I believe I say this every time I review biographies or memoirs... I LOVE them. I love to read about the lives of other people. I, for the most part, live a simple and privileged life here in the United States. The more I read and learn about the world around me, the more I am aware of this (oh, the power of books!!). I know that I have taken for granted our democracy at times in my life. The Road from Raqqa, following the lives of two Syrian brothers, the eldest living in the US, the youngest in Syria, continually reminded me of the privilege I was born into here. Yes, this book reminded me to appreciate my country, but it also brought a stark reminder of how much work we have to do here.

This is an excellent immigration story that reads like fiction and will have you going through all the emotions. By the end you'll be at the edge of your seat. A powerful and thought provoking "must read."

Very interesting and informative about the Syrian conflict, the culture of the family, and immigration. An important book that should be widely read. Also I would love to visit their restaurant!

This biography begins with a cup of coffee and it ends with a food truck. This is the story of two Syrian brothers, Riyad and Bashar and their families. The author notes that “telling their story has been among the great honors of my life.”

Reading their story has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. The book peers into the hearts and souls of the two brothers, and it also gives us the big picture of wars and governments. The writing is spellbinding and free from any preconceived agendas.

Both brothers loved their birthplace, Syria, and the grounding that being part of the founding tribe of their region gave them. Riyad is the more adventurous and restless brother and Bashar is quieter and more studious. In 1990, as a young adult, Riyad decides to go to America so that he can learn about democracy and come back and change Syria. What impresses him the most when he arrives in America? His visit to a Target store. That’s how honest and revealing this book is.

Riyad becomes a citizen and establishes a life in America. He sees things he likes, and doesn’t like. He gets to know Guy Fieri, the Oak Ridge Boys and Ricky Scaggs. But his heart is still in Riqqa. And so is his brother Bashar. The brothers haven’t changed, but Riqqa has.

You will be moved as their story plays out. But don’t pity the brothers. Their story will stop you in your tracks and open your heart. Highly recommend. Thanks to NetGallley and Random House Publishing

A moving and emotional tale of two brothers each trying to survive in the Syrian city of their birth as well as where life will take them. The author wove the tale between and through the brothers as they each experienced different situations but at the same time remain connected to each other and Raqqa, the city that has been their core for generations. An exploration of changes and how things remain the same. This is a tale of courage told not as a praise but as a need to keep moving forward and surviving in situations that most would find unbearable.

This book blew me away! I was unable to but it down. Perfect, dazzlingly, very well written. The details the author described throughout the book was so amazing. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers.

Ok, so I received a request to read this book from Goodreads, i think from the publisher. I’m super glad this happened, because I know I never would have read this on my own. That would have been a shame. This book is fantastically written. I felt like I was part of this. In Syria, in Tennessee, in Germany. It had a lot of facts that I didn’t know, or that had happened so long ago that it wasn’t clear. Two brothers, one left Syria for America, one stayed for love of the country. What an incredible family!

The Road From Raqqa
By Jordan Ritter Conn

The book opens with a necessary forward. I appreciate the author taking the time to add that as it sets the tone for what follows.

The story takes little time to develop; Conn’s pace is excellent. He spends the right amount of time on details, i.e. he doesn’t get bogged down in those that are unnecessary, while elucidating those that give proper texture to the environment, thoughts, and background of the protagonists.

We follow the lives of the two eldest brothers Alkasem, Riyad and Bashar. Each goes through their own Syrian emigration journey, one in peace and the other during war. The reader feels the anxiety each experiences as they make their decisions, the joy of rewards gained, and the pain of losses suffered. We get to see and smell and hear and taste and touch, albeit briefly, life as a Syrian at home and abroad through the lives of these two men.

Conn provides a snapshot of Syrian culture, history, and politics as he weaves his tale. Family and tribal life are explained, vignette style. Then he clashes that culture with American culture circa 1990-2018, providing the experience of immigration from an immigrant’s eyes.

This book was the easiest 5-star rating I may have ever given. It has both enlightened and inspired me to be more hospitable to foreigners. So much so that I hope to visit Cafe Rakka in person within the next year. Maybe I’ll see you there.

The opinions shared in this review are my own. I have received no compensation in exchange for offering them.

Stunning memoir of the Syrian war and immigration to the US.

Riyad and Bashar are two brothers from Raqqa, the capital of ISIS. While they share heritage and childhood, and even pursue a similar career in law, their lives take drastically different turns:

Riyad studies law in the US and falls in love with an American woman and the American freedoms.

Bashar studies law in Syria and falls in love with the freedoms that come with compliance under the corrupt Assad government

Riyad can't bear that his family is in danger, so he returns to Raqqa and reunites with Bashar. But are they too different at this point? Is family or ideology more important? How can a family survive the war while divided across continents?

