The Happiest Man on Earth Audiobook By Eddie Jaku cover art

The Happiest Man on Earth

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

The Happiest Man on Earth

By: Eddie Jaku
Narrated by: Jacek Koman
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $16.00

Buy for $16.00

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

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

©2020 Eddie Jaku (P)2020 Macmillan Australia Audio 20th Century Historical Military Modern Wars & Conflicts World War II War Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking

Critic reviews

"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)
Inspiring Life Story • Powerful Message • Moving Testimony • Profound Insights • Hopeful Perspective
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
A harrowing story with lessons that everyone can heed. Fantastically written and performed. Very much recommend.

A must for everyone to hear

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I've never before heard of the terrible suffering of the Jews, disabled and human misfits as deemed in the Nazi Germany, in such passionate and truely horrific detail. Many other cruel events have happened before and since the holocaust, but the holocaust is a modern day event that must never be forgotten. Thank you Eddie Jaku for creating an enduring memory for us all.

Wonderful inspiring true life story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I've read a few holocaust survivour books, this one is arguably the best.
The reason, for me it takes the listener full circle through the emotional spectrum.
Very good listen, worth the credit for sure!

Goodness me!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A hopeful book for such a dark time. Excellent , wish it was longer. Worth the credit

should be 10 stars

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
love ,family , persistence, courage
I am grateful to have listened to the man's life

exceptional experience

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
It took me 2 days to listen to this book! Eddie is a pleasure to listen too - some of the stories are horrifying but Eddies attitude and perseverance is inspiring! A truly incredible man with a very important message!

Inspiring & heartfelt!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
For me I could only appreciate the message of kindness and Eddies life story after hearing the last two chapters. The horrors of holocaust were not in my focus when reading this book as I studied this material before. I reached for this book for insights on how he overcame the traumas. Only after reading the last two chapters the gaps in comprehension of his wisdom were filled. I would have loved to know more about his journey.

The last 2 chapters are the key

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Resilient. Loving. Graceful. Tragic. Loving. Memorable. Beautiful. This book truly is life changing. Simply breathtaking. What a gentleman.

This should be compulsory reading in schools.

As good as it gets - 6 stars

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Powerful story and a profound message. Makes you stop to smell the coffee and reflect on your own life. History as told by the people who were there is extremely insightful and powerful. I am so glad I read this book.

Makes one appreciate what we take for granted

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A book that reached deep into my heart, a history we should never forget and a reminder of what it takes to make the world a better place, start with “kindness”

A message that I will hold in my heart, “Do not live in anger and hatred”

Inspiring and moving

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews