Happiest Man in the World Book Review

A truly inspiring individual who will motivate anyone

I received this book from a family members secret Santa one Christmas - another one like 'When to Jump'. I often ask for an ‘interesting book’ on my list of potential presents. I chose this as a present option a few years ago as I thought it would open up different genres of books than what I would normally go for, and I would be guilt tripped into reading something out of my normal selection. This book fit the bill perfectly.
I would never normally pick a ‘happiness’ book as I have this perception they wouldn’t offer practical advice. There’s also that perception if you read a happiness book in public, which is very shallow of me to think. Finally I don’t consider myself particularly unhappy so a book to tell me how to be more happy has never appealed.

Anyway, regardless of my preconceptions here I was with a happiness book that was on my shelf ready to be read. Let’s see how it goes!

Overview:

Eddie Jaku was a young Jewish man who was born and lived in Leipzig at the start of World War 2. Overnight his life was flipped upside down as his apparent friends and neighbours turned on him and other Jews in the city. He attempted to flee to Belgium and go into hiding, and on multiple occasions found himself crossing countries attempting to evade the Gestapo. He eventually was caught and over the remaining years of the war found himself in multiple concentration camps, including Auschwitz. This book not only explains the events that occurred throughout this time, but also how he processed the emotional side to it all.

Initial Impressions:

The book is very easy to read in the fact it’s large writing, split with photos relevant to the story and with short chapters. What isn’t easy at times is the message that is delivered across. The description of what Eddie had to go through, or his friends and family, is harrowing. What is apparent so early on is Eddies character, and for him to remain positive and optimistic. His kind nature to help others and to figure out solutions to the problems that arise.

Things I loved:

1/ How he condensed stories that weren’t relevant to the book, but no doubt was a story within itself. This won’t be a spoiler so you can read on! At one point in the book her has to walk for 2 months from Belgium to Spain. This is an insane distance, and to complete this during a war where you can only walk in the cover of darkness, where you are unsure who you can trust, makes it even more remarkable. This gets about as much attention in the book as I have described here. His ability not to distract the reader from the main purpose of the book is smart.

2/ Candid recount of events. This is tough to admit or to put into the ‘what I loved’ section as at times reading about his experience, and what other humans to can do to one another is really sickening. But burying our heads will only risk history repeating itself. Knowing the full extent of his past also allows for a bigger appreciation of his current mind set.

3/ His pragmatic and optimistic outlook on life. No spoilers again, and I will keep this brief, but he does find some element of peace with life and with the human race. Which is remarkable. This outlook allows you to reflect on your own, and potentially to apply this to situations you are currently going through.

4/ His perspective as a young man in war not in combat. I have read many accounts of young men who experienced war on the front line. This is the first I have read of someone who spent the entire was a prisoner, in forced labour attempting to avoid being killed by his captors. It offers a new perspective of war, which is equally disturbing and brave.

Who is this book for?

People who want to learn more about the war from the prisoners perspective, or for those who want to have a better understanding of the persecution Jewish people had to ensure during the war. I would offer a warning that some of the stories are tough to hear, and it could mean it triggers off some emotions which may be tough to process. It does end well for Eddie, but with a lot of consequences along the way.

Conclusion:

A really interesting book that I enjoyed reading, even if it was horrible to hear his experience at times. I really admired his resilience and pragmatism, along with his overall positive outlook on life in general. This book certainly was not what I would normally go for, and I probably won’t read something like it for a while as there were large parts that were tough to go through. But I do feel that everyone should know the events of WWII involving the Nazis and their goal of riding the world of Jews. I knew the holocaust occurred, but a first-hand account of their experience gives the detail to really shed light on how awful it was. The whole thing also puts in perspective whatever grudges or problems you are going through, that if someone like Eddie can get himself to the other side of it all and be happy – most people then can improve their happiness in some capacity.