The Happiest Man on Earth
Eddie Jaku
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. more
208 pages, Hardcover
First published Macmillan Australia
4.62
Rating
75374
Ratings
6794
Reviews
Eddie Jaku
2 books 304 followers
Eddie Jaku OAM was born Abraham Jakubowicz in Germany in 1920. In World War Two, Eddie was imprisoned in Buchenwald and Auschwitz concentration camps. In 1945, he was sent on a 'death march' but escaped. Finally he was rescued by Allied soldiers. In 1950 he moved with family to Australia where he had lived since.Community reviews
Wow. It’s difficult to put this one into words. From the moment Holocaust survivor, Eddie Jaku, addressed me, the reader, as his friend, I felt emotional. The Happiest Man on Earth was both heartbreaking and inspiring. It was a fairly quick, but powerful read that I couldn't put down. more
In the few hours it took me to read this book I made a new friend, his name is Eddie, and I am sharing his story with you because I believe it deserves to be heard. We not only need to understand how he survived, but people also need to hear how he values friendship and kindness. The Happiest Man on Earth is a story of survival. It’s barely imaginable. I am not going to go deeper into Eddie’s story because he is the only person that can tell it accurately. more
OH MY GOD. I am SO GLAD I read this book. There's a story here - a fascinating survivor's tale - but most of all there is hope, and love, and above all, kindness. This is the story of a man who suffered through great tragedy and hardship, who spent years fighting one day at a time just to LIVE, and who came through it all with an unbreakable spirit. It's absolutely inspiring. more
The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie JakuNarrated by Raphael CorkhillDespite the fact that I listen to and read a lot of WWI and WWII historical fiction and true stories, I held off of listening to this book because we'd be listening to the words of a Holocaust survivor first hand. Eddie Jaku lived through so many horrors and saw so many horrors. He lost almost everything but in the end he found so much to appreciate. He never lost his love and appreciation for his mother and father and the fact that his parents prepared him, each in their own way, to deal with all that he had to go through. Eddie was not at just one concentration camp, he was imprisoned at several places. more
I wasn’t quite ready for another Holocaust survivor book. I’ve read a few and sought out the well-crafted films, but thought I had had my fill for a while. A friend gave me Eddie’s memoir for Christmas. I put it aside for a later date, but his photo on the book cover, his kind face, his inviting, all-knowing smile kept throwing me a hook. “MY DEAR NEW FRIEND” – these are his opening words. more
Vale Mr. Eddie Jaku 🕯 *** Winner - Biography of the Year 2021 ABIA Prize***“For future generations. ”War books are a dime a dozen. Some are good, some bad, some middling. But occasionally you get one that leaves your preconceptions at the door, and has you thanking your lucky stars for all the blessings that you have. more
I am so lucky that I read this book. I learned to be grateful that I can live in a peaceful world nowadays. Thank you Eddie for telling his story for us. We must be grateful if we are living in a free and democratic world. We must stand for human rights and freedom of speech. more
This book is a very quick read but it blew me away. Eddie Jaku wrote this at the age of one hundred in his house in Sydney, Australia. Eddie, as a German Jew, survived the second world war and all of the harrowing events that we know of today. He has a number tattooed on his arm, he lost most of his family and friends, he survived Birkenau and Auschwitz, he was beaten many times, nearly froze in camps and on trains, escaped to be recaptured, and was let down by some he considered friends, some of them Jews. Yet this man writes a book with such a title. more
The Happiest Man on Earth. Eddie Jaku, a holocaust survivor shares how he found gratitude, kindness and hope in the darkest of places. Eddie was imprisoned in Buchenwald and Auschwitz concentration camps, and, after narrowly escaping death on multiple occasions and being rescued by Allied soldiers, he finally found freedom in Australia. Words cannot describe how impacting and profound, beautiful, heartbreaking and awe inspiring this book is. Eddie's words are simple yet vivid, uncomplicated nor laboured, just his voice, pure and rich. more
A very beautiful soul is found in this inspirational story by Eddie Jaku. Eddie, You turned some of the most horrendous times in history into a love story of life. Like so many other Holocaust stories, the continuous violence and brutality portrayed is felt deeply in the heart and soul. Eddie's will to survive and his endearing friendship with Kurt gave him hope in the midst of an impossible net against survival. When six million Jews perished at the hands of the most brutal in mankind's history, he showed us the importance of embracing life to its fullest. more
Eddie Jaku, born in Leipzig in eastern Germany in 1920, was named Abraham Salomon Jakubowicz and by his friends, called Adi. But translated to English, that’s pronounced Eddie – so he wants his new friends, the readers of his book, to call him Eddie. Eddie’s family was large; his father was an immigrant from Poland and after settling in Germany, very proud of his adopted country. But all that changed for Eddie and his family when Eddie was arrested in 1938 and taken to Buchenwald. The Nazi’s war on Jews is well known – always horrifying – but Eddie’s first hand description of his time in Buchenwald, then Auschwitz and finally the death march are astounding. more
AMAZING. The Audiobook is 3 hours and 47 minutes >>>>>>>>>>WOW. And I'm Jewish --I know these stories -- but. Really. Saliva as a disinfectant…… And a letter opener to remove a bullet… 'nough said -- A REMARKABLE short TRUE story -- "EDUCATION is a LIFESAVER" . more
There are some people who I believe are put on Earth to make a difference. In my opinion, Eddie Jaku, was one such man. His memoir, The Happiest Man on Earth, was both heartbreaking and inspiring. I was unaware of Eddie Jaku’s inspirational story until I saw a friend on Goodreads had reviewed his memoir. Eddie’s character, thought process, determination and resourcefulness were always qualities Eddie and others tended to depend on. more
