The American Translator: A Timely Novel in a Turbulent Globe

Ever wondered what it's like to be caught between two worlds, armed with nothing but your wits, love for the arts, and a dictionary?

Meet David Boccaccio, the guy who thought his love for translation would be his ticket to understanding the world. Instead, it landed him smack in the middle of a war zone with the U.S. Army in Iraq.

In "THE AMERICAN TRANSLATOR: FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO BATTLEFIELDS IN IRAQ," Ahmed Alshuwaikhat throws you into David's chaotic world…

…One minute, you're strolling through San Francisco's Fisherman Wharf and Little Italy. The next, you're dodging bullets by the Euphrates, wondering if Gilgamesh had it this rough.

This isn't your typical war story. It's a mind-bending journey that'll have you:

• Laughing at the absurdity of trying to translate "freedom" to people whose homes you're invading.
• Holding your breath as David unravels mysteries as old as the ancient Mesopotamian clay tablets he's obsessed with.
• Questioning everything you thought you knew about language, culture, and what it means to truly understand someone.