As rising inflation and interest rates impact more and more Americans, the American Dream so many once endeavored to achieve seems less and less a reality. In this book, readers discover the dynamics of capitalism, which impact their personal and professional goals. From the beginning, this book examines the nature of competition and how American businesses incorporate competition into their operating dynamics. However, beneath the critiques of American capitalism lies a more intriguing story—that of the author, Tony Assali, who came to America in the 1970s from Beirut, Lebanon. In this compelling memoir, readers encounter the immigrant story, the value of working hard, and an inspiring tale about what it means to accomplish one’s goals and pursue one’s dreams.

Initially, this account opens with a traumatic and violent scene. The author discovers that his best friend has been killed by militants. From there, the author’s initial experiences with Beirut’s business world unfold. Readers see a young, hard-working man driven by money and dreams of owning an American car. After making an impression on the manager of the Orient Prince Hotel, the author’s life changes, and he embarks on a lucrative pathway that forever changes his life. The author finds inspiration not only in American culture and materialism but also in British celebrities like The Beatles, whom he describes as having “traveled a similar path to fame and fortune.” Beirut’s violence, however, continues impacting the author’s life as an impending war looms.

Assali’s memoir also provides thought-provoking insights into how capitalism and materialism impact those who passionately pursue them. This is most evident in the author’s recollection of dating. The author observes that “When I was young, making money was a way to get girls.” He asserts how “fast cars and fancy clothes” made him more attractive to women. However, he also reveals the endless loop such a lifestyle creates and describes how “chasing the almighty dollar has become an end unto itself.” These ideas open a poignant discussion about the personal, social, and professional reasons people work. This discussion grows inherently philosophical as the book continues, especially as readers see the author’s shifting attitudes and philosophies about the role of work in one’s life.

At its core, this memoir is the story of how one man came to America and made a better life for himself. His story is inspirational and powerful. Nonetheless, at a different level, the book opens an imperative discussion about what individuals sacrifice in order to achieve success and money. In the context of American society and its business world, the narrative asks readers to pause for a moment and think about what they truly desire in life and how they individually measure and define success. And on yet another level, this memoir is about the power of interconnectedness and how one person can possess the power to influence and uplift others. It carries a distinctive, honest voice, which elevates the author’s story. In essence, this is an inspirational and multilayered read, one which will motivate readers to reexamine their values and transform their lives.

RECOMMENDED by the US Review

Return to USR Home