Get Your Free Audiobook
People who bought this also bought...
-
The Happiest Man on Earth
- By: Eddie Jaku
- Narrated by: Jacek Koman
- Length: 4 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
Inspiring | Sad | Inspiring | Life Changing
- By Amazon Customer on 12-08-2020
-
Reckoning
- A Memoir
- By: Magda Szubanski
- Narrated by: Magda Szubanski
- Length: 12 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Heartbreaking, joyous, traumatic, intimate and revelatory, Reckoning is the book where Magda Szubanski, one of Australia’s most beloved performers, tells her story. In this extraordinary memoir, Magda describes her journey of self-discovery from a suburban childhood, haunted by the demons of her father’s espionage activities in wartime Poland and by her secret awareness of her sexuality, to the complex dramas of adulthood and her need to find out the truth about herself and her family.
-
-
Moving and powerful
- By Stan on 11-01-2016
-
Working Class Boy
- By: Jimmy Barnes
- Narrated by: Jimmy Barnes
- Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Raw, gritty, compassionate, surprising and darkly funny - Australian legend Jimmy Barnes' unforgettable childhood memoir. A household name, an Australian rock icon, the elder statesman of OzPubRock - there isn't an accolade or cliché that doesn't apply to Jimmy Barnes. But long before Cold Chisel and Barnesy, long before the tall tales of success and excess, there was the true story of James Dixon Swan - a working class boy whose family made the journey from Scotland to Australia in search of a better life.
-
-
Raw & honest autobiography
- By Mary-Lou O'Brien on 27-09-2017
-
Working Class Man
- By: Jimmy Barnes
- Narrated by: Jimmy Barnes
- Length: 12 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It’s a life too big and a story too extraordinary for just one book. Jimmy Barnes has lived many lives - from Glaswegian migrant kid to iconic front man, from solo superstar to proud father of his own musical clan. In this hugely anticipated sequel to his critically acclaimed best seller, Working Class Boy, Jimmy picks up the story of his life as he leaves Adelaide in the back of an old truck with a then unknown band called Cold Chisel. A spellbinding and searingly honest reflection on success, fame and addiction, this self-penned memoir reveals how Jimmy Barnes used the fuel of childhood trauma to ignite and propel Australia’s greatest rock ’n’ roll story.
-
-
Inspirational!
- By Julian on 08-11-2018
-
Always Looking Up
- The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist
- By: Michael J Fox
- Narrated by: Michael J Fox
- Length: 4 hrs and 31 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Struck with Parkinson's - a debilitating, degenerative disease - at the height of his fame, Fox has taken what some people might consider cause for depression and turned it into a beacon of hope for millions. Now, in Always Looking Up, he writes about the personal philosophy that carried him through his darkest hours, and speaks with others who have emerged from difficult periods with optimism to spare.
-
-
Absolutely loved this book. Amazing story
- By Anonymous User on 20-06-2018
-
Greenlights
- By: Matthew McConaughey
- Narrated by: Matthew McConaughey
- Length: 6 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
I've been in this life for 50 years, been trying to work out its riddle for 42, and been keeping diaries of clues to that riddle for the last 35. Notes about successes and failures, joys and sorrows, things that made me marvel and things that made me laugh out loud. How to be fair. How to have less stress. How to have fun. How to hurt people less. How to get hurt less. How to be a good man. How to have meaning in life. How to be more me.
-
-
Tears of laughter and tears that the book has ended
- By Anonymous User on 23-10-2020
-
The Happiest Man on Earth
- By: Eddie Jaku
- Narrated by: Jacek Koman
- Length: 4 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
Inspiring | Sad | Inspiring | Life Changing
- By Amazon Customer on 12-08-2020
-
Reckoning
- A Memoir
- By: Magda Szubanski
- Narrated by: Magda Szubanski
- Length: 12 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Heartbreaking, joyous, traumatic, intimate and revelatory, Reckoning is the book where Magda Szubanski, one of Australia’s most beloved performers, tells her story. In this extraordinary memoir, Magda describes her journey of self-discovery from a suburban childhood, haunted by the demons of her father’s espionage activities in wartime Poland and by her secret awareness of her sexuality, to the complex dramas of adulthood and her need to find out the truth about herself and her family.
-
-
Moving and powerful
- By Stan on 11-01-2016
-
Working Class Boy
- By: Jimmy Barnes
- Narrated by: Jimmy Barnes
- Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Raw, gritty, compassionate, surprising and darkly funny - Australian legend Jimmy Barnes' unforgettable childhood memoir. A household name, an Australian rock icon, the elder statesman of OzPubRock - there isn't an accolade or cliché that doesn't apply to Jimmy Barnes. But long before Cold Chisel and Barnesy, long before the tall tales of success and excess, there was the true story of James Dixon Swan - a working class boy whose family made the journey from Scotland to Australia in search of a better life.