I absolutely loved this memoir - it well written and reads like fiction a lot of the time. I became truly invested in the brothers' lives and found myself constantly thinking about them while I wasn't reading. I usually find memoirs (especially about something as heartbreaking as war) so difficult that I choose not to reach for them, but I'm glad I did this time. Sure, it is not an easy read, but it's also filled with love and hope, so the reader is definitely not left with an utter heartbreak. Finally, it is much more than a memoir of one family - it is a very important history lesson about Syria which highlights issues most of us can't even imagine. I highly recommend this book.

Fantastic book, finished it in one night! The book really helped put a perspective into what’s going on in the world now and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This nonfiction book follows brothers Riyad and Bashar from their childhood in Raqqa, Syria, through their adult lives as they establish careers and begin families. Riyad moves to United States fairly early in life and experiences some of the challenges an immigrant and starting a new life in a new country. Bashar spents some time in the U.S. but ultimately chooses a life back in Syria. The book really drew on my emotions and anxiety when the family was dealing with bombings and uprisings in Raqqa. This book will definitely stick with me for some time.

I couldn’t put it down - I’m literally writing this review at 2AM because I didn’t want to forget what I just finished reading!

Fantastic writing that just pulls you in - I felt like I was sitting around a table talking with Riyad and Bashar, listening to their stories (just wishing I was also drinking coffee and eating that special hummus). The author did a fantastic job of weaving the separate stories of these two brothers together - especially when they were literally a world apart.

While there are some heartwarming examples of good, kind people who helped Riyad along the way, this book also gives provides a small glimpse into the life of a Muslim immigrant to the US, including some frankly horrific treatment at times by both fellow citizens and the government itself. This is yet another example of how far we have to go to get to the promise and ideals of America.

I received this story as an ARC thanks to Netgalley & the publisher.

This is a story of the two brothers Riyad and Bashar who move to different countries far away from their home in Syria, in completely different circumstances. Riyadh moved to the USA after deciding that he could build his future in a better way in the US and wanted to leave Syria. The life he encounters as a Muslim with brown skin in LA is initially difficult to handle, without even knowing English but he does go through all the problems and eventually makes a life out of his culinary talent. On the other hand, his brother is in Syria where the situation is horrible with violence due to war and bombings every day under the new regime. But he is someone who is not ready to leave their home and go to another country and start a new life. He does manage finally as he is left with no choice but to leave to save his family.

It is an excellent account of their life experiences under such difficult settings. Especially the brother’s escape from Syria to become a refugee in Greece is so gripping and equally heartbreaking. After seeing so much on the news about Syria and the war, the story of real life accounts is truly heartbreaking. Language is simple and seems pretty much like a conversation with the two brothers discussing their entire experience. I understood how the 9/11 must have affected them and all the air travel experiences post that as well.

I had read so much about the refugee situation from so many governments around the world but reading about a real life experience where they faced such a situation is absolutely incredible. This is a story of absolute grit and courage and the way each person involved in this book has faced life is very highly commendable. The constant turmoil of all immigrants who feel that they belong to both their past and current home nations and also that they belong to neither at times is very nicely depicted in this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Over the years I have noticed how non-immigrants often seem surprised when one mentions how long it has been since one has seen a father or mother or sibling. How can it be that you have not seen your mother for 1/5/10/15 years?! There are many reasons why: money, time, family obligations, immigration status, conflicts in one’s country of birth, and so on. I haven’t seen my mother in nearly a year, my husband hasn’t seen his in 15. We build our lives away from family, but they are always still there with us, in our words, our traditions, our everyday acts. We may not see our siblings for years but the bond remains forever.

The Road From Raqqa is immigration story, brotherhood, family heritage, and a story of how conflict can rip a family apart, but also bring it together again. In the first part of the story Riyad is traveling back to Raqqa in Syria, nearly 20 years after he first left, to make sure his brother Bashar, and his family, are still safe. Riyad has his own life in the US, a wife, kids, a successful restaurant, and wants to bring the rest of his family back with him.

This starts the story of two brothers who grew up together on the borders of the Euphrates in Raqqa, Syria. Riyad, the rebel, takes the chance to study in the US and makes a life for himself there. Bashar stays in Raqqa, content to build his own life there, until it comes to the point where it is no longer safe for his family to be there, between Daesh patrolling the streets, the government bombs, and then the US-led coalition bombs destroying whatever is left. Their heritage can be drawn back to the beginnings of Raqqa, and I loved reading about the tribal history of the area. I also loved how well written this book is: Jordan Ritter Conn does such a great job relaying the brothers’ stories, delving into fascinating details that provide the reader with a wonderful full picture of not only their lives but also their country, and all of the people around them.

