An American Family: A Memoir of Hope and Sacrifice
NAMED ONE OF THE FIVE BEST MEMOIRS OF THE YEAR BY THE WASHINGTON POST
“Moving . . . a story about family and faith, told with a poet’s sensibility . . . Khizr Khan’s book can teach all of us what real American patriotism looks like.” —The New York Times Book Review
In fewer than three hundred words, Khizr Khan electrified viewers around the world when he took the stage at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. And when he offered to lend Donald Trump his own much-read and dog-eared pocket Constitution, his gesture perfectly encapsulated the feelings of millions. But who was that man, standing beside his wife, extolling the promises and virtues of the U.S. Constitution?
In this urgent and timeless immigrant story, we learn that Khizr Khan has been many things. He was the oldest of ten children born to farmers in Pakistan, and a curious and thoughtful boy who listened rapt as his grandfather recited Rumi beneath the moonlight. He was a university student who read the Declaration of Independence and was awestruck by what might be possible in life. He was a hopeful suitor, awkwardly but earnestly trying to win the heart of a woman far out of his league. He was a brilliant and diligent young family man who worked two jobs to save enough money to put himself through Harvard Law School. He was a loving father who, having instilled in his children the ideals that brought him and his wife to America—the sense of shared dignity and mutual responsibility—tragically lost his son, an Army captain killed while protecting his base camp in Iraq. He was and is a patriot, and a fierce advocate for the rights, dignities, and values enshrined in the American system.
An American Family shows us who Khizr Khan and millions of other American immigrants are, and why—especially in these tumultuous times—we must not be afraid to step forward for what we believe in when it matters most.
Praise for An American Family
“ An American Family is a small but lovely immigrant’s journey, full of carefully observed details from the order in which Ghazala served tea at a university event, to the schedule of the police patrols in the Boston Public Garden where Khan briefly slept while he was in between apartments, to the description of Humayun’s headstone as a ‘slab of white marble with soft streaks the color of wood smoke.’” —Alyssa Rosenberg, The Washington Post
Reviews (165)
Every American Should Read It.
As a lawyer and (not particularly successful) author, I was especially interested in Mr. Khan's book. I was not disappointed. His prose radiates. Whether he is describing twilight ("the afternoon wore on until a bright azure above the courtyard changed to dusty cobalt edged with pink and orange") or his first glimpse of the Declaration of Independence ("I was like a lonesome islander who'd found a bottle washed up on a beach, a secret tucked inside that told of a wonderland."), his words linger with you. As soon as I finished reading An American Family, I wanted to start reading it again. It is a love story -- of his love for his parents and grandparents, his wife and children, and for his country, this country. He is the epitome of the American Dream. He studied hard in Pakistan, scrimped and saved to attend Harvard, graduated and started practicing law. When he writes of the loss of his son, Capt. Humayun Khan, who was killed in Iraq, his loss is palpable. Of his white marble headstone in Arlington, he writes "27 years reduced to 11 carved lines." But he also exhibits great pride in his son's service to the USA. He writes that his son was "destined for greatness, a king who would shine among the heavens. He was and I believe he does." He discusses his faith and traditions and culture, but he does not dwell on them. He is a patriotic American citizen and believes we cannot solve our problems by building walls and sowing division. He believes that we are all richer if we learn about and embrace our differences, be it color of skin, culture or traditions or religion. I have only known one Muslim well, a man named Nabil who has returned to his native country, Egypt. (Those who are afraid of immigrants need to get to know people like Nabil and Mr. Khan) He stirred an interest in Islam long ago and introduced me to the hadiths, the 'various reports describing the words, actions, or habits of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.' Are there those in predominantly Muslim countries who wish to harm? -- yes. But they are not the majority. Mr. Khan is a shining example of what many of the hadiths, which are similar to the Christian Beatitudes, teach us -- "None of you has faith until he loves for his brother or his neighbor what he loves for himself." This is much like the Golden Rule ... one we would all be better off trying to live by.
Powerful and uplifting!
This powerful, uplifting memoir is a must-read for every American. Mr. Khan is famous for challenging then-presidential candidate Donald Trump to read and absorb the precepts of the US Constitution. Mr. Khan relates his journey from idealistic young student in politically-troubled Pakistan to patriotic American lawyer, activist and, sadly, Gold Star father. His writing is lyrical, gentle, witty, and deeply moving. His love for his beautiful, accomplished wife, Ghazala, and their three sons shines through every word. In simple, heartrending prose, he tells of their devastating loss of their middle son, Captain Humayun Khan, who died protecting his fellow soldiers and Iraqi citizens from a suicide bomber. From their loss, he and Ghazala have created a beautiful legacy of hope, honor, and deep devotion to this country. Despite the current atmosphere of intolerance towards immigrants and different cultures, they remain hopeful that justice and freedom will prevail.