‘never give up hope. It is never too late to be kind, polite, and a loving human being’. Done and dusted in one sitting. I defy anyone to not get something from this short, poignant and heartfelt book. Eddie first felt the effects of Hitler’s government when he was forced to attend high school, far away from home, under a false name, as the local high school had already banned Jews from attending. more
The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie JakuSynopsis /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. more
Eddie is just amazing. I sobbed, I chuckled and I wondered how he could possibly be so positive. His survival is testament to how he approached life and survived a darkest of times. He makes you think that our current situation is heaven compared to those dark years. A fantastic book that should give all of us a chance to think and be grateful for where we are now. more
*https://mrsbbookreviews. wordpress. com4. 5 stars‘Through all the years I have learned this: life can beautiful if you make it beautiful. ’As soon as you open The Happiest Man on Earth, a 2020 Pan Macmillan Australia publication, you will gain a new life coach in Eddie Jaku. more
The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Such an incredible inspirational story by Eddie Jaku. Taking the horrific times through his life and changing it into a love of life. “The Happiest Man on Earth” is definitely a must read for everyone. more
I was really keen to read this book as I’d heard a bit about the author’s story & seen him interviewed on TV. His story truly is incredibly remarkable & needed to be shared. as he states in the book, he shares his story for other Holocaust survivors & also to teach people not to hate. The book definitely came at the right time, with so much division & hatred playing out on the News, particularly in the US. But though the story is amazing, something was lost for me in the retelling. more
“I never lost sight of what it is to be civilised. I knew that there would be no point surviving if I had to become an evil man to do it. ”The Happiest Man On Earth is a memoir by Australian Auschwitz survivor, Eddie Jaku, born Abraham Salomon Jakubowicz in Leipzig in 1920. The audio version, with an extra author note, is narrated by Jacek Koman. idyllic childhood cradled within a loving family abruptly comes to an end in 1933 when the Nazi Party begins imposing restrictions of the freedom of Jews. more
Die aktuellste und gleichzeitig vllt. letzte Zeitzeugenerfahrung zum Holocaust. Sieben Punkte für einen oft beklemmenden und informativen Erfahrungsbericht eines Leipziger Juden, der Buchenwald und Auschwitz sowie einige Fluchten durch Europa und zum Schluss sogar einen Todesmarsch überlebt hat. Schlussendlich baute sich Jaku mit Ehefrau und dann zwei Söhnen ein neues Leben in Australien als u. a. more
Este livrou chamou-me a atenção pela capa . qualquer livro que me transporte para os meus queridos avós é sempre uma compra obrigatória. Sabia que o tema era pesado e por vezes ficava um sentimento de tristeza e de peso na leitura, mas a esperança e o amor que o Eddie transmitiu ao longo de todo o livro comoveu-me bastante. como é que alguém passa pelas maiores atrocidades e ainda consegue sentir esperança . Recomendo bastante este livro e estou de coração cheio por ter conhecido o "amigo Eddie", como ele se intitula no final. more
Wonderful. Sometimes it takes courage to keep going in horrible situations, but this lovely man proves it is possible and you can still see good in the hard days. We do make mountains out of moll hills sometimes and it’s good to read book that shows you your life is easy compared with those during the Second World War. This lovely man will teach you courage and what it takes to survive. Wonderful . more
This is an excellent, well-written Holocaust's survivor's memoir. It is filled with optimism amidst the horrors, deprivation and tragedy of the Holocaust. Mr. Jaku's bravery, resilience, and courage are amazing. His messages of love, hope, and friendship are truly heart-warming. more
This is a very easy read and was knocked off in a couple of hours. It has been an honour reading about Eddie and his life and have nothing but admiration for him and how he was able to survive the disgrace, to put it very mildly indeed, that was the Holocaust. . more
This. Book. Is. Incredible. I have been sobbing for half an hour 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭One thing that has always fascinated me about Holocaust survivors is how they managed to find hope in the darkest of places. more
Eddie Jaku has written a powerful memoir about his experience during the Holocaust. His resiliency, courage, and compassion during an excruciating period is an inspiration for all who face challenges. Typical challenges pale in comparison to what Eddie faced yet he continually approached each day as a way to survive. His story about the power of friendship and the difference one friend can make between life and death reminds us to build strong, lasting friendships. In the face of evil, Eddie chose to always have a strong moral compass and to treat others with kindness. more
I’m glad I picked this book to read. Eddie Jaku is a real inspiration. Unimaginable brutality but still Eddie stayed positive throughout. Being hopeful, searching goodness in people, helping people, respecting friendship, timely action in choosing the given tasks and getting adapted to it, Eddie will stay in my mind and heart for long. Also to mention that heart attack moments whenever he tried to escape and when he gets caught 😔 and when he really made it, I read it twice to confirm and it gave a great relief. more
Não me sinto no direito de dar uma classificação a um testemunho como este. Que seja lido por toda a gente e que nunca deixe cair no esquecimento os terrores do passado. . more
At first I thought I was going to finish this book in one sitting as I was so invested in Eddie Jake's life and engrossed in his story. Then, I read chapter five: Hug your mother, which stopped me in my tracks and I had to take a break. One thing I hadn't really thought about was that the Jews in the camps "came from many different countries, classes and professions, all mixed together. " They spoke different languages and didn't have anything in common except Judaism, and even in this there were differences. Some were very religious, others not so much. more