Call Me American

A Memoir

By: Abdi Nor Iftin

Narrated by: Prentice Onayemi, Abdi Nor Iftin

Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

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 US 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 United States 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.

©2018 Abdi Nor Iftin (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Absolutely remarkable and always as compelling as a novel… An essential immigrant story, one that is enlightening and immediate." (Booklist)

"[A] wrenching yet hopeful autobiography... Iftin’s extraordinary saga is not just a journey of self-advancement but a quest to break free from ethnic and sectarian hatreds." (Publishers Weekly)

"A searing memoir...that impressively remains upbeat, highly inspiring, and always educational." (Kirkus)

"Iftin's account of his journey does not mince words or attempt to soften the worst atrocities he and his family experienced. Loyal and grateful to his mother, he shows particular sensitivity to the injustices suffered by women in Somalia. Told simply and well, Iftin’s story explains the incredible bravery and hope necessary to live in the crosshairs of war and to find a way out." (Jane Constantineau, The New York Journal of Books)

Inspiring - thanks for sharing your story

I am so grateful to Abdi for sharing his story and his experience as a refugee. Moving, heartbreaking and inspiring all at the same time. So happy to see how determined Abdi American is to change things in his home country. Keep going Abdi!

A must read or listen to memoir.

exceptionally well told memoir about an exceptional young man
Hard to imagine a life as difficult as this.

Loved this.

The story is as compelling and I learned a lot about it. The narrator was great too.

A harrowing, but uplifting story

This story brings to the printed page and the ear a truly remarkable, story of strife and ultimately perseverance. The story illustrates how difficult the lives are for many people, how just finding enough to eat is a daily struggle, how a member of the wrong clan be life threatening. With determination and grit dreams can be realized. I’ve gain much appreciation for what drive people to risk everything to come to America. A great story well told. Kudos to the narrator.

A must read

Amazing and heart touching story. This is a must-read for anyone with refugees in their communities. I’ll be buying a copy for each of my kids.

Welcome to America, Abdi Nor Iftin!

Super interesting and eye-opening!

this book was so good I would get home and sit in the garage to listen to the end of the current chapter. You will not be bored nor disappointed

Inspired by his passion and determination

on coming to America and to be free. Free to practice Muslim ways before Jihadist!

An incredible story

It’s hard to imagine Abdi’s life experience, and yet as an immigrant it’s really easy to see yourself in his eyes wide open and seeking, and give everything to find and succeed in your path. What I adore about this book is that Abdi does not shy away from the reality of what it means to be a religious and political dissident, a disfavored tribe, a disfavored refugee, and a person who has a true sense of self regardless. And the confidence it requires to carry your own learning and understanding into this folding world, well it’s a blessing, however you measure it. By my measure, we all have loads of work to do. Because of Abdi, and also because millions of immigrants and children of immigrants see ourselves in Abdi, we have a greater responsibility to fight hard.

Understanding both sides of immigration

I think the book does a great job on providing perspective not only from immigration issues but the need to have stronger vetting and at the same time allow for Refugee immigration. there is a sweet spot and they both can coexist. But allowing extreme reaction on either side is also not helpful. great book great insight. Motivational and shows the benefit of positive thinking.

Captivating

This book was amazing! I felt so many different emotions throughout the entire book. I cried out of sadness and also from joy. One of my favorite reads if all time.