-
-
Raw & honest autobiography
- By Mary-Lou O'Brien on 27-09-2017
-
Working Class Man
- By: Jimmy Barnes
- Narrated by: Jimmy Barnes
- Length: 12 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It’s a life too big and a story too extraordinary for just one book. Jimmy Barnes has lived many lives - from Glaswegian migrant kid to iconic front man, from solo superstar to proud father of his own musical clan. In this hugely anticipated sequel to his critically acclaimed best seller, Working Class Boy, Jimmy picks up the story of his life as he leaves Adelaide in the back of an old truck with a then unknown band called Cold Chisel. A spellbinding and searingly honest reflection on success, fame and addiction, this self-penned memoir reveals how Jimmy Barnes used the fuel of childhood trauma to ignite and propel Australia’s greatest rock ’n’ roll story.
-
-
Inspirational!
- By Julian on 08-11-2018
-
Always Looking Up
- The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist
- By: Michael J Fox
- Narrated by: Michael J Fox
- Length: 4 hrs and 31 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Struck with Parkinson's - a debilitating, degenerative disease - at the height of his fame, Fox has taken what some people might consider cause for depression and turned it into a beacon of hope for millions. Now, in Always Looking Up, he writes about the personal philosophy that carried him through his darkest hours, and speaks with others who have emerged from difficult periods with optimism to spare.
-
-
Absolutely loved this book. Amazing story
- By Anonymous User on 20-06-2018
-
Greenlights
- By: Matthew McConaughey
- Narrated by: Matthew McConaughey
- Length: 6 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
I've been in this life for 50 years, been trying to work out its riddle for 42, and been keeping diaries of clues to that riddle for the last 35. Notes about successes and failures, joys and sorrows, things that made me marvel and things that made me laugh out loud. How to be fair. How to have less stress. How to have fun. How to hurt people less. How to get hurt less. How to be a good man. How to have meaning in life. How to be more me.
-
-
Tears of laughter and tears that the book has ended
- By Anonymous User on 23-10-2020
-
A Promised Land
- By: Barack Obama
- Narrated by: Barack Obama
- Length: 29 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the stirring, highly anticipated first volume of his presidential memoirs, Barack Obama tells the story of his improbable odyssey from young man searching for his identity to leader of the free world, describing in strikingly personal detail both his political education and the landmark moments of the first term of his historic presidency - a time of dramatic transformation and turmoil.
-
-
My review
- By Rebecca on 23-11-2020
-
Killing Time
- Short Stories from the Long Road Home
- By: Jimmy Barnes
- Narrated by: Jimmy Barnes
- Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Tales of adventure, misadventure, love, and loss - this collection of non-fiction short stories from the Australian rock legend turned writer is vintage Jimmy. Outrageous, witty, warm and wise, Killing Time shares more than 40 yarns reflecting an epic life - from an encounter with a soul legend in Memphis, a night in a haunted studio in upstate New York, and a doomed haircut in Thailand to a madcap misunderstanding in a Japanese ski resort, a family feud on a remote coral atoll, and an all-too-revealing appearance for a Sydney charity.
-
-
A cracking collection of stories
- By Trev Mitchell on 23-10-2020
-
Jacinda Ardern
- A New Kind of Leader
- By: Madeleine Chapman
- Narrated by: Kirsty Gillmore
- Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this revealing biography, journalist Madeleine Chapman discovers the woman behind the headlines. Politically engaged from an early age, Ardern has encountered her fair share of sexism, but rather than let that harden her, she advocated 'rising above' critics. In her first press conference, she announced an election campaign of 'relentless positivity' - the tactic was a resounding success. But can Ardern live up to her promise? And what can we learn from the world's reaction to this inspiring leader?
-
-
Educational and Inspirational
- By Brianna franham on 13-08-2020
-
A Life on Our Planet
- My Witness Statement and Vision for the Future
- By: David Attenborough
- Narrated by: David Attenborough
- Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
I am 93. I've had an extraordinary life. It's only now that I appreciate how extraordinary. As a young man, I felt I was out there in the wild, experiencing the untouched natural world - but it was an illusion. The tragedy of our time has been happening all around us, barely noticeable from day to day - the loss of our planet's wild places, its biodiversity. I have been witness to this decline.
-
-
His Life for all of us.
- By Kevin on 07-10-2020
-
Head over Heels
- By: Sam Bailey, Jenny Bailey
- Narrated by: William McInnes
- Length: 6 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A story of tragedy, triumph and romance in the Australian bush - the story of Sam and Jenny Bailey.S am Bailey wanted a life on the land just like his father. He had it all planned - he'd finish his education, have a few years in the big wide world and then return home to take the reins from his dad, get married and raise a family. His own version of the Australian dream.
