Share this
The Happiest Man On Earth
by Eddie Jaku
Published by Pan McMillan
ISBN 9781760980085
A story of survival to happiness, a poignant story from a remarkable man, who despite all his horrific suffering during the Holocaust, still saw the good in people and, amazingly he lived to 101 years of age.
It is beautifully written, his story flows in his own words from the time of childhood in a loving family, his many happy memories, to the horrors he endured throughout World War 2 and this dreadful time in history.
He begins by saying that always considered himself to be a good German who was proud of his country, although he knew there was rampant anti-semitism and studied at boarding school under an assumed name so that his religion would not be revealed.
However that all changed dramatically in 1938 when after he returned home to see his loving parents, from studying several hours away. He arrived home to find they were missing, hoping they had escaped the Nazis. As he was tired from the journey he went to sleep in his bed in his old childhood room. He was brutally awoken by ten Nazis who pulled him out of his bed and was badly beaten and his beloved dog was shot trying to protect him. This was on the infamous Kristellnacht - Night of the Broken Glass.
He was arrested and from there he lived through the horrors of Buchenwald, Auschwitz and then forced to march as so many others were, on the death march.
Eddie Jaku OAM has written this book as if he was talking to the reader as someone would talk with a friend explaining in some detail what happened throughout the coming years.
Fortunately and thanks to his father insisting on him getting a good education as an engineer, not only did it save his life, but there were times when some guards or factory managers showed a little kindness to him. He was considered to be economically viable to the German war efforts and therefore saved from being sent to the gas chambers.
His determination to live shines through.Despite so much suffering he felt he owed his survival to his parents who were murdered, his sister whom he eventually found and was suffering as she worked in unimaginably cruel circumstances in the concentration camp factory and for all his relations who were killed.
Not only did Eddie Jaku OAM survive against all odds, he went on to create a happy and successful life in Sydney. He vowed that once free he would do what he could to lead a happy life.
Indeed, he did and married, came to live in Australia, had children, grand children and great grandchildren. He also was an integral part of founding the Sydney Jewish Museum. He spoke to thousands of school children, was invited and spoke at a TEDx in Sydney that has now been viewed almost 1.4 million times on YouTube.
You can watch it TEDx talk here.
Highly recommend reading, it will keep you riveted and you may be inspired by Eddie Jaku's outlook that happiness can be achieved despite all the odds.
This is independent review, I am not paid by the publishers, so.If you Liked this review, Buy me a coffee
