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The Happiest Man on Earth: The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor Audiobook
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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.
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"I was given a gift certificate to the Audiobookstore, with the recommendation this as my first read. My friend was not wrong. The story was amazing, and for all young readers....please listen to this piece of history."
— Michael (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“A beautifully told, poignant story that should become required reading. Thank you, Eddie, for sharing your story of courage, resilience, kindness and love. Your book is our tonic, our medicine, our hope for living the happiest life we can.”
— Heather Morris, New York Times bestselling author -
“A captivating memoir…Through his stories, readers learn of his family’s loss of liberty and property, and Jaku’s loss of his parents. Yet Jaku says that he maintained a hope for his survival and a better life.”
— Library Journal -
“Readers will be horrified by Jaku’s painful description of the unspeakable conditions and sadistic treatment he received. He survived only through determination, cooperation with a friend, luck, and his engineering skills, which gave him some privileges…A solid addition to Holocaust literature.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Awards
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New York Times bestseller
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An Audie Award Finalist for Best Narration in Faith-Based Books
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About Eddie Jaku
Eddie Jaku, OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia), was born Abraham Jakubowicz in Germany in 1920. A Holocaust survivor, he was rescued by Allied soldiers at the end of World War II, and in 1950 moved with family to Australia, where he has lived ever since. He has been married to his wife Flore for 74 years, and they have two sons, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. In 2020, he celebrated his 100th birthday. He has been a volunteer at the Sydney Jewish Museum since its inception in 1992.
About Raphael Corkhill
Raphael Corkhill grew up in central London and attended the renowned Eton College before moving to the United States to attend Princeton University, after which he completed his MFA acting degree at the University of Southern California. Raphael’s recent credits include the Los Angeles Theatre Center’s production of Short Eyes, A Happy End at the Museum of Tolerance, and Luke Eberl’s latest film, The Movie. Raphael’s voice-over work includes the Weinstein Company’s upcoming feature Lawless and the award-winning short film Wrecks and Violins.