"The Happiest Man on Earth" by Eddie Jaku

The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku
Call Number: BIOGRAPHY JAKU
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'.

*ebook on Libby
*audiobook on hoopla

How does Eddie Jaku define happiness in the context of his life experiences, particularly as a Holocaust survivor? What lessons can we learn from his definition of happiness?
Jaku emphasizes the power of forgiveness and compassion throughout the memoir. Discuss instances in the book where Jaku demonstrates forgiveness, both towards others and towards himself. What role does forgiveness play in his pursuit of happiness?
The memoir is structured around Jaku's experiences during the Holocaust, including his time in concentration camps such as Auschwitz. How does Jaku convey the horrors of the Holocaust while also emphasizing resilience, hope, and humanity?
Jaku often reflects on the importance of gratitude and kindness in his life. How do these themes manifest in his interactions with others, both during and after the Holocaust? How do acts of kindness contribute to his sense of happiness?
Jaku's story highlights the impact of trauma and loss on individuals and communities. How does he cope with survivor's guilt and the loss of loved ones? How does he find meaning and purpose in the aftermath of such profound suffering?
Jaku emphasizes the importance of living each day to the fullest and finding joy in the present moment. How does he cultivate a positive mindset despite his traumatic past? What strategies does he use to maintain optimism and resilience?
Discuss the role of friendship and community in Jaku's life. How do his relationships with others, both fellow survivors and new friends, support his journey towards happiness and healing?
Jaku reflects on the enduring legacy of the Holocaust and the importance of bearing witness to history. How does he advocate for remembrance and education about the Holocaust? In what ways does his memoir contribute to this mission?
Jaku's story raises questions about the nature of evil and the capacity for compassion within humanity. How does he reconcile his experiences of cruelty and suffering with his belief in the inherent goodness of people?
Reflecting on Jaku's story, what insights or lessons can readers apply to their own lives? How does his journey inspire readers to cultivate resilience, gratitude, and compassion in the face of adversity?

Early Life and Holocaust Experience: Eddie Jaku was born on April 3, 1920, in Leipzig, Germany. He grew up in a loving Jewish family and worked in his family's business. However, his life drastically changed with the rise of the Nazi regime.

During World War II, Eddie Jaku and his family were persecuted by the Nazis due to their Jewish heritage. In 1942, Jaku was deported to the concentration camp at Auschwitz, where he endured unimaginable suffering, including forced labor, starvation, and the loss of loved ones.

Despite facing the horrors of the Holocaust, Jaku survived and was eventually liberated by Allied forces in 1945. He was one of the few remaining survivors of Auschwitz.

Post-War Life and Career: After the war, Eddie Jaku rebuilt his life, eventually immigrating to Australia in 1950 with his wife and son. Settling in Sydney, he established himself as a successful businessman and became actively involved in his local community.

Throughout his life, Jaku dedicated himself to educating others about the Holocaust and promoting messages of tolerance, understanding, and compassion. He frequently shared his experiences as a survivor through speaking engagements, school visits, and community events.

Author and Advocate: In 2020, at the age of 100, Eddie Jaku published his memoir, "The Happiest Man on Earth." The book chronicles his experiences during the Holocaust and his journey to finding happiness and purpose in the aftermath of such profound suffering.

"The Happiest Man on Earth" quickly gained widespread acclaim for its powerful message of resilience, forgiveness, and the triumph of the human spirit. Jaku's memoir has touched the hearts of readers around the world and continues to inspire people to embrace life with gratitude and compassion.

Legacy: Eddie Jaku's life story serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of hope in the face of adversity. Through his advocacy, education, and writing, he has made a significant impact in preserving the memory of the Holocaust and promoting messages of peace and understanding.

Eddie Jaku's legacy continues to inspire future generations to confront hatred and bigotry with empathy and compassion, ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten.

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl; Harold S. Kushner (Foreword by); William J. Winslade (Afterword by)
Call Number: 150.195 Frankl
Viktor Frankl's riveting account of his time in the Nazi concentration camps, and his insightful exploration of the human will to find meaning in spite of the worst adversity, has offered solace and guidance to generations of readers since it was first published in 1946. At the heart of Frankl's theory of logotherapy (from the Greek word for "meaning") is a conviction that the primary human drive is not pleasure, as Freud maintained, but rather the discovery and pursuit of what the individual finds meaningful. Today, as new generations face new challenges and an ever more complex and uncertain world, Frankl's classic work continues to inspire us all to find significance in the very act of living, in spite of all obstacles.
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch; Jeffrey Zaslow (As told to)
Call Number: 155.937 Pausch
When Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, was asked to give such a lecture, he didn't have to imagine it as his last, since he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. But the lecture he gave--"Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams"--wasn't about dying. It was about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment (because "time is all you have . . . and you may find one day that you have less than you think"). It was a summation of everything Randy had come to believe. It was about living.
The Escape Artist by Jonathan Freedland
Call Number: 940.5318 Freedland
In April 1944, Rudolf Vrba became the first Jew to break out of Auschwitz--one of only four who ever pulled off that near-impossible feat. He did it to reveal the truth of the death camp to the world--and to warn the last Jews of Europe what fate awaited them at the end of the railway line. Against all odds, he and his fellow escapee, Fred Wetzler, climbed mountains, crossed rivers and narrowly missed German bullets until they had smuggled out the first full account of Auschwitz the world had ever seen--a forensically detailed report that would eventually reach Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and the Pope. And yet too few heeded the warning that Vrba--then just nineteen years old--had risked everything to deliver. Some could not believe it. Others thought it easier to keep quiet. Vrba helped save 200,000 Jewish lives--but he never stopped believing it could have been so many more. This is the story of a brilliant yet troubled man--a gifted "escape artist" who even as a teenager understood that the difference between truth and lies can be the difference between life and death, a man who deserves to take his place alongside Anne Frank, Oskar Schindler and Primo Levi as one of the handful of individuals whose stories define our understanding of the Holocaust.
My Name Is Selma by Selma van de Perre
Call Number: 940.5318 Perre
When the war began, Perre lived with her parents, two older brothers, and a younger sister in Amsterdam. Being Jewish in the Netherlands had not presented much of an issue, but by 1941 it had become a matter of life or death. While her father was summoned to a work camp, her mother and sister went into hiding but were betrayed and sent to Auschwitz. Perre took on an assumed identity and joined the Resistance movement, using the pseudonym Margareta van der Kuit. Transported to Ravensbrück, she survived by using her alias.
The Book of Charlie by David Von Drehle
Call Number: BIO Von Drehle
When a veteran Washington journalist moved to Kansas, he met a new neighbor who was more than a century old. Little did he know that he was beginning a long friendship--and a profound lesson in the meaning of life. Charlie White was no ordinary neighbor. Born before radio, Charlie lived long enough to use a smartphone. When a shocking tragedy interrupted his idyllic boyhood, Charlie mastered survival strategies that reflect thousands of years of human wisdom. Thus armored, Charlie's sense of adventure carried him on an epic journey of the Jazz Age, racing aboard ambulances through Depression-era gangster wars, improvising techniques for early open-heart surgery, and cruising the Amazon as a guest of Peru's president. David Von Drehle came to understand that Charlie's resilience and willingness to grow made this remarkable neighbor a master in the art of thriving through times of dramatic change. As a gift to his children, he set out to tell Charlie's secrets.

Islington Branch Book Club - Past Titles: "The Happiest Man on Earth" by Eddie Jaku

"The Happiest Man on Earth" by Eddie Jaku

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