Jordan Salama is on a hunt for a certain branch of his family tree - it is diverse in its genes, its jobs, and the stories that had passed down to those in his generation. A fabulous telling, traveling from New York to one South American country to another, looking for his father's grandfather's people. They are a mix of Syrian, Argentine, Jewish and Iraqi, sometimes called Turks (but not today's Turkey), and maybes in the Travelers and Romani camp - all of which comprise a bundle the author fondly refers to as The Lost Salamas. The search for them is his Quest, whole-hearted and enduring.

The author's diligent notes, story-takings, lead him into the company of and meetings with many, many others who, like him, are searching for a legendary grandfather with the same unusual blendings, in the same places, doing the same job (traveling sellsperson) and names that are very similar if not the same. It is eerie how closely compared stories match up in all the right places - and yet this is the first meeting of the storytellers. Those sort of striking realizations carry serious weight in my world. (Shiver down the spine time.)

For anyone who enjoys the family history hunt, or has interests in cross-culture blends based in South America (or anywhere), I am certain this book will have appeal. Am happy to find that this author has a previous book, Every Day the River Changes, and I'm now on the hunt!

*A sincere thank you to Jordan Salama, Brilliance Publishing, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*

This book reminded me of the line in the movie, Fiddler on the Roof, spoken by Tevye, “Maybe that’s why we always wear our hats.” Seems like at one time, Jewish people were always on the move; not a choice of their own making. It is Jordan Salama’s grandfather who inspires Jordan (the author) to begin a long journey across Argentina to discover his Jewish roots. Based mainly on Jordan’s great-grandfather and his exploits, he finds a connection to an Arab-Jewish existence which surely complicates one’s life since being Jewish is cause for expulsion from the Arab community and vice-versa. We learn about “turcos,” salesmen and peddlers, of which his great-grandfather was a part of, travelling across the Argentine countryside. The many stories told by people Jordan came across, and his continual self-discovery throughout his journeys, made this book most interesting and a satisfying read.

Jordan Salama was raised in New York state in a family of Syrian Jewish ancestry. He didn’t pay too much attention to the family story as a youth and was most familiar (by way of his love for soccer) with the immediate family roots in Argentina, where his grandparents grew up before emigrating to the US.

One Thanksgiving while at his grandparent’s house he wandered alone to his grandfather’s office and discovered a binder full of writings. He began to read and soon became engrossed in the family stories his grandfather had put down on paper. In particular he became fascinated with a story that his great-grandfather, a traveling salesman in Argentina, had told, of where the family came from. Intriguing also was the possibility that, while traveling, his salesman great-grandfather may have left behind some other relatives no one in the family had ever met.

He wasn’t sure what to make of the binder - how personal it might be to his grandfather - so never mentioned that he had discovered it. But on subsequent visits he would find a reason to pull away from the rest of the family and further his reading, becoming more and more fascinated with the family stories.

Eventually his grandfather tells Jordan that he knows he’s reading his stories, and they begin to discuss family history, and the “Lost Salamas” - those possible long-ago offspring of his great-grandfather.

What follows, with encouragement from his grandfather, is the start of Jordan’s search for his roots. He searches genealogical websites and puts up one of his own. He writes to cousins and engages in online discussions with other Salamas. He discovers a worldwide family of Jews who left Syria starting with a series of troubles for Jews in the middle of the 19th century.

Then, with the encouragement of his grandfather, Jordan sets out on a quest to South America in search of his “lost” cousins. He begins with known family but then strikes out on his own traveling around Argentina gathering clues.

All of this, including how successful or not he is in finding those lost cousins, is laid out in this audiobook. Salama writes it all in beautiful prose and voices it with a depth of feeling that brings it to life - mixing travelogue and family history to deliver a fascinating narrative that goes far beyond the story of one family.

RATING: Five Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - My favorite book of the year so far. Anyone interested in family history, South American history, or the Arab Jewish diaspora will enjoy this story, as will anyone who likes a well written travel story.

