The Happiest Moment of Your Life

A book to lift your spirits: inspiring stories of people’s happiest moments from a journey to every country in the world

It is said that fewer people have visited every country in the world than have been to space.

On May 30, 2025, Michael Angelo Zervos became one of them.

In every country he visited he asked a simple question: What is the happiest moment of your life?

This is not another step-by-step guide to happiness. What it offers instead are stories plucked from the thousands of people he met around the world, from the shores of the island nation of Tuvalu to the snow-capped mountains of Bolivia to the barbed-wire gates of North Korea.

Embedded in their answers are entire worldviews: philosophies of suffering and joy, of fate and agency, of love, loss, and survival.

This book will help you discover, as Michael did in his travels, the many forms that happiness takes and what we have in common with people across borders and from all walks of life. And it will show you that happiness is possible, wherever and whoever you are.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs