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  • The Happiest Man on Earth

  • By: Eddie Jaku
  • Narrated by: Jacek Koman
  • Length: 4 hrs and 54 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (6,966 ratings)

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The Happiest Man on Earth

By: Eddie Jaku
Narrated by: Jacek Koman
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Publisher's Summary

WINNER OF THE ABIA BIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR 2021

Life can be beautiful if you make it beautiful. It is up to you.

Eddie Jaku always considered himself a German first, a Jew second. He was proud of his country. But all of that changed in November 1938, when he was beaten, arrested and taken to a concentration camp.

Over the next seven years, Eddie faced unimaginable horrors every day, first in Buchenwald, then in Auschwitz, then on a Nazi death march. He lost family, friends, his country. 

Because he survived, Eddie made the vow to smile every day. He pays tribute to those who were lost by telling his story, sharing his wisdom and living his best possible life. He now believes he is the 'happiest man on earth'. 

Published as Eddie turns 100, this is a powerful, heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful memoir of how happiness can be found even in the darkest of times.

Now featuring an inspiring new Afterword

SHORTLISTED FOR THE ABA NIELSEN BOOK BOOKSELLERS' CHOICE - ADULT NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021 

SHORTLISTED FOR THE INDIE BOOK AWARDS FOR NON-FICTION 2021

LONGLISTED FOR MATT RICHELL AWARD FOR NEW WRITER OF THE YEAR 2021

©2020 Eddie Jaku (P)2020 Macmillan Australia Audio

Critic Reviews

"This simple, moving account of a remarkable life offers plenty to think about and reflect on...Highly recommended." (Canberra Weekly)

"I have never met Eddie Jaku, but having read his book I feel like I have made a new friend...This is a beautiful book by a truly amazing man." (Daily Telegraph

"A reminder of the power of love, kindness and hope...A life-affirming story, beautifully told." (Sydney Morning Herald)

What listeners say about The Happiest Man on Earth

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Inspiring | Sad | Inspiring | Life Changing

This bought me so many emotions some of which I was not aware of. This book is the best book I have ever listened to by far and I have listened and read a lot of books. It has changed my life and my perspective on so many levels.

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36 people found this helpful

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This is a must read!

This is an amazing book, although Eddie and his family endured such terrible things, Eddie is such an inspiring man and honestly put a lot into perspective as to how lucky we are, even in this troubling year of 2020
Thank you Eddie for sharing your story. I want to hug you!

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A wonderful book

This was a wonderful book. Simple, honest and full of hope. It really brought me back to the things that matter the most. I Highly recommend it.

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14 people found this helpful

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Just.. wow! Life Changing! An IncrEDDIEble Story!

A masterpiece. When I read Man's Search for Meaning it changed me. Now Eddie has moved me further, and his story is even richer and more relatable. His constant drive to help others and his resilience are a wake up call to us all. A truly beautiful man who has had a remarkable impact. Thank you, Eddie, from a new friend.

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14 people found this helpful

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oh my heart

loved it, at times I found myself talking back to Eddie...his story is astounding! This book should read in schools so that we never repeat what was done to Eddie and his people.

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11 people found this helpful

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This audio book changed my outlook on life

Eddies story is a hard to take in and it unbelievable what he went through and what he endured to survive in a Nazi concentration camp

He teaches amazing lessons of friendship, giving, kindness, forgiveness, courage, family and education just to name a few.

I was humbled listening to Eddie’s story. I have changed my outlook on life and doing my best to show more kindness to everyone I interact with.

This is definitely one of the best stories I have heard.

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10 people found this helpful

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Emotionally challenging

I enjoyed this story but it wasn’t a happy one and not one to listen to when you want something light and breezy and uplifting. It’s not as uplifting as the author wants it to be. It’s quite frightening in some ways, in terms of what we are capable of. It made me feel a bit flat for a few days while I was reading it.

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7 people found this helpful

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The happiest man on earth....

.... is a must read. Heartbreaking, inspiring, deeply moving. The true story of a courageous and loving man. It will change you forever.

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7 people found this helpful

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Everyone should read this book!

What an incredibly moving and inspiring. I started it and finished it in one go. If anyone needs a little bit of a perspective adjustment I urge you to get it into your ears. Heartbreaking, but joyful.

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5 people found this helpful

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Amazing

Eddy, your story it's truly humbling. thank you so much for taking the time to share it.

