The Happiest Man on Earth: The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor

Written by Eddie Jaku

Narrated by Jacek Koman

'Eddie looked evil in the eye and met it with joy and kindness . . . [his] philosophy is life-affirming' – Daily Express

Holocaust survivor Eddie Jaku made a vow to smile every day and now believes he is the ‘happiest man on earth’. In his inspirational memoir, he pays tribute to those who were lost by telling his story and sharing his wisdom.

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.

The Happiest Man on Earth is a powerful, heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful memoir of how happiness can be found even in the darkest of times.

'Australia's answer to Captain Tom . . . a memoir that extols the power of hope, love and mutual support' – The Times

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• Release date: Nov 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9781529066357

Eddie Jaku

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 lived for over sixty years. Eddie was married to his wife Flore for 75 years and they had two sons, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He died peacefully in October 2021, at the age of 101.  

Reviews for The Happiest Man on Earth

[khristine garcia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Read this book twice. Very inspiring indeed. Thank you Mr. Eddie Jaku for sharing your story. I salute you Sir! I will not forget your story for the rest of life!

[Tracey Hutton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A deeply touching tale of hope, kindness and resilience in the face of unimaginable circumstances. Beautifully narrated. Thank you, Mr Eddie Jaku, for sharing your story. It was an honour to hear it. Highly recommended.

[Michael Niebur · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A book that everyone should read, a testimony of hope and restoration from one of the darkest periods of human history. Thank you Eddie

[wendy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A touching real story about hope and the choice you should make each day. Good read!