American Dreamer - by Tim Tran (Paperback)

About the Book

American Dreamer is an inspirational, first-hand account of the motivating power of an immigrant's dream for a better life. From the rural Vietnam of Tim Tran's childhood to his eventual escape to America and his rise as CFO of a multi-billion-dollar company, Tran's memoir is a lesson in perseverance and ingenuity.

Book Synopsis

American Dreamer is an inspirational, first-hand account of the motivating power of an immigrant's dream for a better life. From the rural Vietnam of Tim Tran's childhood to his eventual escape to America and his rise as CFO of a multi-billion-dollar company, Tran's memoir is a lesson in perseverance and ingenuity. After he initially left Vietnam in 1970 to attend American universities on a USAID scholarship, Tran's sense of commitment led him home shortly before the fall of Saigon in 1975. Suspected of being a CIA agent, he found life under Communism increasingly difficult and dangerous, and was forced to flee. During multiple attempts to escape, he encountered deceit, betrayal, and even murder. Finally, in 1979 Tran and his wife, Cathy, escaped with 350 others in a rickety, overcrowded boat, and faced pirate attacks and months in a Malaysian refugee camp before reaching their new home in Oregon. American Dreamer, written with passion, unflinching candor, and wit, is an extraordinary debut that confirms the American dream is alive and gives hope to anyone willing to work for a better life.

Review Quotes

"[A]an inspiring story of personal triumph. [...] Tran's book--written with Fields-Meyer--delivers an astute synopsis of a chaotic period in Vietnamese history and an intelligent commentary on the perspectives of Americans during that time. A candidly moving and historically thoughtful account". - Kirkus Reviews

"This harrowing autobiography is inseparable from the war that engulfed Vietnam and scorched America's psyche. [...] Written in brief, easily readable chapters, this is a remarkable story of courage, determination and gratitude--one highly recommended for readers seeking an understanding of the risks refugees take to find freedom." - Blue Ink Review (Starred Review)

"[S]hould be required reading for anyone interested in immigrant stories of struggle, survival, and rebirth. [...] Besides being a story of personal perseverance, Tran's is a tale of that adoption process and how America's promises ultimately came true for him, imparting a value system based on hard work, achievement, and grasping opportunity. [...] American Dreamer stands out for its sense of purpose, achievement, and ability to capture the promise and opportunities America represents." - D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review