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The Happiest Man on Earth
The Happiest Man on Earth | Eddie Jaku
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 on 9 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 the 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.
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MysticFaerie
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5🌟/5🌟

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Floresj
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As his story is beyond ratable and emotional, the storytelling and message moves at an engaging clip. Incredible that he survived so many events, and I loved that he acknowledged his luck in many of those instances. Great Holocaust survivor book, and his message of being grateful for life is supported through his story.

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CRR
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Good book. I have read a few other Holocaust memoirs over the years. This one was similar but also different. The author had a little more opportunity than some, but also experienced the atrocities of the time. I liked his perspective so much. I agree that his story, and others like it, need to keep being told.

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MrsMalaprop
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What an incredible, beautiful human 🥹💔🥰🥲. Talk about resilience and overcoming adversity. Loved this so much.

Jeg He was such a compassionate, kind , forgiving man. A gem. That book for me was a keeper. I will read it again. His interviews are a delight. ❤️❤️❤️ 12mo
MrsMalaprop Agreed @Jeg ❤️. We can learn so much from people like him. 12mo
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Suet624
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A short but intense autobiography of Jaku‘s life. Despite all that happened to him and the unhappiness he continued to feel after being liberated, he grew to believe that his goal in life was to enjoy each day, to try to bring a smile to other‘s faces. He asks a lot of questions which all of us still ask. How could people be so influenced to become so evil and unfeeling? He has a TED talk if you‘d like to see him give a brief summary of his life.

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Suet624
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“Under the Nazi regime, a German man was not immediately an evil man, he was weak and easily manipulated. And slowly but surely, these weak men lost all of their morals and then their humanity.”

This feels relevant to today.

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WorldsOkayestStepMom
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It's truly amazing what Eddie survived.

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thebacklistbook
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Yes! I either read 1 chunkster steady or I read many at once. As long as they have differing plots I can keep it clear. The tagged is my best book this year. #wondrouswednesday

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booksaremyfavorite
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A wonderful book written by a survivor of the Holocaust. He decided to share his story at the ripe old age of 100. I‘m so glad he shared his story.

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thebacklistbook
Pickpick

Eddie (pronounced Addie) Jaku (jay-koo) takes us through his experience of the Holocaust. He shares loss, love, and joy of life. Please read this book. It is educational and poignant.

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chloebearsbooks

Alone we are powerless, but together we are strong.

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chloebearsbooks

May you always have lots of love to share,
Lots of good health to spare,
And lots of good friends who care.

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Blackink_WhitePaper
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🤗 Believe in miracles 🤞

#bookquotes #thinkpositivebepositive

Nute I do believe in miracles! 3y
DivineDiana @Nute As do I. ❤️ 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I love this 💙 3y
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Blackink_WhitePaper
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An inspiring survival story. Unimaginable value of friendship, kindness, love & spreading happiness. One of the must read books. 5🌟

#nonfiction2022 #survivor #memoir #holocaust #Jewishauthor #WW #bookspinbingo #freespace

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
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freeatlast1137
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Eddie details his experiences of the Holocaust and gives advice to everyone on how to be happy.

It‘s interesting the differences between Frankl and Jaku‘s viewpoint of the world after the Holocaust. Frankl is more forgiving while Jaku holds anger in the choices that some people made. As well as Frankl doesn‘t strive for happiness but understanding in suffering while Jaku focuses on being happy.

Book 2 of 2022

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kaysworld1
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I loved this books so much.
Read by a gentle soothing voice.
The story of the holocaust has alway been a subject I'm interested in learning all about.
My grandad was a child when it all happened so he had a few stories of his own.

#audobooks #lifestories #autobiographical #averymerryreadathon @TheSpineView

TheSpineView Awesome 🤩📖📚 3y
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kaysworld1
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This is an amazing book read with such passion and truth. You never really know what's going on in someone's life behind their smiles.

#Holocaust #lifestories ##auschwitz #survivor #audiobook #reading #audio #read #booknerd #books #hopeisfuel #friendship

kaysworld1 Hi @Nute you're my partner for #NewYearWhoDis in January, I'm so excited I've picked the books already that I want to read. I've just finished this one but it's not on the list you got, you can add it if you want and if you have anymore recommendations from now and till January I'd love to hear them 😊 3y
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CourtSmall
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Book 225/2021. Finished 18/9/21 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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MandyB
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Eddie's heartbreaking story is not only beautifully written but so easy to read. This book helped me be more mindful to practice gratitude for my life.

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LapReader
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Some of the free books I snuck into the house today while both my partner and I are working from home. No mean feat! Thanks to #SustainableStockton they were all for free! A couple of young adult books for my teenager are in there. The ones not featured are for my dad (war) and cousin (romance set in the country). They are both very predictable with their reading! My sister, Rheanna, who use to be a non reader recommended the tagged book to me.

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Smrloomis
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I started this ages ago and finally finished. Everyone should read this. Short and very moving. Highly recommended.

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Smrloomis
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AngeG
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A must read for every person in the world!!
Made me feel every emotion...🥺😤😊
💙❤🧡💛

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TrishB
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I wanted an inspiring first read, the details of Eddie‘s life 1938-1945 will make you angry and want to weep.
After surviving, he married and had a family and was determined to live his life happy. There are lessons about family, friends, love and kindness. A humbling read.
#jewishauthor #booked2021
#motivated #inspirednewyear

squirrelbrain Great first book! 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awwww ❤️ 4y
Caroline2 Ive felt a bit too down hearted this last year to read a Holocaust book. But they are always inspiring and humbling so might time to give one a go soon. 👍 4y
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Cinfhen So glad it didn‘t disappoint 💜 4y
TheKidUpstairs What an inspiring, thoughtful start to your year 💛💛💛 4y
TrishB @Caroline2 there is not a massive amount of intimate detail, he does his absolute best to concentrate on positives. That said, we all know what happened in them. 4y
TrishB @squirrelbrain definitely ❤️ 4y
TrishB @Cinfhen me too 👍🏻 listened to a couple of his talks too ❤️ 4y
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Jeg
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Simple writing, amazing story , quick read. This book should be essential reading for all high schools.
A story for now and always. A remarkable life and so very gracious.
#2020joybooks
@MrsMalaprop

Suet624 This sounds wonderful! 4y
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Messiejessie
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Eddie Jaku is a 100 year old man who survived the Holocaust. This book is not only about his survival but about hope, kindness, gratitude and happiness.