American Trojan - by C L Max Nikias (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

American Trojan is the captivating story of a refugee who lost everything and then rebuilt it all, an immigrant who defied the odds and achieved the American Dream; a visionary technologist who transformed the University of Southern California into one of the nation's most prestigious private research universities.

At a time when many universities have succumbed to ideology over truth, under Nikias's leadership, USC retained its academic integrity in the face of high-stakes negotiations, high-rolling donors, and the profound challenges of modern leadership.

Hailing from a humble village on the island of Cyprus, Nikias steeped in thousands of years of history as he grew up. But when the Turkish invasion of 1974 destroyed everything his family had built, he came to America to see what the Land of Opportunity had to offer.

Upon completion of his graduate engineering studies, he embarked on an academic career that established him as a pioneer in digital signal analysis, lead him to collaborate on military projects with the U.S. Navy, and eventually led him to USC, which would forever alter the trajectory of his career and life.

Against this dramatic backdrop, American Trojan offers candid insights into how Nikias' bold vision transformed USC into one of America's most elite universities. More than a personal story, it is a blueprint for leadership, offering insights into how Nikias and his team strategized to meet formidable challenges to USC.

An urgent examination of higher education's current crisis, American Trojan provides a roadmap for renewal, offering specific recommendations for how universities can reclaim their true mission of transmitting knowledge and cultivating young minds.

Review Quotes

"American Trojan is a powerful and inspiring story of loss, perseverance, and leadership. As a fellow Cypriot, I was deeply moved by Max Nikias's journey--from the tragedy of losing everything during the invasion of Cyprus to rising as a transformative figure in American higher education. His story is not only a testament to the strength of the immigrant spirit but also a blueprint for bold and principled leadership in challenging times. This book offers not only a personal story of resilience but also important insights into the challenges and possibilities facing universities today."

Kyriacos Papastylianou, President, Federation of Cypriot American Organizations

"A tremendous read! An inspiring account of how a brilliant young engineer from Cyprus came to embody the American dream. Max Nikias's journey from immigrant scholar to president of the University of Southern California is a testament to his extraordinary vision, unshakable character, and exceptional leadership. American Trojan captures his infectious enthusiasm, his transformative impact on higher education, and his enduring devotion to the Trojan Family. A remarkable life, told with clarity, conviction, and heart."

General David Petraeus, US Army (Ret.); former Commander of the Surge in Iraq, US Central Command, and Coalition Forces in Afghanistan; former Director of the CIA; co-author of the New York Times bestseller Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Gaza.

"From humble beginnings in war-ravaged Cyprus, to the leadership helm of USC, American Trojan is Max Nikias' odyssey of resilience, vision, and discovery. A disciple of leadership, Max navigates through the shoals of challenge with courage, intellect, and unshakable optimism. This compelling memoir is more than Max's story--it is a testament to the power of education, the fiery immigrant spirit, and the pursuit of excellence."

Arthur Dimopoulos, Executive Director of the National Hellenic Society

"In this gripping memoir, American Trojan, former USC President Max Nikias charts his remarkable odyssey from a small village in Cyprus to the presidency of the University of Southern California, when the campus rose to be ranked among the nation's top universities. He has lived through the British occupation of Cyprus, the Turkish invasion of the island, the various Greek coups of the 1970s, his own near penniless arrival in America, a meteoric rise as a newly hired engineering professor to the president of the university--all culminating in a fascinating final dissection of the woke hysterias of recent years that have done so much damage to higher education, and to those few who sought so bravely to resist the madness."

Victor Davis Hanson, The Hoover Institution, Stanford University; Author, The Dying Citizen

"Max Nikias is a fantastic leader and a great friend. His story is the embodiment of the American Dream. He came from Cyprus with nothing but a brilliant mind and a strong work ethic, and used both to build a life of purpose, vision, and results. At USC, he didn't just lead, he transformed the place. The rankings, the endowment, the reputation of the entire university skyrocketed under his watch. In American Trojan, Max shows what real leadership looks like. These are lessons anyone can use if they want to be useful and make a difference."

Arnold Schwarzenegger, 38th Governor of California

"The pantheon of Greek epics has a new entry--American Trojan. Max Nikias' journey begins in the unlikeliest of places, a small mountainous village on the island of Cyprus and becomes a hero's journey in short order. In part a story of immigrant success, in part of first-hand account of events and trends that shaped America, this book is an invaluable guide during this tipping point in American history."

Endy Zemenides, Executive Director, Hellenic American Leadership Council

"This memoir is the story of the American dream. Max Nikias arrived here with nothing but smarts and charm from his old world, home country, which was in the midst of a terrible war. Here, he raised a beautiful family, contributed to our national security through his scientific research, and achieved the pinnacle of academic success as president of USC. Max's story is an inspiring read."

Robert C. O'Brien, 27th US National Security Advisor

About the Author

C. L. Max Nikias served as the eleventh president of the University of Southern California, a position he held from August 3, 2010, to August 7, 2018. He is currently the president emeritus and life trustee of the USC and the holder of the Malcolm R. Currie chair in technology and the humanities. He joined USC in 1991, and in addition to his work as a professor, he served as director of a media center, dean of engineering, provost, and president of the university. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Inventors. He is the recipient of the UNICEF Spirit of Compassion Award and the Academic Leadership Award of the Carnegie Corporation of New York. He is recognized internationally for his pioneering research in digital signal processing and digital media. The U.S. Department of War has adopted a number of his innovations and patents in sonar, radar, and communication systems.