Author: John Kananda
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 1434353907
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 132
Book Description
This is a true story by Martha, a Kenyan High School graduate. She was only 18 when, motivated by desire to have gainful employment, she applied and won green card to live, work and study in USA. The application was a gamble. The win was a surprise but only the beginning of many more surprises. The step by step journey from selection to landing in the United States as legal immigrant is both inspiring and informative. She exposes challenges that confront young people with great promise but limited resources. With no experience she finds herself planning, traveling, meeting and living with strangers. She credits her moral courage to her parents who brought her up in a Godly manner and exposed her to both rural and urban way of life. Dad's parting words at the airport still linger in her mind Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven. James 1: 17. Different views about life in America are expected from relatives and friends to anyone in similar situation. As she contemplates on the positives and negatives, she draws strength from her American host, Joakim who said, America is not an advisable destination for the lazy and unimaginative minds. A good test should be: If you can make it in Africa, you will excel in USA. He went on to say .When you come to America, work hard; enroll in classes to study and stay focused. Keep good company and avoid anyone who would lead you to engage in self destructive activities. The second part of the book is relevant information, readily available in public domain, which Martha found helpful in her settling process in America. It is helpful not only to newly landed immigrants but also those who have been in the country for many years.
Green Card Lottery and the American Dream
Author: John Kananda
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 1434353907
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 132
Book Description
This is a true story by Martha, a Kenyan High School graduate. She was only 18 when, motivated by desire to have gainful employment, she applied and won green card to live, work and study in USA. The application was a gamble. The win was a surprise but only the beginning of many more surprises. The step by step journey from selection to landing in the United States as legal immigrant is both inspiring and informative. She exposes challenges that confront young people with great promise but limited resources. With no experience she finds herself planning, traveling, meeting and living with strangers. She credits her moral courage to her parents who brought her up in a Godly manner and exposed her to both rural and urban way of life. Dad's parting words at the airport still linger in her mind Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven. James 1: 17. Different views about life in America are expected from relatives and friends to anyone in similar situation. As she contemplates on the positives and negatives, she draws strength from her American host, Joakim who said, America is not an advisable destination for the lazy and unimaginative minds. A good test should be: If you can make it in Africa, you will excel in USA. He went on to say .When you come to America, work hard; enroll in classes to study and stay focused. Keep good company and avoid anyone who would lead you to engage in self destructive activities. The second part of the book is relevant information, readily available in public domain, which Martha found helpful in her settling process in America. It is helpful not only to newly landed immigrants but also those who have been in the country for many years.
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 1434353907
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 132
Book Description
This is a true story by Martha, a Kenyan High School graduate. She was only 18 when, motivated by desire to have gainful employment, she applied and won green card to live, work and study in USA. The application was a gamble. The win was a surprise but only the beginning of many more surprises. The step by step journey from selection to landing in the United States as legal immigrant is both inspiring and informative. She exposes challenges that confront young people with great promise but limited resources. With no experience she finds herself planning, traveling, meeting and living with strangers. She credits her moral courage to her parents who brought her up in a Godly manner and exposed her to both rural and urban way of life. Dad's parting words at the airport still linger in her mind Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven. James 1: 17. Different views about life in America are expected from relatives and friends to anyone in similar situation. As she contemplates on the positives and negatives, she draws strength from her American host, Joakim who said, America is not an advisable destination for the lazy and unimaginative minds. A good test should be: If you can make it in Africa, you will excel in USA. He went on to say .When you come to America, work hard; enroll in classes to study and stay focused. Keep good company and avoid anyone who would lead you to engage in self destructive activities. The second part of the book is relevant information, readily available in public domain, which Martha found helpful in her settling process in America. It is helpful not only to newly landed immigrants but also those who have been in the country for many years.
Immigration and the American Dream
Author: Margaret Sands Orchowski
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 9780742558748
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 284
Book Description
In Immigration and the American Dream, Margaret Sands Orchowski cuts through the rhetoric, labels, political spin, myths, mantras, and misinformation and discusses the facts about immigration-past, present and future. Filled with accessible anecdotes and quotes from prominent individuals and newspapers, the book frames and defines the relevant issues, and looks at the politics behind Congressional immigration reform initiatives.