Every American needs to read this book.
This is one of the most inspiring books I have ever read. As a retired pastor, I believe I can say with no doubt whatsoever that God has blessed us all with the Kahn family. Their story reminds my why I love this country, and that we are a good people, a great people, no matter what the current presidential office-holder may have to say. He is not what this country is all about; the Kahn’s are, and so are we, if we have within us the same spirit that shines through them.
Powerful, moving and inspiring--the story not just of the Khans but of many Americans
What a beautiful and inspiring book. As I read of Khizr Khan's journey from his poor village in Pakistan to his arrival in America with almost no money in his pocket, I thought of my own family's story --my Great grandmother, impoverished, managing to escape from the Irish famine to a new life in America, my Grandmother coming from a life without hope in Italy, my grandfather from a destitute village in Wales. This book is representative of so many of our stories-- of poor, courageous, smart, gritty, determined people searching for hope and new beginnings in America. Mr. Khan--and my own family-- experienced racism, religious prejudice, and hate, yet it was dwarfed by the kindness and openness of many others --those that I think of as true Americans. Mr. and Mrs. Khan paid the ultimate price to be American when their son died in Iraq while saving his soldiers. I am sickened and revolted by Trump's attacks on the Khan family. Mrs. Khan, I want you to know that your silence spoke volumes about your grief. You are beautiful and strong and I thank you and your husband for your courage.
This is a great book for all Americans to read.
Don’t forget that America was built by immigrants and to look down on immigrants would be counter to the faith in America. Yes, even American Indians are immigrants to this land. Cheers to all the immigrants who came before and who will follow. All the children who were born in America are children of immigrants and should be proud. Here’s to America! And what a great book this is. Thank you.
The Most Uplifting Book I've Read in Years (And I read 4-5 books at a time all the time)
This has been the most "soul feeding" book I have read in years. I love it and will read it again. I sent copies to my children. I am so grateful to Khizr Khan and his family for immigrating to this country, for blessing us with their wisdom and integrity, for helping me see my country through new eyes. I have come to love this family and thank God for them, especially as our country goes through this terrible scourge Donald Trump has brought upon us. I would give this book 10 stars if I could.
Great pride, Great shame
This is a wonderful book and an incredible American immigrant story. I will purchase multiple copies for friends and family. I feel such pride to be an American and to have the Khan family as brothers and sisters. The loss of their beloved son - like so many killed in war- is more than any family should have to endure. And while I feel pride in our country and this family I also feel great shame in how they were treated and disrespected by now President Trump. While I cannot reach out directly to the Khans, I sure can reach out directly to local dreamers. Mr. Khan reminds us and by example lights a way...
Inspiring book of the Khan family
This is a very well written, easy to read story of the life of Khizr Kahn. It begins with his humble beginning of his life as a son of a Pakistani farmer who through extreme sacrifice and often reading the U S Constitution, ends up earning a law degree from Harvard. It is a very personal written book, and I couldn’t put it down. Even through the death of his son, Captain Kahn, whose heroics gave his life to save the men under his command. I found the book very powerful in all this family has gone through, even with their son giving the ultimate sacrifice for his country. The family shows how immigrants are so grateful for being in the United States with all its freedoms and ones ability even through extreme sacrifice, to go on and have the chance to succeed with hard work and determination. He also mentions how native born Americans take our freedoms for granted (not in a negative way). I highly recommend this book. Even with all the adversity the Khan family endured, the reader comes away edified with a sensitivity of how precious the Constitution and our freedom are as seen through the lives of a Muslim immigrant family.
A new title for this book should be "A GREAT American Family"
How wonderfully and powerfully Mr. Khan shares his family's life with the reader. I not only enjoyed learning about his and Mrs. Khan's journey to come to the U.S. and the struggles and sacrifices they made to build their lives here, but was mesmerized by their persistence. What a powerful book and an easy read. I will certainly recommend this book to anyone (starting with young teens) who wants to better understand why America is GREAT ALL THE TIME! Congrats to Mr. Khan for doing an outstanding job in writing this memoir!!
A scholarly memoir that celebrates our country
This true, detailed account of a well-educated immigrant from Pakistan embracing our Constitution even while a student in his own country, was especially poignant after hearing his discourse with Trump during the 2016 election. I loved reading about the cultural expectations of his courtship, how he overcame poverty while seeking his law degree. It is rare to read a story that celebrates our unique nation. It is also rare to read a story that celebrates scholarship and the family. The story of his son's bravery and how he lost his life while protecting his soldiers, was tragic. This is an important book to read.
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