhe à porta。Viu-se obrigado a falsificar a sua identidade para conseguir tirar um curso。 Curso esse que， mais tarde， vai ser a sua sorte para sobreviver aos campos de concentração。Eddie perdeu a sua família， mas ganhou amigos。Conseguiu sobreviver aos campos de concentração， casou， teve filhos e netos。 Foi uma pessoa bastante feliz e realizada na sua vida。。Este livro malta， é mais do que uma história de sobrevivência。 É um livro cheio de ensinamentos。 Ensinamentos tão ricos， tão bons ❤️ basta verem as citações que eu retirei do livro ➡️➡️。。Amei esta leitura， de coração mesmo。 Aliás， senti-me triste por ter terminado o livro tão rápido。 Precisava de ler mais coisas， mais ensimamentos。。Não tenho nada a apontar ao livro。 Foi M-A-R-A-V-I-L-H-O-S-O ❤️。#leituras2021📚 #lerjuntos #leituraatual #leitura #book #booklover #bookstagrampt #bookstagramsofportugal #book #literatura #literaturaestrangeira #amoler #adoroler #adoroler ❤️ #livrosemaislivros #bookcommunity #bookhaolic #bookstagrammer #lererespeitarahistoria #lerjuntos #historia #holocausto #segundaguerramundial #auschwitz #auschamps #penguin #naturephotography 。。。more
Philippa Oxley
，
"Here is what I learned。 Happiness does not fall from the sky; it is in your hands。 Happiness comes from inside yourself and from the people you love。 And if you are healthy and happy， you are a millionaire。" "Here is what I learned。 Happiness does not fall from the sky; it is in your hands。 Happiness comes from inside yourself and from the people you love。 And if you are healthy and happy， you are a millionaire。" 。。。more
Ojiler
，
Incredible。 Quick read， unbelievable story， the choice to be happy。
Judy Julien
，
This book was the most heart wrenching account I have ever read of a holocaust survivor。 He wrote it when he was 100 years old which is amazing。 It is truly a miracle that he is alive after so much suffering。 I could not put this book down and read it in one day。
John Howland
，
A heartfelt story that although is certainly sad， has a positive theme throughout。 Jaku is able to quickly and succinctly tell his captivating story of surviving the holocaust and his life afterwards。 He presents an honest and true representation of his experience but gives the reader the ability to take positive messages about that time and apply it to their own lives。 The book does begin slowly but towards the end I was captivated。 It is a compelling book that seeks to educate the modern reade A heartfelt story that although is certainly sad， has a positive theme throughout。 Jaku is able to quickly and succinctly tell his captivating story of surviving the holocaust and his life afterwards。 He presents an honest and true representation of his experience but gives the reader the ability to take positive messages about that time and apply it to their own lives。 The book does begin slowly but towards the end I was captivated。 It is a compelling book that seeks to educate the modern reader about this terrible period in our history。 。。。more
Amanda
，
Just what a sweetheart。 A short read but one that is full of hope， gratitude and grace。 Eddie Jaku seems like a really lovely man， offering friendship and his remarkable life for people to learn from。 The book explores the daily horrors and humiliations of the Holocaust but somehow the takeaway from it all is friendship - friendship， hope and gratitude。 And if Eddie can do it surely the rest of us can！ Finished reading this at 7am。。 a good way to start the day。
Linda Royall
，
Amazing manIf this one man can change one person so can we。 God bless him。 All generations need to know this history。
Rhea
，
Everyone should read this book！ Amazing man and story。
Barb
，
Eddie Jaku， 101 years old wrote "The Happiest Man on Earth" when he was 100 years old。 Yesterday， I had the privilege to listen to the 3+ hour audio version of his book。 A German Jew， this memoir is the story of the unimaginable atrocities that he suffered at the hands of the Nazi （because he was a Jew） and surprisingly， the French and Belgium authorities （because he was a German）。 Because of Eddie's innate grace， hope， kindness and the help of a few random strangers， he survived the horror of t Eddie Jaku， 101 years old wrote "The Happiest Man on Earth" when he was 100 years old。 Yesterday， I had the privilege to listen to the 3+ hour audio version of his book。 A German Jew， this memoir is the story of the unimaginable atrocities that he suffered at the hands of the Nazi （because he was a Jew） and surprisingly， the French and Belgium authorities （because he was a German）。 Because of Eddie's innate grace， hope， kindness and the help of a few random strangers， he survived the horror of the camps and did not fall into the abyss of hopelessness and eventual death。 Eddie is my new hero because he survived inhumane treatment but has lived a life based on understanding， forgiveness and a creed that giving is way more important than receiving。 At times it was a tough listen but worth it to realize just how much a person can withstand but not lose his morality and a belief in love that allows us to be our best selves。 We， as a society， can learn so much from this amazing man。 I truly believe he has lived this very long life to be a teacher and also， a warning of the dangers of autocratic politicians and fascism。 The Eddie Jaku's will not be with us very much longer， but we need to always remember and honor those who died in the Holocaust。 Our children and grandchildren need to know what happened。。。and hopefully through books like this， they will。A memoir like this has more authentic authority than the 100's of WWII holocaust historian fiction books being churned out in today's publishing world。 Another powerful memoir is "All But My Life" by Gerda Weissmann Klein。 I highly recommend that everyone read this book and perhaps， watch his Ted Talk that he gave a few years ago。 The audio version was incredible。。。and I have just ordered the hardcopy to see if it holds the same power。 If I could give it more than 5 stars， I would。 。。。more
Deb Kennedy
，
Such an interesting life story， I know that English is his second language and I feel so much of his amazing story was lost in the telling。 I would have loved a bit more depth and detail。 Wow！ What a story he has to tell。 I felt he was only able to touch in the true horrors if the concentration camps and war torn Europe。 Such an interesting read but I was left wanting more ！
Seleena Crowe
，
Thank you Eddie for sharing your story。 Heartbreaking， and also uplifting。
T
，
If you only read 1 memoir this year， let it be this one。
Cierra Nielsen
，