Call Me American - by Abdi Nor Iftin (Paperback)

Abdi Nor Iftin's memoir is a heart-wrenching yet hopeful account of his journey from war-torn Somalia to America, where he found refuge and a new lease on life.

As a young boy, Abdi fell in love with America after listening to American pop music and watching action films starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

When U.S.

marines landed in Mogadishu, Abdi cheered their arrival, seeing them as heroic as those in the movies.

However, when radical Islamist group al-Shabaab rose to power in 2006, it became dangerous to celebrate Western culture.

Abdi used his language skills to post secret dispatches, which found an audience of worldwide listeners.

Despite the danger, Abdi managed to flee to Kenya and eventually won entrance to the U.S.

in the annual visa lottery.

His journey is a testament to the incredible bravery and hope necessary to survive in the crosshairs of war and find a way out.

Abdi's story is an essential ur-immigrant tale, full of irreverent asides and suffused with appreciation for the humanity of others.

It is a panoramic and particular narrative that will leave readers both moved and inspired.