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The Happiest Man on Earth

by Eddie Jaku

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Narrator Jacek Koman

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Length 4 hours 54 minutes

Language English

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Summary
About the author

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

Praise for The Happiest Man on Earth

'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

'Jaku's memoir can be our private celebration of evil that was ultimately vanquished.' Country Style

'His tale is compelling and particularly pertinent as we struggle to make sense of challenging times.' Weekend Post

'He acknowledges suffering but resists being defined by it, adhering instead to his philosophy of choosing a radical form of humanity, a resistance both potent and infectious.' Australian Book Review

'What an amazing, beautiful human' Magda Szubanski

'A beautiful soul' Lisa Wilkinson

'Eddie is a human diamond, and his story of survival, hope and the importance of kindness is what the world needs now.' Zoë Foster Blake

Biography & Memoir History Nonfiction

Eddie Jaku OAM, was born Abraham Jakubowicz in Germany in 1920.

His family considered themselves German, first, Jewish second. On 9 November 1938, the night immortalised as Kristallnacht, Eddie returned home from boarding school to an empty house. At dawn Nazi soldiers burst in. Eddie was beaten and taken to Buchenwald. Eddie was released and with his father escaped to Belgium and then France, but was again captured and sent to a camp, and thereafter to Auschwitz. On route, Eddie managed to escape back to Belgium where he lived in hiding with his parents and sister. In October 1943, Eddie's family were arrested and again sent to Auschwitz where his parents were both murdered. In 1945, Eddie was sent on a 'death march' but once again escaped and hid in a forest until June 1945 he was finally rescued by Allied soldiers.

Eddie had volunteered at the Sydney Jewish Museum since its inception in 1992. Self-proclaimed as 'the happiest man on earth', he saw death every day throughout WWII, and because he managed to survive, he made a vow to himself to smile every day.

Eddie was married to Flore for 74 years. They have two sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Eddie passed away in October 2021, aged 101.