Review of Odyssey of High Hopes

[Shanna Meaders]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Odyssey of High Hopes" by Cyrus A. Ansary.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Odyssey of High Hopes—A Memoir of Adversity and Triumph is an aptly named book.
As a child in Iran, Cyrus Ansary had big ambitions to make it to America. He encountered plenty of obstacles in his homeland and in America. In this memoir, Ansary takes readers on a journey through his adventurous life and his most powerful, shaping moments as he recounts his fight to make his American dream a reality.

I have given this book a rating of 5 out of 5 because this book is interesting, beautifully written, well-paced, and edited nicely. It also left me surprised, inspired, and uplifted.

Ansary’s story is one worth telling (and reading). He has spent his entire life setting clear goals and pushing toward achievement. His unrelenting drive, strong work ethic, and natural social skills are impressive. The ways in which Ansary has dealt with opportunity and hardships are inspiring.

Ansary’s storytelling is conversational, candid, intelligent, and, at times, witty. His writing style is informative, yet vivid and easy to follow. The book delves into not only Ansary’s personal history and culture, but also into global history and culture. It does so in a way that is both informative and interesting, which kept me captivated instead of leaving me bored. The visuals (descriptions of both places and people) are rich in detail without being exhausting.

The editing is nearly immaculate, providing a distraction-free and easy-flowing read.

I’ve always liked memoirs, but I’m surprised at how much I like this one given the financial and government subject matter. The story is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching at various times and will take readers through a range of emotions. I found many lessons within this memoir—some nuanced, some blatant, and all inspiring and useful. The book sparked some deep thoughts about relationships (business and personal), humanity, diplomacy, and ambition.

In the end, I think this memoir would be a pleasurable read for anyone interested in business, government, history, culture, or inspirational stories.

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Odyssey of High Hopes
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