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

Eddie Jaku is absolutely amazing. I’ve read a few books about the atrocities of the Holocaust, but hearing the firsthand account from one of the survivors is something that will stay with me for years to come. This was a quick read, completed in one short sitting, but had me in tears throughout. Sometimes tears of pain and sadness, but other times, tears of joy. I cannot begin to put into words all that Jaku went through, yet he still managed to appreciate the kindness of others he encountered that helped lead to his survival. I’m so glad I read this book and I highly recommend it to others. Thank you for sharing your story, Mr. Jaku.

And when that's done genuinely, we are all saved, here and now. Otherwise, history is bound to repeat. So, settle down a bit, read this book slowly and look within as you do so. What it is that you really want and hope for. Don't settle for the superficial stuff like better material things, but for the best things in life. You know. No one needs to tell you. And then go and remind a friend. And when you feel some pain, a seemingly dark emotion, check again: it's only a self-reminder to go back to truth and hope.

He is a huge inspiration and no other book about overcoming tragedy can even compare to it. Every time I start complaining about my life and feeling sorry for myself I will think of this book and change my perspective. I loved how he called the reader his dear friend throughout the book. Definitely a book everyone should read.

I chose this book not knowing what it was going to be about. Literally didn't even read the whole title just read "The Happiest Man on Earth" and decided to give it a read. I was just looking to read something to fall asleep to.Struggling with a lot of anxiety, I thought it would be a good read.Well, this book is a book you must read, everyone has to. It is a hard read at some points because you cannot believe the horrific things a human being is able to do. However, it reminds you of the important things in life and to be a good person.I recommend this book 100%. It is a short book too, so if you are not a reader it won't be hard for you to finish it, I promise it is worth it.

Being a child of the Holocaust (in a way - my parents escaped Austria just as it was being taken over and had to make a life in a totally new country - but I lost two aunts and one set of grandparents, while the other grandparents survived a work camp) I have been obsessed more than most with the horrors of WWII and the Nazis. I have read quite a few books on the war and the Nazis and a number of books on Auschwitz, in particular. I think this may be the last book on Auschwitz I will read for a while. It just affects me so much. This book is not a literary masterpiece, but written well enough for a person who survived the horrors of the camps and is not a professional writer. It is completely first person narrative, with no dialogue whatsoever. It comes across as totally genuine. At first I was relieved in that he seemed to escape the worst horrors of the camps. But then he eventually ended up in Auschwitz and recounted horrors there that I had not read about before. It really can be hard for me to read. He seems to have remembered so many details that I find it extraordinary. That probably is a result of his very scientific and well organized thought processes. I didn't give the book five stars for two reasons. The writing was adequate, but not outstanding. But most of all, I think the book got too preachy. The fact that having a friend who was there, after he lost his whole family, and how that kept him going is certainly something that he should relate to us. Likewise, the amount of damage a body can take and still survive when there is a positive attitude, I.e. mind over matter, is another very good point. Likewise, the idea that survival is, in essence, a way to win against evil like the Nazis. These are all very good points. But I think that the author went overboard in talking about these things. The book is what I would imagine his inspirational speeches are like. I think there could have been a little less of that and this would still have had a great impact. But four stars is still a very positive review and I highly recommend this, especially to people who don't know what being in Auschwitz was like.

The lessons learned from this book will change my life for the better. I can choose to be happy in spite of my circumstances.

This book was a book that I just came across, I decided to read it and I’m so happy that I did. I felt as if I was sitting in the same room with Eddie and he was personally telling me his story.

An amazingly sad but beautiful story filled with love and truth. Simple truths on living a purpose. Thank you my new friend.A great reminder on living and loving

Highly recommend this book . Good quality

Não podemos esquecer nunca!! Um livro comovente, muito bem escrito, com uma linda lição de que o amor vence sempre!! Bravo, Mr Jaku!

Wow!!! What a journey it was!!A must read for a young mind.The way you think and see this world changes dramatically.

Very moving and a message to the world, especially now in this time of increased unfounded hate towards one’s fellow humans. A guiding light, you will learn a lot about yourself by reading this

I’m no avid reader but I somehow finished this book in 4hrs. It’s that good! I could not put it down and it takes a hold of your heart. I was literally crying in public because of this book lol. I think this is one of those books that every person in existence should read. Simply beautiful.