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4 people found this helpful

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  • Rosemary
  • 01-02-2021

The kindest way to share such horrors

I came across this book by accident, and I am truly blessed to have found it. This is a kind person sharing a true and heartbreakingly cruel story not only about the Nazis and antisemitisime but about a cruelty and darkness that is inside all of us. Eddie shines a light on the darkness to remind and warn us how fragile a line there is between good and evil and how easy it is to lose one’s decency. But Eddie also shines a light on hope and goodness and the power of love to help and heal. It was a privilege to share Eddie’s life and to see how he and his loved one’s survived and overcame such horrors born through hate. I take off my hat to you sir. You are a treasure and your lessons will never be forgotten. Eddie opened my eyes in many ways. Thank you.

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1 person found this helpful

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  • Alberto Gomes
  • 25-11-2020

Really deep on details and keep our attention

Full inspirational! Makes us be more grateful in life. Kindness is the key to a better world.
“Make yourself a better friend to the world”

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  • Infragelis
  • 20-08-2020

As good as it gets - 6 stars

Resilient. Loving. Graceful. Tragic. Loving. Memorable. Beautiful. This book truly is life changing. Simply breathtaking. What a gentleman.

This should be compulsory reading in schools.

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  • Lynda Cutbush
  • 28-12-2022

A must read for everybody.

This would have to be one of the best reads ever. It should be part of the school curriculum in all schools across the world

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  • Jean Soh
  • 06-11-2022

Inspiring and moving

A book that reached deep into my heart, a history we should never forget and a reminder of what it takes to make the world a better place, start with “kindness”

A message that I will hold in my heart, “Do not live in anger and hatred”

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  • cheekywombat
  • 19-10-2022

An absolutely beautiful story

A truly inspiring and insightful book, Eddie’s story takes you on the journey of his life as a young German Jewish boy and his struggles preceding and during the war at the hands of the nazis. Eddie has a beautiful way with words and is never bitter or resentful, what a truly amazing human being. Thank you Eddie, although I have never met you, you have taught me about the power of kindness and hope. Thank you again.

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  • Oltimer
  • 26-08-2022

The last 2 chapters are the key

For me I could only appreciate the message of kindness and Eddies life story after hearing the last two chapters. The horrors of holocaust were not in my focus when reading this book as I studied this material before. I reached for this book for insights on how he overcame the traumas. Only after reading the last two chapters the gaps in comprehension of his wisdom were filled. I would have loved to know more about his journey.

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  • Rachelle Leslie
  • 16-08-2022

Inspiring & heartfelt!

It took me 2 days to listen to this book! Eddie is a pleasure to listen too - some of the stories are horrifying but Eddies attitude and perseverance is inspiring! A truly incredible man with a very important message!

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  • mathew
  • 06-07-2022

exceptional experience

love ,family , persistence, courage
I am grateful to have listened to the man's life

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  • Renee
  • 04-03-2022

Surprised how wonderful this story was

I don’t usually like stories about history but this was fantastic. What a truly wonderful man Eddie must have been. This story will move and inspire you to learn more about what happened to the people who survived the holocaust and to become a better human being.
I didn’t want it to end.

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  • P. Hannon
  • 15-11-2020

A must listen

100-year-old Eddie tells a story that will connect with today's world where genocides begin, often in plain sight, and by one set of blind eyes at a time.

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  • Jannike
  • 24-10-2020

Deeply touching, a life lesson!

I listened to this entire audio book (with few pauses) in one day, I couldn't stop listening. I have read and watched many holocaust stories and find Eddie's voice (figuratively) unique. With the focus on the help, kindness, friendship and love he found along this life journey. This story goes way before and long after the concentration camps... It is deeply moving without being overly sentimental, it has within it so many nuggets of valuable life lessons with a very powerful and impacting ending. Definitely worth the listen!

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  • Ed M.
  • 20-10-2020

A reassuring listen.

It's always hard to listen to the suffering of European Jews during the Holocaust, but it's incredible that Eddie Jaku could regain his faith in humanity and live a productive and optimistic life. Simple and worthwhile life lessons to be learnt from this book.

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  • Sharon M
  • 15-09-2020

An Amazing Life Story!

what an incredible journey this man takes you on as he tells you the story of his life and his survival against the odds and the gestapo. what an incredible attitude of positivity he retains despite the atrocities he has witnessed and had inflicted on him. it's like he's lived the life of 5 people not just one. amazingly uplifting despite the subject matter. I listened to this story in one go, i really couldn't stop listening! highly Recommend.

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