"The true story of one family, caught between America’s two biggest policy disasters: the war on terror and the response to Hurricane Katrina.
Abdulrahman and Kathy Zeitoun run a house-painting business in New Orleans. In August of 2005, as Hurricane Katrina approaches, Kathy evacuates with their four young children, leaving Zeitoun to watch over the business. In the days following the storm he travels the city by canoe, feeding abandoned animals and helping elderly neighbors. Then, on September 6th, police officers armed with M-16s arrest Zeitoun in his home. Told with eloquence and compassion, Zeitoun is a riveting account of one family’s unthinkable struggle with forces beyond wind and water." (from Amazon.com)
Wow! This was a very fascinating read. I don't know much about Hurricane Katrina beyond what was in the news. What an amazing story of one family's experience. It's terrifying to think that this happened in the USA in the 1990s. Never mind that Zeitoun is Muslim; what about Todd? Ronnie? Nassar? The many others who had these experiences? Horrifying!
ReplyDeleteThis author interests me. I had never heard of him before, but what a prolific person! I'm very curious to read his book Teachers Have It Easy: The Big Sacrifices and Small Salaries of America's Teachers.
I wanted to read this book because it was on several college campus One Read lists. I agree it was horrifying...to think that a gentle, nice family man would be jailed under such unlawful circumstances and in such extremely cruel conditions. I remember hearing about the mistakes that Homeland Security created (the problems at the Super Dome, the supplies that weren't reaching victims, the red tape of clean-up efforts, the poor animals left behind). Innocent people caught up in the wrongness.
ReplyDeleteIf you've read the book, then you'll be surprised by this article: http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2012/08/zeitoun_of_hurricane_katrina_f.html