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A review by jenbsbooks
The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku
inspiring
sad
5.0
This book was available from the library (Hoopla/Libby), but the text is also included in KindleUnlimited. I went with the audio (not narrated by the author, but still with an accent to give that feeling), but know I really should go over the text, make some notes and highlights. I'll check out the quotes section here on GoodReads too.
I think this may top the "Auschwitz Survivor" memoirs for me. I connected more here than with[book:Night|1617], and [book:Beneath a Scarlet Sky|32487617] - which so many have loved, but felt SO over the top to me (and it's FICTION, even if there is some basis in actual events). Many of the ideas of "Man's Search for Meaning" and [book:The Choice: Embrace the Possible|30753738] are included here too ... in the prologue, he states "Happiness is something we can choose."
Written in a very conversational tone, this is simply an old man telling his life story (he does address the reader, "my friend"). While he discusses his very early years, his 13th year is where he really begins (1933). Hard not to make some comparisons with AnneFrank as well (although this is an older man's reflections, not a direct diary). Not 'as' in hiding as Anne, but going to school under an assumed name, completely on his own. Caught in 1938 on "the night of broken glass" and then shifted to various camps and experiences.
I appreciated that the chapters in Hoopla included the little "headers" for each chapter ... reading over these, ones can get a good glimpse of the topics covered/learned. I wish the Kindle copy included the header text on the Table of Contents instead of just a numerical chapter listing.
1. There are many things more precious than money.
2. Weakness can be turned into hatred.
3. Tomorrow will come if you survive today. One step at a time.
4. You can find kindness everywhere, even from strangers.
5. Hug your mother.
6. One good friend is my whole world.
7. Education is a lifesaver.
8. If you lose your morals, you lose yourself.
9. The body is the best machine ever made.
10. When there is life, there is hope.
11. There are always miracles in the world, even when it seems dark.
12. Love is the best medicine.
13. We are all part of a larger society, and our work is our contribution to a free and safe life for all.
14. Shared sorrow is half-sorrow; Shared pleasure is double pleasure.
15. What I have to share is not my pain. What I share is my hope.
I like just looking over these simple statements ... they really bring back what it talked about throughout the book in each connected chapter. I know had I read this, I would have made many notes and highlights (hard to stop and do when listening while multi-tasking).
I need to look up his TED talk - although I'm thinking it will be some of the same. I'd like to hear it from his own lips though.
I think this may top the "Auschwitz Survivor" memoirs for me. I connected more here than with[book:Night|1617], and [book:Beneath a Scarlet Sky|32487617] - which so many have loved, but felt SO over the top to me (and it's FICTION, even if there is some basis in actual events). Many of the ideas of "Man's Search for Meaning" and [book:The Choice: Embrace the Possible|30753738] are included here too ... in the prologue, he states "Happiness is something we can choose."
Written in a very conversational tone, this is simply an old man telling his life story (he does address the reader, "my friend"). While he discusses his very early years, his 13th year is where he really begins (1933). Hard not to make some comparisons with AnneFrank as well (although this is an older man's reflections, not a direct diary). Not 'as' in hiding as Anne, but going to school under an assumed name, completely on his own. Caught in 1938 on "the night of broken glass" and then shifted to various camps and experiences.
I appreciated that the chapters in Hoopla included the little "headers" for each chapter ... reading over these, ones can get a good glimpse of the topics covered/learned. I wish the Kindle copy included the header text on the Table of Contents instead of just a numerical chapter listing.
1. There are many things more precious than money.
2. Weakness can be turned into hatred.
3. Tomorrow will come if you survive today. One step at a time.
4. You can find kindness everywhere, even from strangers.
5. Hug your mother.
6. One good friend is my whole world.
7. Education is a lifesaver.
8. If you lose your morals, you lose yourself.
9. The body is the best machine ever made.
10. When there is life, there is hope.
11. There are always miracles in the world, even when it seems dark.
12. Love is the best medicine.
13. We are all part of a larger society, and our work is our contribution to a free and safe life for all.
14. Shared sorrow is half-sorrow; Shared pleasure is double pleasure.
15. What I have to share is not my pain. What I share is my hope.
I like just looking over these simple statements ... they really bring back what it talked about throughout the book in each connected chapter. I know had I read this, I would have made many notes and highlights (hard to stop and do when listening while multi-tasking).
I need to look up his TED talk - although I'm thinking it will be some of the same. I'd like to hear it from his own lips though.