WHERE I GOT MY COPY: I read an advanced review copy provided through NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing, the audiobook’s publisher. The Stranger in the Desert audiobook is available to the public starting next Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

What is it that makes us want to connect with the past, to try and follow in the footsteps of our ancestors? Why are we so intrigued with finding out about the people and places we came from? Genealogy has been an avid past time for generations but what can learning about our great-great-great grandparents tell us about ourselves?

I think Jordan Salama was thinking along those lines when he set out for Argentina, looking to follow in the footsteps of his great grandfather, a traveling salesman, and see if he can find any “lost Salamas”, children begotten along the routes. But Jordan is also embracing the notion of the traveling Jew, as his book explores his family’s journeys from Syria, to South America, and then back to the Arab world, to Argentina, and then finally to America. He explains the uncertainty that has accompanied Jews throughout history, as they have both metaphorically and literally have had their bags packed, ready to flee. This book is an exploration of what it means to be from a place and what home embodies.

This book came out in February but the audiobook comes out today, July 17th. I am sure the physical book is an excellent read but to be honest, this feels like a story that needs to be heard. Not only because it is the oral traditions that are so important to Jordan’s story but since language is such an vital part of the Salamas’ heritage, to hear the magic of the words in those various languages brings even more depth to the book.

Finally, I try not to get political here but I think it is essential to read from different points of views to get a full sense of things, which is why I believe people should read various newspapers, magazines, books, etc, so they are not just reinforcing their own world view. And right now, the current situation in the Middle East is incredibly fraught and though I think some things that the Israeli government is doing is truly horrific, I think that Salama’s book highlights how Jews, much like other peoples, are not just one thing or from one place. And if you want to fully understand the current situation, you need to read stories like this. History is complicated.

The author, Jordan Salama, grew up listening to stories about his mother's side of the family but he knew little about his father's side of the family until he uncovered a detailed history compiled by his grandfather. Jordan became inspired by stories of his great grandfather and hopeful that this ancestor fathered children while working as a traveling salesman. This leads Jordan to Argentina, where his great grandfather lived in the hopes of finding lost relatives. For me, at times the writing felt a bit dry but it is well-written and narrated by the author himself. This memoir/history will be a perfect fit for anyone interested in the deep connections of family, genealogy, Argentinian history, or the Jewish diaspora. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced audiobook in return for my honest opinion.

This was an interesting story for me. My husband’s family’s origins are in Lebanon. His great grandfather took his grandmother’s twin and emigrated to Argentina, while his grandmother emigrated to the US. She never saw her sister again. Little is known of the Argentine family. The food that Jordan talks about is familiar to me as dishes I have learned to cook from my mother in law. It was evident from the author’s own voice his passion for discovering his distant family and their history,

I listened to the audio version of this book which was narrated by the author making it all the more personal and moving. He has a pleasant voice and great delivery and I really enjoyed listening to him read his own book.

Jordan Salama has given us a very personal look at the history of Jews (in particular his family of Arab Jews) in South America.

Mr Salama was inspired to travel to Argentina after discovering that his great grandfather, who moved with his family to South America after the expulsion of Arab Jews from Syria, became a travelling salesman. He plied his trade seemingly from one end of Argentina to the other spending little time at home with hos family. He may have even travelled into Bolivia at various times. Jordan follows his great grandfather's trail on learning there is anecdotal evidence that his great grandfather might have left more than goods with his customers so he goes in search of other Salama offspring.

As he travels he learns more about the way of life and the hardships that all Jews expelled from their lands have suffered. Some family returned once Israel was established but returned to Argentina only a few years later having found little to keep them in the disorganised new country.

Jordan also realises that his grandfather was not the only travelling salesman and as he goes to Bolivia his hope to find more family begins to wane.

The journey itself was of epic proportions since, at the beginning, Salama's Spanish was rudimentary but the journey and his interaction with other families throughout Argentina and Bolivia give him a greater understanding of his own origins.

A truly fascinating travel and family memoir.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for the advance review copy.

Thank you SO MUCH to Jordan Salama and NetGalley for the ARC/Audiobook. Jordan shares his remarkable search for his family's past that takes him to the deserts of south America. Jordan, I understand completely about the piano because the same thing happened to me. I came rushing home from school with a piece of music to try...and it was gone!