Call Me American

A Memoir

By: Abdi Nor Iftin

Narrated by: Prentice Onayemi, Abdi Nor Iftin

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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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.

Critic reviews

"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

"Riveting... [Abdi Nor Iftin] had to endure famine, war, a precarious life as a refugee, and a visa-rejecting bureaucracy before a green-card lottery win, in 2014, enabled him to emigrate. His narrative is both panoramic and particular, full of irreverent asides, and suffused with appreciation for the humanity of others."
—The New Yorker

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

"[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 (Starred Review)

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

Incredible Story!

I couldn't stop listening to this story. It had me holding my breath and then on the verge of tears. The things this man and his family had to endure are incredible.

Best book I’ve ever read

What an eye opening view of an enthusiastic immigrant from Africa to America - a perspective and small look into the Muslim world and the plights of people who face the high chance of dying everyday. What a treasure of perspective. Thank you for writing this and sharing your story.

Engaging memoir of a Somali refugee

I enjoyed this memoir of Abdi Nor Iftin, a Somali refugee, who left no stone unturned to chase his dream of escaping his war-torn country and move to America. I enjoyed hearing about Abdi's parents and their life before drought and war changed their country. This book covers Abdi's childhood and his life as a young adult. To me, his childhood and his life after moving to America were the most fascinating parts. The middle part of the book was Abdi suffering one close call with death after another in his many years of barely surviving. There seemed little arc to this part of the story. It was oppressive and a little repetitive, which kept this below the 5 star review most readers are giving this. That said, I still enjoyed this book quite a bit and learned a lot.

Amazing guy!

I loved this book. This man is so amazing what he overcame. The book is moving, funny, well-written, and informative. I had a Somali Lyft driver lately, so I spoke with him about the book. He was so excited that I asked him which tribe he was from and was familiar with the history in Somalia. It was delightful to be able to speak with him about it. Would love to hear more from Abdi Nor Iftin.

Heartwarming and Melodic

Wow, this book is heart wrenching and wonderful. It outlines perfectly why we need to be compassionate towards refugees and not hateful because of fearful ignorance. Prentice Onayemi is the best narrator I’ve ever listened to and I found this book searching for his voice. I recommend it highly.