An extraordinary true story, from Eastern European depths to American success, and vision.
357902
The Constant Choice is an extraordinary story, based on the author's personal experiences. It takes the reader through extreme hardship, but with a positive attitude, for a boy in communist Romania, amazing rescue, and exceptional success, including in business, in Amnerica.
That part of the book is a fascinating history of the times, with a very personal narrative.  And the book describes the author's constant search for understanding of Good vs. Evil in a harsh world. His particular path will not be for every reader, but the underlying issues are universal. It flows well, and offers a range of fascinating facts and views.
809565
This is a true story that every American should read.  A remarkable story of courage and friendship.
189414
Toulas account of leaving her Greek home for America is full of intricate details of family and village life, making this true story come alive. It's a moving, dramatic tale of extreme life circumstances, told through the sensitive eyes and soul of a young girl from Skopi. I was engaged from beginning to end. I loved it.
140885
A truly amazing story of hard work, motivation and talent that led from a village in rural Haiti to medical school, a Ph. D. and a faculty position at a major medical school. It gave me great insight into the lives of young people living in a nation in political and economic turmoil and the combination of merit, luck, tenacity, and hard work necessary to suceed sgainst the odds. I enjoyed it immensely.
4036593
Some books are informing and others entertaining. But few turn out to be riveting, leaving you unable to put the book down. Franco Antonetti's life story along with his very gifted and personable writing style make all three of these come alive with each turn of the page. Franco's honesty and openness take the reader to a place few have gone. In sharing his personal and professional triumphs as well as the challenges that comes with climbing the corporate latter and achieving success, the reader gains a rare insight into one of America's great immigrant success stories. Franco is a masterful story teller and his love for America and people make this book a must read. Please be warned though, that once you start reading this book that you will find it very difficult to put it down.
418986
A riveting drama documenting the true story of how one simple, but brilliant man doing his best each day can turn the world upside down by accidentally exposing one of the biggest tragedies and cover ups in American history.  His reward for discovering and publishing the truth about the devastating long-term effects of head trauma from football was to incur the wrath and power of the NFL.  Especially poignant is it all began in my home town, Pittsburgh, PA and with one of the players I grew up admiring, Mike Webster in a sport I personally played through college at Penn State.  One of the most inspiring and most tragic story lines in the movie is how it took an immigrant to teach us what America is suppose to be.  Don't miss this movie, you won't regret it.
4770831
Extraordinary true story of valor, leadership and American exceptionalism.
It's not just another "war story", although it is a great one. It demonstrates how and why we are a great people, capable of making individualist desicion-making, under extreme duress, for the great common good.
You want to read about a great American? Read this book and apply it's lesson to your own life
Evan Burge
2592039
This is an amazing story. If you want to be inspired by courage of some one striking out from a far away place and coming to America to get an education only to have to overcome language and social and financial challenges but succeed this book is a wonderfully inspiring read! It is a captivating story of determination.
3280449
I could not put down this book. I went through the pages, reading about the actions that John Foster and Allen Dulles had a taken on behalf of the United States. Driven by Communist paranoia, a strong religious conviction, a belief in American exceptionalism, and a lifetime spent servicing the wealthy corporations of America, these two men embarked on expeditions throughout the world, overthrowing Democratically elected governments who didn't fit their version of freedom. A vision where US corporations had the right to operate freely without the threat of nationalization from countries. A vision where a leader advocating nationalization of a resource such as oil or land is considered to be a Communist and is forcibly removed from power. The brothers believed that their vision would lead to stability and freedom in the countries that they intervened in. Instead, it brought war, oppression, and chaos to nations like Guatemala, Iran, and The Congo, to name a few. Some of the countries mentioned in the story have never recovered from the reckless exploits of these men. The world today is a very different place, thanks to the Dulles Brothers.
2069738
An inspiring story of success achieved by hard work and ethical behavior throughout his career. A frank and open discussion of his successes and failures (not many), coupled with his shortcomings. Particularly appreciated his behind the scenes discussions of board room negotiations on corporate governance. The clever weaving of his personal and family life, as it shaped his professional successes make for interesting reading. The book is well written, which makes it difficult to stop once you start reading. A must read for all first and second generation immigrants, as well corporate executives making their way up the leadership ladder.
4381823
Inspirational story about a man overcoming failure. The American dream.
2456734
A wonderful look at America through the eyes of a person that wasn't dealt a lucky hand of cards, but learned the hard way to become successful.  His amazing mother had great visions that made Dr. Carlson so successful.

