A Beginner's Guide to America

A Beginner's Guide to America
Author: Roya Hakakian
Publisher: Knopf
Total Pages: 242
Release: 2021-03-16
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0525656065

A stirring, witty, and poignant glimpse into the bewildering American immigrant experience from someone who has lived it. Hakakian's "love letter to the nation that took her in [is also] a timely reminder of what millions of human beings endure when they uproot their lives to become Americans by choice" (The Boston Globe). Into the maelstrom of unprecedented contemporary debates about immigrants in the United States, this perfectly timed book gives us a portrait of what the new immigrant experience in America is really like. Written as a "guide" for the newly arrived, and providing "practical information and advice," Roya Hakakian, an immigrant herself, reveals what those who settle here love about the country, what they miss about their homes, the cruelty of some Americans, and the unceasing generosity of others. She captures the texture of life in a new place in all its complexity, laying bare both its beauty and its darkness as she discusses race, sex, love, death, consumerism, and what it is like to be from a country that is in America's crosshairs. Her tenderly perceptive and surprisingly humorous account invites us to see ourselves as we appear to others, making it possible for us to rediscover our many American gifts through the perspective of the outsider. In shattering myths and embracing painful contradictions that are unique to this place, A Beginner's Guide to America is Hakakian's candid love letter to America.

Beginner's Guide to American Mah Jongg

Beginner's Guide to American Mah Jongg
Author: Elaine Sandberg
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
Total Pages: 140
Release: 2012-01-17
Genre: Games & Activities
ISBN: 1462904904

Learn the fascinating game of American Mahjong with this expert guide. This affordable best-selling book is one of the only available game strategy guides that is specifically geared toward American Mahjong (Mah Jongg) and follows the official National Mah Jongg League rules. Offering first-time players an easy-to-follow guide to this complex game, A Beginner's Guide to American Mah Jongg includes simple, easy-to-follow instructions and clear diagrams to walk the reader through each step of the game, including how to select a hand, how to play and how to develop winning strategies. A key feature is the color text which clearly shows various hands and tiles. This Mahjong guide includes: Step-by-step instructions for gameplay. Hands-on "Do It" exercises Tips and quizzes for easy learning Mahjong background and history An explanation of tile symbolism Glossary of Mahjong terms A Beginner's Guide to American Mah Jongg is the perfect guide for all skill levels to learn Mahjong--from Mahjong beginners to pros.

American Politics

American Politics
Author: Jon Roper
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 218
Release: 2011-06-01
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1780740050

To understand the world events today, you need to understand American politics. Exploring the principles enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, Jon Roper provides a sharp analysis of how history has shaped the way America governs itself. Examining the recent emergence of the right-wing Tea Party movement, President Obama's administration, American foreign policy, and the role of powerful lobbies, this is the perfect primer for anyone interested in the world's most powerful (and controversial) country.

America for Beginners

America for Beginners
Author: Leah Franqui
Publisher: HarperCollins
Total Pages: 295
Release: 2018-07-26
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0008229155

Sometimes you have to go a long way to find what you’re looking for. And sometimes a little beginner’s luck is all you need...

Oil

Oil
Author: Vaclav Smil
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 207
Release: 2017-11-02
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1786072874

World acclaimed scientist Vaclav Smil reveals everything there is to know about nature's most sought-after resource Oil is the lifeblood of the modern world. Without it, there would be no planes, no plastic, no exotic produce, and a global political landscape few would recognise. Humanity’s dependence upon oil looks set to continue for decades to come, but what is it? Fully updated and packed with fascinating facts to fuel dinner party debate, Professor Vaclav Smil's Oil: A Beginner's Guide explains all matters related to the ‘black stuff’, from its discovery in the earth right through to the controversy that surrounds it today.

Assassins of the Turquoise Palace

Assassins of the Turquoise Palace
Author: Roya Hakakian
Publisher: Open Road + Grove/Atlantic
Total Pages: 213
Release: 2011-09-06
Genre: History
ISBN: 0802195091

A New York Times Notable Book: “A rumination on the Islamic Republic’s culture of terror . . . [A] captivating narrative” (PBS). On the evening of September 17, 1992, eight leading members of the Iranian and Kurdish opposition had gathered at a little-known restaurant in Berlin when two darkly-clad men burst through the entrance. Within moments, the roar of a machine gun filled the air. Two rounds of fire and four single shots later, four of the men were dead. One of the survivors of that shooting, along with the widow of one of the victims and a handful of reporters, attorneys, and fellow exiles, began a crusade that would not only pit them against Tehran but against some of the greatest powers in Germany. When an undeterred federal prosecutor and an endlessly patient chief judge took over the case, a historic verdict followed that shook both Europe and Iran, and achieved something few could have predicted—justice. “This is a brilliant, riveting book, with all the elements of a great thriller—a horrific crime, sociopathic villains, international intrigue, personal betrayals, a noble prosecutor and an honorable judge. And it is all too real: with remarkably comprehensive reporting and brisk, smart writing, Roya Hakakian has told a great story but, more important, she has made plain the lethal immorality at the heart of Iran’s regime” —Joe Klein, Time

A Beginner's Guide to Living in an RV

A Beginner's Guide to Living in an RV
Author: Alyssa Padgett
Publisher:
Total Pages: 205
Release: 2017-11-14
Genre: Recreational vehicle camping
ISBN: 9781973321514

"[W]e've been full-timing for over three years and we've learned the ins and outs of RVing America. In this guide, you'll learn the answers to the most common questions we receive about RV living. Everything from how to choose the right RV to how we get mail on the road, to how to find free camping."--From back cover.

A Beginner's Guide to Japan

A Beginner's Guide to Japan
Author: Pico Iyer
Publisher: Vintage
Total Pages: 240
Release: 2019-09-03
Genre: Travel
ISBN: 0451493966

“Arguably the greatest living travel writer” (Outside magazine), Pico Iyer has called Japan home for more than three decades. But, as he is the first to admit, the country remains an enigma even to its long-term residents. In A Beginner’s Guide to Japan, Iyer draws on his years of experience—his travels, conversations, readings, and reflections—to craft a playful and profound book of surprising, brief, incisive glimpses into Japanese culture. He recounts his adventures and observations as he travels from a meditation hall to a love hotel, from West Point to Kyoto Station, and from dinner with Meryl Streep to an ill-fated call to the Apple service center in a series of provocations guaranteed to pique the interest and curiosity of those who don’t know Japan—and to remind those who do of its myriad fascinations.

The Beginner's Guide to Fasting

The Beginner's Guide to Fasting
Author: Elmer L. Towns
Publisher: ReadHowYouWant.com
Total Pages: 170
Release: 2011-08-16
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1459625579

God created the human body as a finely tuned instrument of enormous power, but it requires fuel to operate. To make sure the body gets enough fuel, God created in us an appetite for food, which we call hunger. So why would we ever ignore our hunger and choose not to eat? Going without food for spiritual reasons is called fasting, a spiritual dis...