After the Last Border

Two Families and the Story of Refuge in America

De: Jessica Goudeau

Narrado por: Soneela Nankani

"Simply brilliant, both in its granular storytelling and its enormous compassion" --The New York Times Book Review

The story of two refugee families and their hope and resilience as they fight to survive and belong in America

The welcoming and acceptance of immigrants and refugees have been central to America's identity for centuries--yet America has periodically turned its back in times of the greatest humanitarian need. After the Last Border is an intimate look at the lives of two women as they struggle for the twenty-first century American dream, having won the "golden ticket" to settle as refugees in Austin, Texas.

Mu Naw, a Christian from Myanmar struggling to put down roots with her family, was accepted after decades in a refugee camp at a time when America was at its most open to displaced families; and Hasna, a Muslim from Syria, agrees to relocate as a last resort for the safety of her family--only to be cruelly separated from her children by a sudden ban on refugees from Muslim countries. Writer and activist Jessica Goudeau tracks the human impacts of America's ever-shifting refugee policy as both women narrowly escape from their home countries and begin the arduous but lifesaving process of resettling in Austin--a city that would show them the best and worst of what America has to offer.

After the Last Border situates a dramatic, character-driven story within a larger history--the evolution of modern refugee resettlement in the United States, beginning with World War II and ending with current closed-door policies--revealing not just how America's changing attitudes toward refugees have influenced policies and laws, but also the profound effect on human lives.

A Must read….for we US citizens haven’t a clue:(

After the Last Border is a must read from High school level onward….
My eyes have been opened to the immigration policies that I knew were broken but how broken has shattered my heart. I feel ashamed about the way we have treated immigrants who are just looking for peace in their lives.
My plan moving forward is to reach out and volunteer at a local immigration center.
Thank you!

fantastic

A beautifully raw, real, journey into these strong women's world and journeys as refugees. It was a privilege to enter into their stories. Highly recommended.

Top ten book… no doubt

Seriously one of the best non-fiction books i’ve ever read and very crazy to think this was this authors first book

Moving

I highly recommend to read or listen to this book. The back and forth between the experiences of Mu Naw and Hasna is well done and written. This book really highlights the importance of how one treats others.

People have lives!

We all need to reloaded that a lot of families don’t come to America because they want to but they come to save their lives.

Great Content. Odd Structure.

Really good content and so interesting to learn about the lives of these resilient women. Important for understanding the plight of refugees and immigrants to the U.S. and how policy can upend their lives. It's a time-tested story, yet it's current and fascinating how each woman attacks her new life. My 4 stars are because while I loved the stories of the women, I didn't enjoy the back and forth between the stories and the policy chapters. As a listener vs. a reader, I would have appreciated the book in three parts. I also finally listened to it at 1.2X. I wanted to know more, sooner and the narration got a bit tedious (for me).

An incredible book that everyone should read

Everyone in this country should read this book. This country was established and built by immigrants including refugees. Being American means we uphold certain values, including helping refugees. People forget that even if they themselves may have been born in this country, many many years ago, many of their ancestors came here as refugees. This administration’s atrocious policy and rhetoric toward refugees betrayed the value of true Americans. More stories like what this book tells should be told. Public should be educated and informed. It was difficult to read this book because of all the tragedies and traumas it describes. I almost gave up reading it because of the pain I could feel for people who suffered in the stories. But I am glad I finally finished it. So grateful for the writer of this book and for the two plus heroines portrayed in this book.

Thankful I Listened

This is worth the listen to. It was well read, and the stories were worth hearing. It brought me to tears more than once and allowed me a glimpse into these two women’s lives and struggles, which hopefully gave me a greater empathy for all refugees.

Very important stories told in an engaging way.

this should be amongst the many books that should be required reading for educating people in the US and world.

Beautiful stories of bravery, love, and perseverance.

Jessica Goudeau uses her brilliant mind and compassionate heart to listen intently to the stories of two families. Their journeys reveal the best qualities humankind has to offer while struggling against the evil forces conjured against them. By entering the lives of these beautiful people, the reader will be able to recognize the rhetoric of hate and xenophobia for what it is and be inspired to seek leadership that values the human dignity among the world’s most vulnerable populations.