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 9780742558748
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 284
Book Description
In Immigration and the American Dream, Margaret Sands Orchowski cuts through the rhetoric, labels, political spin, myths, mantras, and misinformation and discusses the facts about immigration-past, present and future. Filled with accessible anecdotes and quotes from prominent individuals and newspapers, the book frames and defines the relevant issues, and looks at the politics behind Congressional immigration reform initiatives.
The American Dream
Author: Harmon Leon
Publisher: Bold Type Books
ISBN: 1568583524
Category : Humor
Languages : en
Pages : 306
Book Description
Leon draws upon his experiences of adopting personas and disguises to infiltrate the various institutions of everyday life, which he chronicles in this work that is a funny, satirical, and ultimately poignant take on what it means to be an American today.
Publisher: Bold Type Books
ISBN: 1568583524
Category : Humor
Languages : en
Pages : 306
Book Description
Leon draws upon his experiences of adopting personas and disguises to infiltrate the various institutions of everyday life, which he chronicles in this work that is a funny, satirical, and ultimately poignant take on what it means to be an American today.
Over Here
Author: Edward Humes
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN: 9780151007103
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 336
Book Description
Here are the stories of some of the men and women returning from World War II, and how their lives changed because of the G.I. Bill of Rights, and how this country changed because of them. The effects were immediate and enduring--the suburbs, the middle class, America's ever-increasing number of college graduates, the lunar landing--all are tied to the G.I. Bill.
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN: 9780151007103
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 336
Book Description
Here are the stories of some of the men and women returning from World War II, and how their lives changed because of the G.I. Bill of Rights, and how this country changed because of them. The effects were immediate and enduring--the suburbs, the middle class, America's ever-increasing number of college graduates, the lunar landing--all are tied to the G.I. Bill.
Waking Up From An American Dream
Author: Ellias Aghili Dehnavi
Publisher: tredition
ISBN: 334712829X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 90
Book Description
The foreign policy of the United States is its interactions with foreign nations and how it sets standards of interaction for its organizations, corporations and system citizens of the United States. The officially stated goals of the foreign policy of the United States of America, including all the Bureaus and Offices in the United States Department of State, as mentioned in the Foreign Policy Agenda of the Department of State, are "to build and sustain a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world for the benefit of the American people and the international community". In addition, the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs states as some of its jurisdictional goals: "export controls, including nonproliferation of nuclear technology and nuclear hardware; measures to foster commercial interaction with foreign nations and to safeguard American business abroad; international commodity agreements; international education; and protection of American citizens abroad and expatriation". U.S. foreign policy and foreign aid have been the subject of much debate, praise and criticism, both domestically and abroad. In this book, we have done our best to analyze the strange but rooted method that Donald Trump has applied and imposed on his department of states' blueprints; a mixture of Jacksonism and the politics of containment can be still seen in Trump's notions; how he deals with the countries of opposition can be named as the politics of containment. If you are interested in reading a book which depicts his strange but yet traditional politics of Donald Trump, this is your book! You may wake up from your American Dream after finishing reading this book!
Publisher: tredition
ISBN: 334712829X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 90
Book Description
The foreign policy of the United States is its interactions with foreign nations and how it sets standards of interaction for its organizations, corporations and system citizens of the United States. The officially stated goals of the foreign policy of the United States of America, including all the Bureaus and Offices in the United States Department of State, as mentioned in the Foreign Policy Agenda of the Department of State, are "to build and sustain a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world for the benefit of the American people and the international community". In addition, the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs states as some of its jurisdictional goals: "export controls, including nonproliferation of nuclear technology and nuclear hardware; measures to foster commercial interaction with foreign nations and to safeguard American business abroad; international commodity agreements; international education; and protection of American citizens abroad and expatriation". U.S. foreign policy and foreign aid have been the subject of much debate, praise and criticism, both domestically and abroad. In this book, we have done our best to analyze the strange but rooted method that Donald Trump has applied and imposed on his department of states' blueprints; a mixture of Jacksonism and the politics of containment can be still seen in Trump's notions; how he deals with the countries of opposition can be named as the politics of containment. If you are interested in reading a book which depicts his strange but yet traditional politics of Donald Trump, this is your book! You may wake up from your American Dream after finishing reading this book!
