LOST LIFE RECOVERED: AN ODYSSEY

About the Book

This is the story of an individual, who overcomes almost insurmountable odds, recovers and succeeds. His father, having four daughters, won the demographic lottery: the son was born. When just under 4 years old, his father was murdered by a man who then becomes his step-father. That’s when the orphaned son’s survival struggles—his odyssey—begin. Traumatized and scared, he suffered regular abuse, as did the family. Abandoned at age 10, survival struggles intensify. Foster-homes enabled him to finish high-school (10th-grade) at age 14. At age 15, he had to go to work and support the step-father. Progressed rapidly, his last job was at the U.S. Embassy. Despite his 10th-grade education, he obtained admission in a U.S. university and came to the U.S. in 1958. At times surviving on one-meal a day, soon he was working part-time—cleaning bathrooms, washing dishes, scrubbing floors, cleaning animal-pens, etc.; he worked summers in fruit-orchards, lumber mill, and as janitor. Graduated with honors, he earned master’s in 1964 and doctorate in 1968. He is now an emeritus-professor/chair, University of Idaho. Inspired by the memory of his father, the land of opportunity enabled him to overcome the odds and recover his lost life; the American dream fulfilled.

About the Author

Dr. S.M. Ghazanfar (“Ghazi”) is Emeritus-Professor/Chair, 1968-2008; Founding-Director, International Studies Program, 1988-93, University of Idaho. Author of several books and almost 200 professional publications, he has a global reputation as a scholar. He has received numerous honors and awards: Hall of Fame (UK-based, Pride of Pakistan), Hall of Honors, Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, Idaho Treasure Award, Distinguished/Outstanding Faculty Awards, Alumni Excellence Awards, Lifetime Achievement Award, Unity Service Medallion, Martin Luther King Award, Legendary Locals of Moscow, Idaho, and numerous listings in national/international Who’s Who’s and other distinctive handbooks. Contributed to several encyclopedic works; serves as referee, editorial boards of professional journals. Contributed to 2003 PBS series on “Islam: Empire of Faith.” Always active in the community, he was instrumental in establishing Interfaith Council and Human Rights Commission, and served on both for several years. He and his wife live in Atlanta, Georgia, and may be contacted at HYPERLINK “mailto:ghazi@uidaho.edu” ghazi@uidaho.edu.