Here in Dallas there are lots of folks who are expat New Orleanians. They moved here after Katrina and Rita devastated the Crescent City and the Gulf Coast and never moved back. Our city is richer for this, espceially for the friends I have made who arrived here as refugees and stayed to become Dallasites.
Meanwhile in New Orleans, a lot of people returned and began picking up the pieces and rebuilding their city. Some never left. One of those Abdulrahman Zeitoun, a Syrian immigrant and small business owner sent his family away while he looked after his home, business and several rental properties his family owned. His story is fascinating, inspiring and maddening. It made a wonderful book.
Zeitoun, by Dave Eggers, is the true story of the Zeitoun family and the trials and tribulations following the storm. The book gives a good account of what really happened in New Orleans and if you think you knew the story, think again. The sensationalized news accounts of animalistic behavior were for the most part rumor and the real events were far more disturbing in the way authorities handle emergencies and how citizens are treated in the aftermath. This is an important book and worth your time.
Some of the proceeds from it go to the Zeitoun Foundation which is helping rebuild New Orleans, so you can feel good about buying a copy and enjoy the read as well.
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