Dying for the American Dream
Author: David Brown
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 1418406856
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 528
Book Description
Confrontations between nations, which were previously seen as wars on open battlefields, changed dramatically during the Twentieth Century. With "volunteer" units appearing to aid the participants on both sides of the fray. These units varied from the AEF in England prior to the US entry into World War II, and the Flying Tigers fighting the Japanese in China, to the Chinese divisions aiding the North Koreans during the Korean war. Suddenly the line between nations at war and those at peace became blurred, and at times indistinguishable. The true nature of the conflict was contained in the diplomat's pouch. Such confrontations required brilliant and unorthodox solutions to eliminate the threat from hostile governments. While this is a work of fiction, set in the 1951 Korean conflict, it illustrates the lengths to which governments will go to find acceptable resolutions. Belly Of The Dragon is about military personnel "detached" to the CIA and trained as agents. These "civilians" are to destroy a military objective, a jet engine factory deep in the heart of China. The real story emerges after the successful destruction of the target. Two men, of the nine who started, are alive. One, now suffering from a severe head wound, becomes part time brutishly insane, part time childish coward. Strong hatred on one side and deep resentment on the other seethes under the surface as the two must temporarily put aside their differences in order to survive the five hundred-mile trek to the coast. Both are wounded and sick, tall white men in a country of small yellow people. Stolen trucks, stolen motorcycles, and stolen boats are their modes of travel, always accompanied by their fear. Living off the land, they travel by night, in darkened vehicles on unknown roads and trails. Unable to steal enough food, even unable to keep themselves clean. Raiding a herbalist's shop in a small village, they find, by smell, medicine they remember having used as a child. Caught in the act by the "herbalist", they struggle, and accidentally set fire to the village, which burns like tinder bringing all the villagers out of their houses threatening to block their escape. Capture is inevitable, and a river patrol comes upon them as they sleep. Beaten and humiliated, they are being transported to the patrol headquarters, but luck and savage resistance allows them to overpower their captors and steal the boat. An early October winter storm adds to their peril, as the temperature plummets and blinding snow and freezing rain obscures their passage. Their wounds have become worse to the point that neither is able to go on, and the will to live or fight is fast ebbing away. Recklessly, John forces the boat forward, in spite of the weather, and his actions lead to a crash on the rocks of mighty rapids. The boat is destroyed, and they are stranded on the rocks far from the shore. One is trapped inside the boat rubble. The other decides to leave him, assuming he is dead, but what if he is only wounded, the Marine code of honor won't allow him to walk away. Finally, they are assisted by people who have been mistreated by the "New Government of the People." But it is still a long way to the coast and rescue, too far to make it by the time the pick-up team arrives, unless the wounded man is left behind. "Who would ever know?" But, it may be a moot point. In Washington, the President, who knows the mission has been successful, begins to hope that there are no survivors. Survivors could become an embarrassment to the administration, if word of the raid into neutral territory, is discovered by the UN or the opposing political party. Director Dolly of the CIA, points out, that if the President wishes there were no survivors, such a thing can be arranged. Although the thought
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 1418406856
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 528
Book Description