-
-
Amazing
- By Anonymous User on 14-09-2020
-
Becoming
- By: Michelle Obama
- Narrated by: Michelle Obama
- Length: 19 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites listeners into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her - from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work to her time spent at the world's most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it - in her own words and on her own terms.
-
-
Just brilliant
- By Tony on 12-01-2019
-
Boy Swallows Universe
- By: Trent Dalton
- Narrated by: Stig Wemyss
- Length: 16 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Brisbane, 1983: A lost father, a mute brother, a mum in jail, a heroin dealer for a stepfather and a notorious crim for a babysitter. It's not as if Eli's life isn't complicated enough already. He's just trying to follow his heart, learning what it takes to be a good man, but life just keeps throwing obstacles in the way - not least of which is Tytus Broz, legendary Brisbane drug dealer. But Eli's life is about to get a whole lot more serious. He's about to fall in love. And, oh yeah, he has to break into Boggo Road Gaol on Christmas Day, to save his mum.
-
-
Hard to press stop!
- By Fiona_S on 08-10-2018
-
The Last Crocodile Hunter
- By: Bob Irwin, Amanda French
- Narrated by: David Tredinnick
- Length: 12 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Bob Irwin's extraordinary life as a wildlife pioneer, father to wildlife warrior Steve and founder of Australia Zoo, told in his own words. Bob Irwin grew up in the Dandenong Ranges, where his passion for wildlife was born. A near-death experience while working as a plumber made Bob realise he needed to follow his dreams, so he and his wife, Lyn, moved their young family to Queensland, where they opened a wildlife park on the Sunshine Coast. The Irwin children grew up in and around the Beerwah Reptile and Wildlife Park.
-
-
Bob is a legend and a hero!
- By Matt on 01-10-2020
-
Able
- Gold Medals, Grand Slams and Smashing Glass Ceilings
- By: Dylan Alcott
- Narrated by: Dylan Alcott
- Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The astonishing life story from one of Australia's most inspirational athletes. Dylan Alcott has never let his disability get in the way of what he wanted to achieve. His family treated him no differently to any other kid, and it was the best thing they ever did. Growing up, Dylan always had a positive attitude to life. So when he discovered sport, he’d have a go at anything and could always be found at the centre of the action, giving his best and playing to win. Then he tried wheelchair basketball and tennis and was hooked.
-
-
Darren Lockyer sure can write a book!
- By Anonymous User on 06-02-2019
-
The Resilience Project
- Finding Happiness Through Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness
- By: Hugh van Cuylenburg
- Narrated by: Hugh van Cuylenburg
- Length: 4 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hugh van Cuylenburg was a primary school teacher volunteering in northern India when he had a life-changing realisation: despite the underprivileged community the children were from, they were remarkably positive. By contrast, back in Australia Hugh knew that all too many children struggled with depression, social anxieties and mental illness. His own little sister had been ravaged by anorexia nervosa. How was it that young people he knew at home, who had food, shelter, friends and a loving family, struggled with their mental health, while these kids seemed so contented and resilient?
-
-
I don't like self-help books
- By Jo on 06-12-2019
-
Best Foot Forward
- By: Adam Hills
- Narrated by: Adam Hills
- Length: 8 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Adam Hills was a quiet primary school kid with a prosthetic foot, who did all his homework and only spoke when spoken to. His dad sparked in him a love of comedy, and together they'd spend hours watching and listening to the greats like Peter Sellers and Mel Brooks. So, when it was Adam's turn to speak, he made sure he was funny.
-
-
Fun and Heart-felt
- By Caroline on 29-10-2018
-
Think Like a Monk
- The Secret of How to Harness the Power of Positivity and Be Happy Now
- By: Jay Shetty
- Narrated by: Jay Shetty
- Length: 10 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jay Shetty, social media superstar and host of the number one podcast ‘On Purpose’, distils the timeless wisdom he learned as a practising monk into practical steps anyone can take every day to live a less anxious, more meaningful life.
-
-
The new Bible of our time.
- By mrs s garrett on 12-09-2020
Editorial Reviews
You may know him from his television series, his stint on Dancing with the Stars, or his long career as a comedian and author. In The Happiest Refugee, Ahn Do gives a rendition as you'd expect, narrating his own life story and bringing it to life with his recognisable voice and familiar sense of humour. Exploring the perils he faced while immigrating, the struggle to make a life for himself in Australia and the glimmer of eventual stardom, this listen blends joy, tragedy and honest insight in a way that underscores the nature of true perseverance.
Winning numerous awards, including the 2011 Australian Book of the Year, The Happiest Refugee will bring you closer to the Do you know as a successful comedian, author and star. Be prepared to laugh, cry and laugh until you cry.
Publisher's Summary
The laugh-out-loud, reach-for-your-hanky story of one of Australia's best-loved comedians.
