Reviews

Call Me American: A Memoir by Abdi Nor Iftin

tperry's review against another edition

4.5

I would have liked to read even more about Abdi’s life in the U.S. All in all, an exceptional book about his journey from Somalia. I hope to understand my Somali neighbors in my city better after reading. 

genthebookworm's review against another edition

5.0

This was an amazing story. I listened to Abdi Iftin's book on Audible and it is one of the most amazing non-fiction books I have ever read. It was heartbreaking and also filled with hope, and his persistence was just so inspiring.

Call Me American is an amazing addition to the American immigrant literature genre and something I hope to read more of in 2019. Before reading this I did not know a lot about Somalia and so I learned so much not only about Iftin and his journey to America but also the modern history of Somalia. The war-torn country and his years-long journey to become an American citizen is something I will never forget.

It was such an important reminder for me about just how many people live in places like this and are fleeing their countries just for a chance at survival. I think this should be required reading for everyone. Thank you to Abdi Iftin for sharing your story.

dellibro's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative medium-paced

5.0

pilitoiz's review against another edition

hopeful informative inspiring reflective

5.0

lollybotrox's review against another edition

5.0

Such an excellent book about surviving against great odds in a country torn by decades of war. Abdi Nor Iftin is an incredible human being who never gave up on his dream of coming to America. I don't know at what point in his journey I would have given up. Abdi's story will always serve as a reminder to me when I'm feeling dejected that in the grander scheme of things, my troubles are so minor and that I have to dig deeper to overcome. This one was a page turner from the very beginning. Highly recommend.

spinnerdriver's review against another edition

hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense slow-paced

4.25

erika1421's review against another edition

5.0

Loved this book so much. Would give a 1000 stars if I could ❤.

hwks's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

I first came across Abdi's story on This American Life nearly ten years ago, and finally decided to pick up his memoir. This is an incredible memoir - Abdi tells <i>his</i> story, his experience in Somalia, his relationship to the USA and what that country means to him, but he places an incredible amount of context for the reader, who is likely less informed on Somali politics and history. It's commendable what he's achieved and amazing insight into what life, goals and dreams are to other people. I found it to be a pretty jarring wakeup call to my life, the things I take for granted, the issues I've never even contemplated because they've never been relevant. A very well done memoir.

staceyli's review against another edition

funny hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

4.5

janet_haviland's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

Holy smokes, I learned so much from this. Abdi’s story is incredible.