Confrontations between nations, which were previously seen as wars on open battlefields, changed dramatically during the Twentieth Century. With "volunteer" units appearing to aid the participants on both sides of the fray. These units varied from the AEF in England prior to the US entry into World War II, and the Flying Tigers fighting the Japanese in China, to the Chinese divisions aiding the North Koreans during the Korean war. Suddenly the line between nations at war and those at peace became blurred, and at times indistinguishable. The true nature of the conflict was contained in the diplomat's pouch. Such confrontations required brilliant and unorthodox solutions to eliminate the threat from hostile governments. While this is a work of fiction, set in the 1951 Korean conflict, it illustrates the lengths to which governments will go to find acceptable resolutions. Belly Of The Dragon is about military personnel "detached" to the CIA and trained as agents. These "civilians" are to destroy a military objective, a jet engine factory deep in the heart of China. The real story emerges after the successful destruction of the target. Two men, of the nine who started, are alive. One, now suffering from a severe head wound, becomes part time brutishly insane, part time childish coward. Strong hatred on one side and deep resentment on the other seethes under the surface as the two must temporarily put aside their differences in order to survive the five hundred-mile trek to the coast. Both are wounded and sick, tall white men in a country of small yellow people. Stolen trucks, stolen motorcycles, and stolen boats are their modes of travel, always accompanied by their fear. Living off the land, they travel by night, in darkened vehicles on unknown roads and trails. Unable to steal enough food, even unable to keep themselves clean. Raiding a herbalist's shop in a small village, they find, by smell, medicine they remember having used as a child. Caught in the act by the "herbalist", they struggle, and accidentally set fire to the village, which burns like tinder bringing all the villagers out of their houses threatening to block their escape. Capture is inevitable, and a river patrol comes upon them as they sleep. Beaten and humiliated, they are being transported to the patrol headquarters, but luck and savage resistance allows them to overpower their captors and steal the boat. An early October winter storm adds to their peril, as the temperature plummets and blinding snow and freezing rain obscures their passage. Their wounds have become worse to the point that neither is able to go on, and the will to live or fight is fast ebbing away. Recklessly, John forces the boat forward, in spite of the weather, and his actions lead to a crash on the rocks of mighty rapids. The boat is destroyed, and they are stranded on the rocks far from the shore. One is trapped inside the boat rubble. The other decides to leave him, assuming he is dead, but what if he is only wounded, the Marine code of honor won't allow him to walk away. Finally, they are assisted by people who have been mistreated by the "New Government of the People." But it is still a long way to the coast and rescue, too far to make it by the time the pick-up team arrives, unless the wounded man is left behind. "Who would ever know?" But, it may be a moot point. In Washington, the President, who knows the mission has been successful, begins to hope that there are no survivors. Survivors could become an embarrassment to the administration, if word of the raid into neutral territory, is discovered by the UN or the opposing political party. Director Dolly of the CIA, points out, that if the President wishes there were no survivors, such a thing can be arranged. Although the thought
Buddies and the American Dream
Author: Ben Dosso
Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
ISBN: 1638297975
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 255
Book Description
Buddies are well-organized groups of teen hackers from Ivory Coast, West Africa. They can hack anything they want. They scam international institutions, credit and debit cards, international humanitarian organizations, armies, transport companies and more. They work hand-in-hand with bank workers, law enforcement officers and men in power of different countries so that they can safely blow thousands of dollars in one night to have fun in nightclubs in the best cities around the world and scam the next day again for fun. They come with the mission of hacking to the west for vengeance and go back to Africa. Will they ever be caught?
Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
ISBN: 1638297975
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 255
Book Description
Buddies are well-organized groups of teen hackers from Ivory Coast, West Africa. They can hack anything they want. They scam international institutions, credit and debit cards, international humanitarian organizations, armies, transport companies and more. They work hand-in-hand with bank workers, law enforcement officers and men in power of different countries so that they can safely blow thousands of dollars in one night to have fun in nightclubs in the best cities around the world and scam the next day again for fun. They come with the mission of hacking to the west for vengeance and go back to Africa. Will they ever be caught?
