A New York Times Bestseller

In this uplifting memoir in the vein of The Last Lecture and Man's Search for Meaning, a Holocaust 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 Eddie--his family, his friends, and his country. But they did not break his spirit.

Against unbelievable odds, Eddie found the will to survive. Overwhelming grateful, he made a promise: he would smile every day in thanks for the precious gift he was given and to honor 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, The Happiest Man on Earth offers timeless lessons for readers of all ages, especially for young people today.

Life can be beautiful if you make it beautiful. It is up to you.

Eddie lived with his family and adorable dachshund, Lulu, in the beautiful city of Leipzig in Germany. But one day, into the sunshine of his childhood crept a dark, heavy cloud. Not a rain cloud. Much worse than that. Adolf Hitler came to power.

When Eddie was 18, he was sent to a concentration camp.

The story is framed as a conversation between 101-year-old Eddie and his great grandchildren - who are bursting with questions about the life of their Pépé.

The story of Eddie's life unfolds beautifully, sensitively, heartbreakingly through his words, and exquisite illustrations by Nathaniel Eckstrom.

SHORTLISTED FOR DYMOCKS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022 FOR YOUNGER READERS

La vida puede ser maravillosa. Depende de cómo decidas vivirla.

Eddie Jaku se consideraba alemán antes que judío. Siempre sintió un gran orgullo por su país, hasta que en 1938 fue arrestado por los nazis y trasladado a uno de sus campos de concentración. Aunque su formación como ingeniero le concedió ciertos privilegios, primero en Buchenwald y después en Auschwitz, Eddie sufrió horrores indecibles. Perdió a su familia, a sus amigos, a su país. Durante todos esos años, lo que le mantuvo con vida fue su amigo Kurt y la bondad de la gente.

Como superviviente del Holocausto y para honrar a todos aquellos que no pudieron hacerlo, Eddie se comprometió a sonreír todos los días y a vivir el resto de su vida con gratitud. A sus 100 años de edad, Eddie asegura que se siente el hombre más feliz del mundo. En estas memorias conmovedoras nos cuenta la historia de su supervivencia y de cómo, gracias a su optimismo, logró superar los mayores horrores y transformar el dolor en esperanza.

Un relato exquisito y conmovedor de una vida extraordinaria.

No he tenido el placer de conocer a Eddie, pero tras leer el libro siento que es mi amigo. Un libro precioso escrito por un ser humano extraordinario. Daily Telegraph

Estas memorias son la celebración de nuestra victoria contra el mal. Style