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The Happiest Man on Earth
The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor
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The Happiest Man on Earth
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
This inspirational memoir appeals to readers interested in history and military, particularly WWII and Holocaust studies. It offers valuable insights for those seeking stories of resilience and hope, and is especially recommended for young adults and anyone looking for profound lessons on gratitude and kindness.
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Description
A New York Times Bestseller
In this uplifting Holocaust survivor memoir in the vein of The Last Lecture and Man's Search for Meaning, a survivor pays tribute to those who were lost by telling his story, sharing his wisdom, and living his best possible life.
Born in Leipzig, Germany, into a Jewish family, Eddie Jaku was a teenager when his world was turned upside-down. On November 9, 1938, during the terrifying violence of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, Eddie was beaten by SS thugs, arrested, and sent to a concentration camp with thousands of other Jews across Germany. Every day of the next seven years of his life, Eddie faced unimaginable horrors in Buchenwald, Auschwitz, and finally on a forced death march during the Third Reich's final days. The Nazis took everything from Eddieโhis family, his friends, and his country. But they did not break his spirit.
Against unbelievable odds, Eddie found the will to survive. Overwhelmingly grateful, he made a promise: he would smile every day in thanks for the precious gift he was given and to honour the six million Jews murdered by Hitler. Today, at 100 years of age, despite all he suffered, Eddie calls himself the happiest man on earth. In his remarkable memoir, this born storyteller shares his wisdom and reflects on how he has led his best possible life, talking warmly and openly about the power of gratitude, tolerance, and kindness. Life can be beautiful if you make it beautiful. With The Happiest Man on Earth, Eddie shows us how.
Filled with his insights on friendship, family, health, ethics, love, and hatred, and the simple beliefs that have shaped him, this inspirational story offers timeless lessons for readers of all ages, especially for young people today.
This unforgettable memoir of hope reveals:
- A True Story of Resilience: Follow Eddie Jaku's journey from a German teenager through the horrors of Buchenwald and Auschwitz to a 100-year-old man who calls himself the happiest on Earth.
- Finding Happiness: Discover the promise Eddie made to smile every day, and learn his profound wisdom on the power of gratitude, tolerance, and kindness against unbelievable odds.
- WWII History: Witness the terror of Kristallnacht and the inhumanity of the Nazi death camps through the eyes of a survivor dedicated to honouring the six million Jews who were lost.
- Lessons on Gratitude: Learn from a man who lost everything how the simple choice to be grateful can transform unimaginable suffering into a life of joy and purpose.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780063097681
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 04 May 2021
Country: United States
Imprint: Collins
Illustration: Illustrations
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 23.0mm
Width: 161.0mm
Height: 235.0mm
Weight: 381g
Pages: 208
About the Author
Eddie Jaku OAM, was born Abraham Jakubowicz in Germany in 1920. In World War 2, 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 has lived since. Eddie has volunteered at the Sydney Jewish Museum since its inception in 1992. Edie has been married to Flore for 74 years. They have two sons, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. In 2020 Eddie celebrates his 100th birthday.
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