Win the Green Card Lottery! the Complete Do-It-Yourself Guide to the USA Diversity Visa Lottery, 2005 Edition
Author: Marybeth Rael
Publisher:
ISBN: 0970508972
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 184
Book Description
The diversity visa lottery is a complex process that can make or break a family's entry into the United States. Each year millions apply for a green card, but many fail because they do not follow the ever-changing requirements or have prior knowledge of the rules. With this in mind, Marybeth Rael and J. Stephen Wilson developed Win the Green Card Lottery! The COMPLETE Do-It-Yourself Guide. Edited by James T. Daly, Attorney At Law, the 2005 edition for DV-2007 outlines the entire procedure from entering the lottery to obtaining a permanent resident visa. They also offer the only independent review of lottery services for those who need third party assistance. Now in its fourth year, this inexpensive guide provides over 20 crucial tips and essential guidelines to help eliminate common mistakes throughout the process, plus an entire chapter devoted to lottery winners. With these easy-to-read instructions, entrants will: Submit photographs that meet current State Department requirements, Understand the latest lottery rules to easily register themselves online, Comprehend instructions for registering family members, Determine qualifications for alternate state chargeability, Recognize why lottery entrants are disqualified, Enter multiple applications where instructed, Avoid costly pitfalls that can prevent you from obtaining a visa, Know what to do if out of status and win the lottery, Identify other ways to get a green card, Pass the visa interview, and much more. Author Marybeth Rael wrote Win the Green Card Lottery! based on her experience with the American Green Card Lottery Network, a lottery service she established to help prospective immigrants prepare diversity visa applications. Shealso wrote the first book dedicated to the visa lottery published by Self-Counsel Press in 2002. J. Stephen Wilson is the co-author, publisher and owner of mygreencard.com, a leading green card lottery informational site featuring weekly immigration news, and immigration books, reports, and related publications. Editor James T. Daly is a practicing immigration attorney specializing in visa and other immigration matters. His firm, Daly Law Office, is located in Santa Barbara, California. Jim is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Publisher:
ISBN: 0970508972
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 184
Book Description
The diversity visa lottery is a complex process that can make or break a family's entry into the United States. Each year millions apply for a green card, but many fail because they do not follow the ever-changing requirements or have prior knowledge of the rules. With this in mind, Marybeth Rael and J. Stephen Wilson developed Win the Green Card Lottery! The COMPLETE Do-It-Yourself Guide. Edited by James T. Daly, Attorney At Law, the 2005 edition for DV-2007 outlines the entire procedure from entering the lottery to obtaining a permanent resident visa. They also offer the only independent review of lottery services for those who need third party assistance. Now in its fourth year, this inexpensive guide provides over 20 crucial tips and essential guidelines to help eliminate common mistakes throughout the process, plus an entire chapter devoted to lottery winners. With these easy-to-read instructions, entrants will: Submit photographs that meet current State Department requirements, Understand the latest lottery rules to easily register themselves online, Comprehend instructions for registering family members, Determine qualifications for alternate state chargeability, Recognize why lottery entrants are disqualified, Enter multiple applications where instructed, Avoid costly pitfalls that can prevent you from obtaining a visa, Know what to do if out of status and win the lottery, Identify other ways to get a green card, Pass the visa interview, and much more. Author Marybeth Rael wrote Win the Green Card Lottery! based on her experience with the American Green Card Lottery Network, a lottery service she established to help prospective immigrants prepare diversity visa applications. Shealso wrote the first book dedicated to the visa lottery published by Self-Counsel Press in 2002. J. Stephen Wilson is the co-author, publisher and owner of mygreencard.com, a leading green card lottery informational site featuring weekly immigration news, and immigration books, reports, and related publications. Editor James T. Daly is a practicing immigration attorney specializing in visa and other immigration matters. His firm, Daly Law Office, is located in Santa Barbara, California. Jim is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
The American Dream Blueprint
Author: Nathan Venture, D
Publisher: eBookIt.com
ISBN: 1456653237
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 176
Book Description
Embark on Your Journey to American Citizenship Have you ever dreamt of calling the United States your permanent home? Whether it's for the opportunities, the culture, or the promise of a new beginning, achieving U.S. citizenship is a pathway to unlocking the full spectrum of the American Dream. The American Dream Blueprint: Your Ultimate Guide to US Citizenship is an indispensable resource designed to guide you every step of the way. This comprehensive guide starts with an insightful Introduction, preparing you to embark on your journey to citizenship. From understanding the intricacies of eligibility and the application process to the essential knowledge of America's foundational history and democratic principles, this book leaves no stone unturned. You'll gain a thorough understanding of the different paths to citizenship, from green cards to naturalization and beyond. Dive deep into the roots and principles of American democracy, exploring the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the complexities of federalism. Learn how the U.S. government is structured, with detailed explanations of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Comprehend your voting rights, the political landscape, and the significance of civic participation. Your journey doesn't end there. Equip yourself with the knowledge of your rights and responsibilities as a future citizen, the cultural diversity of American society, and the fundamental aspects of the U.S. economy. Prepare diligently for the USCIS Civics Test with proven study strategies, sample questions, and essential tips to ace the interview and oath ceremony. Beyond achieving citizenship, this book encourages continuous learning and active engagement, ensuring that you keep the dream alive throughout your life as a new U.S. citizen. With invaluable resources, key historical documents, and practical advice, The American Dream Blueprint: Your Ultimate Guide to US Citizenship is your all-encompassing companion on the pathway to realizing your American Dream.
