I am so thankful that I listened to this memoir. I had borrowed both the hardcover and the eAudiobook from the library but I strongly suggest the audiobook. Hearing Jaku's life story told to me by talented narrator Raphael Corkhill made this memoir even more poignant.
Readers will immediately be pulled into this short but powerful story about Eddie Jaku, a Holocaust survivor who, despite the horrors he faced during the war and his many near-death experiences, he remained hopeful and drew solace from his family and friends, finding joy in the tiniest of instances.
“The best balm for the soul is friendship.”
“It is never too late to be kind, polite, and a loving human being.”
Emotional, inspirational and eye-opening, this book is a good reminder that despite what life throws at us, we have a choice. And if we focus on even the briefest moments of happiness, they can bring us through the toughest times and perhaps we can be the balm for someone else.
“Your efforts today will affect people you will never know. It is your choice whether that effect is positive or negative. You can choose every day, every minute, to act in a way that may uplift a stranger, or else drag them down. The choice is easy. And it is yours to make.”
My Rating: 5 stars
Author: Eddie Jaku
Genre: Memoir
Type and Source: eAudio from public library
Narrator: Raphael Corkhill
Run Time: 3 hours, 47 min
Publisher: Audible
First Published: July 28, 2020
Book Description from GoodReads: Life can be beautiful if you make it beautiful. It is up to you.
Eddie Jaku always considered himself a German first, a Jew second. He was proud of his country. But all of that changed in 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 a 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'.
Published as Eddie turns 100, this is a powerful, heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful memoir of how happiness can be found even in the darkest of times.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments totally make my day!! I read each and every one and really try to reply to all messages posted. Thanks for stopping by my blog!