A wonderful book that reflects his in depth perception in his laid back manner.

A good read and I suggest that it become required reading for high-schoolers especially in Detroit, MI
4783684
This book, Manchurian American, is a fascinating narrative of a determined individual's successful journey in pursuit of the "American dream."  Emerging from a war-scared childhood to a series of IBM directorates is an almost incomprehensible accomplishment, yet Yupin Wang did it.  I was one of the fortunate IBMer's who had an opportunity to work under Yupin in a variety of assignments, and I benefited from his eloquent wisdom and unique management style in each of them.  I have seen the evidence of his success as a husband and father as well, which rivals or surpasses his achievements as a corporate executive.  I highly recommend Manchurian American to anyone looking for an inspirational book for themselves or their children on overcoming obstacles and never giving up.  Yupin once said, "There is no shortcut to hard work."  He is living proof that he followed his own advice.
1636064
In his book, The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest For Gold in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Daniel James Brown chronicles the true tale of The University of Washington rowing crew as they row for college and country on the international stage. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and the rise of Nazi Germany, this incredible story shows how nine individuals from blue-collar backgrounds became the team which overcame tremendous obstacles to win Olympic gold.

The Boys in the Boat gives the reader a first-hand account of the grueling world of competitive rowing and the punishment and persistence it takes for even a chance to succeed in the sport. But the story is about much more than rowing. It is a personal perspective of the young men who fought a day-to-day battle to survive economic hardship and the prospect of world war. Brown is a gifted story-teller who has meticulously researched every facet pertinent to a comprehensive narrative with an emotional pull. Excellently written, the reader experiences every heart-breaking loss as well as every exhilarating triumph.

As a history buff, a sports fan, and a former resident of the Pacific Northwest, I found The Boys in the Boat both enthralling and inspiring. It is an extraordinary story of ordinary men who, in spite of incredible opposition, exemplify courage and perseverance to accomplish great glory for each other and for their country. The Boys in the Boat is a masterfully told tale that deserves to be read again and again. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

I was given a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
451632
Dr. Paton's book is an inspirational memoir about unwavering commitment,  professionalism and a dream of bringing the gift of sight to people in developing countries. The real story however, is about the challenges he faced while daring to dream big and develop, ORBIS, the worlds first flying ophthalmology hospital. Second Sight, is truly an "odyssey" with real life adversaries, personal loss, deep convictions and found love. It is a worth while and insightful read that is at once humorous, self-effacing and relevant.
2574072
Two decades after the end of the World War II, Ms. Irena Ambrozewicz Taylor set off in steerage for America, like millions of others from eastern and southern Europe, were lured by tales of worldly success.

Blessed with an optimistic outlook and an unwavering confidence in herself and her intuition, Taylor succeeds on her own terms, and now, in American Dream, she establishes the guiding principles you'll need to bring to fruition your own dream in a new country.

An American Dream brings broader understanding of the global notion of "America" and remains timely, especially in an era when massive immigration, now from Latin America and Asia, challenges ideas of national identity.
2478530
Behold the Dreamers is at once haunting, profound, and imminently readable. Mbue skillfully captures both the essence of Cameroonians in the diaspora, and the world of Wall Street during the 2008 recession. Weaving together the stories of 2 couples, profoundly different but bound together in their common humanity, she shows how the American dream ultimately eludes and almost destroys them both.

As founder of a US 501C3 in partnership with my Cameroonian sisters and brothers to build a residential secondary school in Cameroon, I have traveled there numerous times. Mbue captures the essence of the strong sense of family, overflowing love and hospitality that I have been blessed to experience in Cameroon. I have often felt that we Americans have much to learn from them. In our pursuit of material well-being here in the US, we have lost the palpable spirituality and deep joy of many Cameroonians, in spite of the overwhelming hardships many face.

Kudos to Imbolo Mbue for capturing so eloquently  that which often eludes explanation. Highly readable, fast moving, and skillfully crafted, Behold the Dreamers will stay with you long after the last page is read.
The Rev. Canon Elizabeth Geitz
Author, I Am That Child: Changing Hearts and Changing the World, and more
ImaginingTomorrow.org