Publisher: eBookIt.com
ISBN: 1456653237
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 176
Book Description
Embark on Your Journey to American Citizenship Have you ever dreamt of calling the United States your permanent home? Whether it's for the opportunities, the culture, or the promise of a new beginning, achieving U.S. citizenship is a pathway to unlocking the full spectrum of the American Dream. The American Dream Blueprint: Your Ultimate Guide to US Citizenship is an indispensable resource designed to guide you every step of the way. This comprehensive guide starts with an insightful Introduction, preparing you to embark on your journey to citizenship. From understanding the intricacies of eligibility and the application process to the essential knowledge of America's foundational history and democratic principles, this book leaves no stone unturned. You'll gain a thorough understanding of the different paths to citizenship, from green cards to naturalization and beyond. Dive deep into the roots and principles of American democracy, exploring the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the complexities of federalism. Learn how the U.S. government is structured, with detailed explanations of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Comprehend your voting rights, the political landscape, and the significance of civic participation. Your journey doesn't end there. Equip yourself with the knowledge of your rights and responsibilities as a future citizen, the cultural diversity of American society, and the fundamental aspects of the U.S. economy. Prepare diligently for the USCIS Civics Test with proven study strategies, sample questions, and essential tips to ace the interview and oath ceremony. Beyond achieving citizenship, this book encourages continuous learning and active engagement, ensuring that you keep the dream alive throughout your life as a new U.S. citizen. With invaluable resources, key historical documents, and practical advice, The American Dream Blueprint: Your Ultimate Guide to US Citizenship is your all-encompassing companion on the pathway to realizing your American Dream.
Call Me American
Author: Abdi Nor Iftin
Publisher: Vintage
ISBN: 0525433023
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 322
Book Description
Abdi Nor Iftin first fell in love with America from afar. As a child, he learned English by listening to American pop and watching action films starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. When U.S. marines landed in Mogadishu to take on the warlords, Abdi cheered the arrival of these Americans, who seemed as heroic as those of the movies. Sporting American clothes and dance moves, he became known around Mogadishu as Abdi American, but when the radical Islamist group al-Shabaab rose to power in 2006, it became dangerous to celebrate Western culture. Desperate to make a living, Abdi used his language skills to post secret dispatches, which found an audience of worldwide listeners. Eventually, though, Abdi was forced to flee to Kenya. In an amazing stroke of luck, Abdi won entrance to the U.S. in the annual visa lottery, though his route to America did not come easily. Parts of his story were first heard on the BBC World Service and This American Life. Now a proud resident of Maine, on the path to citizenship, Abdi Nor Iftin's dramatic, deeply stirring memoir is truly a story for our time: a vivid reminder of why America still beckons to those looking to make a better life.
Publisher: Vintage
ISBN: 0525433023
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 322
Book Description
Abdi Nor Iftin first fell in love with America from afar. As a child, he learned English by listening to American pop and watching action films starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. When U.S. marines landed in Mogadishu to take on the warlords, Abdi cheered the arrival of these Americans, who seemed as heroic as those of the movies. Sporting American clothes and dance moves, he became known around Mogadishu as Abdi American, but when the radical Islamist group al-Shabaab rose to power in 2006, it became dangerous to celebrate Western culture. Desperate to make a living, Abdi used his language skills to post secret dispatches, which found an audience of worldwide listeners. Eventually, though, Abdi was forced to flee to Kenya. In an amazing stroke of luck, Abdi won entrance to the U.S. in the annual visa lottery, though his route to America did not come easily. Parts of his story were first heard on the BBC World Service and This American Life. Now a proud resident of Maine, on the path to citizenship, Abdi Nor Iftin's dramatic, deeply stirring memoir is truly a story for our time: a vivid reminder of why America still beckons to those looking to make a better life.