An American Family by Khizr Khan

This aptly subtitled memoir of hope and sacrifice, AN AMERICAN FAMILY by Khizr Khan, certainly fits with the news headlines of the last week or so regarding respect for American service men and women.

Khizr Khan and his wife, Ghazal, are Gold Star parents, having lost their son, Humayun Khan, in 2004 during the Iraq War. This memoir tells the story of their early days as students in Pakistan, life in Dubai, and eventual move to America – first Houston, then Boston where Khan earned a law degree from Harvard, and then to Virginia where their son had attended college and joined ROTC.  

For me, this elegantly written book should be savored – it is very moving and relates an important immigrant story as well as one of painful sacrifice. The New York Times Book Review said AN AMERICAN FAMILY "can teach all of us what real American patriotism looks like."

You can see and hear Khizr Khan speak about why public service is the root of patriotism at this PBS NewsHour link.