Anh Do nearly didn't make it to Australia. His entire family came close to losing their lives on the sea as they escaped from war-torn Vietnam in an overcrowded boat. But nothing - not murderous pirates nor the imminent threat of death by hunger, disease or dehydration as they drifted for days - could quench their desire to make a better life in a country where freedom existed.
Life in Australia was hard, an endless succession of backbreaking work, crowded rooms, ruthless landlords and make-do everything. But there was a loving extended family and always friends and play and something to laugh about for Anh, his brother, Khoa, and their sister, Tram. Things got harder when their father left home when Anh was 13 - they felt his loss very deeply, and their mother struggled to support the family on her own.
His mother's sacrifice was an inspiration to Anh, and he worked hard during his teenage years to help her make ends meet, also managing to graduate high school and then university. Another inspiration was the comedian Anh met when he was about to sign on for a 60-hour-a-week corporate job. Anh asked how many hours he worked. 'Four', the answer came back, and that was it. He was going to be a comedian!
The Happiest Refugee tells the incredible, uplifting and inspiring life story of one of our favourite personalities. Tragedy, humour, heartache and unswerving determination - a big life with big dreams. Anh's story will move and amuse all who hear it.
More from the same
Author
What listeners say about The Happiest Refugee
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 09-04-2018
Fabulous
I loved this book, an honest, interesting life story with hardship and kindness. Made better by Anh the author narrating himself. I’d recommend to everyone who has a heart.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 13-01-2018
An amazing story of strength and courage
Ahn has a very easy to listen to voice. I cried and laughed throughout this book. The experience of his families trip to Australia was truly incredible. Ahn is a very gentle and loving sounding man. I also loved the stories of the blending of his families with his wife. A very special story and I would highly recommend it.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 08-04-2018
Great read
Laughed and cried through Anh’s amazing story. The positivity he communicates throughout is brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, cover to cover!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kim
- 24-01-2018
Brilliant
Thank you Anh Do for sharing. A wonderful journey of your life. It was truly uplifting and inspirational. I will be a better person from this.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Bookhead
- 24-01-2021
Great Book Great Story
This was a great yarn. Honest and brutal recount of Anh's journey from poverty in post war Vietnam to his successes in Australia. Thoroughly recommend this book.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Alisha
- 02-04-2018
Heartwarming and funny
Funny, sweet, heartwarming and honest. Such a lovely memoir from one of Australia’s favourites. Lovely read!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 05-02-2018
Wow!
This is an amazing book. One minute I was crying, the next laughing. Beautifully written and told. A must read!!!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 01-01-2018
fantastic read. awsome book and trully amazing
amazing person ahn do. trully amazing read. big thanka for writting a wounderful book ahn
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nicole Tucker
- 29-12-2017
To laugh and cry at the same time
Wow! Arn Do thank you for writing such a beautiful and inspiring true story. I loved listening to your narration and how your childhood and family upbringing shaped you to be the humble, kind, caring, loving creature you are today. Thank you for allowing people the insight into your life. A fabulous story.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Angela
- 18-08-2017
Amazing
What did you like most about The Happiest Refugee?
Anh's positivity throughout his life experience
What other book might you compare The Happiest Refugee to, and why?
none that I have read
What about Anh Do’s performance did you like?
everything! he tells the story so well
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
the whole story was very moving and emotional
Any additional comments?
This is by far one of the best audiobooks I have ever listened to. Ahn does a great job narrating the story of his life. He truly is an inspiration
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Simon Forsyth
- 20-07-2018
Despite narration and writing shortfalls
Anh is pretty poor as a narrator, and the story is all over the place in time, pacing, completeness, description. Strangely, none of that seems to matter. This is one of the best listens that I have come across in a long time. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Vien Le Tran
- 21-12-2020
A beautiful story that I can relate
Recommended bedtime listen - guaranteed laughs every chapter. If you’re an immigrant you’ll relate if you’re curious you’ll learn
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 11-05-2020
This was utterly heartwarming and so funny
I must admit that I have a thing that when I do non fiction I have to do it in one sitting; this book I finished in one day in between uni classes. Anh makes me enthused to continue perusing performance, even though I'm doing a degree I don't want a job in. God bless Anh Do and your family <3 May you all keep laughing and loving.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 28-10-2019
The Happiest Refugee
Such a heartwarming affirmation of life even in the face of adversity. A delightful read!!
16 Best Audiobooks by Aboriginal Authors
Across genres, there’s no shortage of brilliant titles from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers of Australia.



25 Best Celebrity Audiobooks
It’s always a pleasant surprise to pick up a familiar story and find an unexpected famous friend in the narrator’s booth.



Best Audiobooks of 2020
We've crunched the numbers, heard from our listeners and gotten expert opinions to round up the best listens of 2020.