This is a must-read in my opinion: of course the story of two brothers may not tell the story of millions, but it does provide insight into the immigration process in the US (how bad the process has been for a long time, and how it is deteriorating rapidly), as well as life in Raqqa during the ongoing Syrian civil war. In my opinion we need to read individual stories in order to understand the larger picture, but also to make sure that we see people rather than just numbers reported by the press. None of our countries are immune to what happened in Syria. Every year the US accepts fewer and fewer refugees, at a time when more and more people need help. It is up to us to reverse racist, unfair, and downright evil policies that continue to hurt people and tear families apart.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Raqqa became a city that was too small and inconsequential to a city in which the whole world watched as bombs dropped day and night. A city that sat sedated in it's past. Lying on the banks on the Euphrates river clinging to the past of tribal people. To a city where the people "endure enough bombs, run panicked enough times, and eventually the panic becomes exhausting."
Before the world watched the bombs fall and the images of the dead and people who walked around like they were already dead. Jordan Ritter Conn sets in his novel; The Road To Raqqa, to tell the story of one certain family and especially two brothers. Riyad and Basher. In an narrative type style the author sets in place an series of unfortunate events and triumphs.
The scene shifts from when Riyad comes back to Raqqa to when he becomes frustrated with the dictator Hafez Assad after Assad launched an attack on his own people in the city of Hama. Riyad wants to be a judge in Syria but learns that the judges do not have the last word. Assad does. He learns that the evil country, the United States, has the only provision in it's document to where a leader of the country can be removed. He sets off for America and like every single person who watch movies about America from other countries learns that life in America is hard to adjust. Especially if you are foreigner.
He soon settles down and his parents and his brother come over to America. Basher is deported back thanks to 9/11 and the National Security Enter and Exit Regulation. Riyad is targeted because of 9/11. Even though Riyad is now an American citizen. Sees on television, from his home in Tennessee, bombing in Syria and believes it's a Revolution. Instead a group comes through Raqqa shouting we are here to liberate you. Of course no one has ever been liberated with out violence.

A compelling moving epic of a story that puts a face on the tragedy of war and the people who are just trying to survive the horror and the degradation of the heart of man.
In the epilogue the author points out that President Obama didn't send troops into Raqqa. He did send weapons into Syria. How else did the 'cousin' get the American rifle.

This was a dnf for me. I read 25% and although the subject matter was interesting, the writing did not keep me engaged. It seems like a classic case of telling over showing, as I felt the past was being told to me, rather than the writing putting me into the story.
Thank you for the chance to give it a try.

Well written story of real people in Syria experiencing the effects of war. I enjoyed this book very much.

I really loved "The Road from Raqqa" by Jordan Ritter Corn, which is a non-fiction work about two brothers from Raqqa, Syria. Riyad moves to the United States to attend college but ends up opening a restaurant in Tennessee, while except for a short period of time in the US, Bashar stays in Syria until fighting takes over his town. This book really highlights the reasons why people immigrate to the United States (or eventually to Europe in Bashar's case) and how love for one's family really has no borders. Despite their distance, the unity and bond between the two brothers is never broken, and they always do what they can to make sure each other and their families are cared for and safe. Not a major part of the book, and despite the overall positive visit after some stress about it, I will reconsider watching a Guy Fieri show next time it is on television. I hope the Alkasem family is in good health, and I recommend this book to everyone.

The Road from Raqqa by Jordan Ritter Conn is part nonfiction, part biography. It is an excellent book that drew me in from the initial author’s note to the end.

This is the story of two brothers: Riyad and Bashar. One brother chooses to leave his home in Syria when its instability and safety was in question to immigrate to America to find and establish a better life. His younger brother, Bashar, chose to do the opposite and initially stay before eventually finding his own path and home in Germany.

It was fascinating to read their family’s experiences and first-hand accounts of what it feels like to live in a land you love and that you think defines you, but knowing that to be safe, you must take your family elsewhere and leave everything you know behind. I cannot imagine the decisions that they, along with thousands of others, had to make for the betterment of their future. I knew of the atrocities of the civil wars and the brutality and senseless violence, oppression, and murder under Assad’s regime, but putting a name and a face to a victim made it so much more real. It was truly hard to read.

I am in awe of their strength and my heart goes out to those that have been lost and affected (and still are) by these occurrences.

An excellent account and written in a gripping, smooth, and enjoyable way as to keep me enthralled from beginning to end.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine/Random House Publishing for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

The eldest son of a Syrian family, Riyad, travels to the U.S. on his own as a result of the disdain he feels for the government. He becomes a citizen and makes a life for himself and his American-born family as he works in the food industry, finally opening a popular restaurant that serves Middle Eastern food. The book travels back and forth from the U.S. and Syria. It follows Riyad and the family he left behind, but takes a darker turn when war hits Syria and Assad's henchmen take control.

I enjoy reading books that center around the Middle East because of the history, culture and strong family ties. Road from Raqqa is an engaging read that gives readers a taste of life in Syria, as well as, what it's like to be a refugee running away from an evil and lawless government.

Thank you Netgalley, author and publisher.