The Best of Two Lives: Al Ahsan Fi Hayat Ithnain

The Best of Two Lives is a love story as well as family history. It is shaped as a journey beginning with the cultural foundations of Jordan and the United States. Weaving threads of family stories Doris introduces us to compelling characters and describes ways of life that might be forgotten if not for projects such as this. Ibrahims early years are detailed as he lived in a mixed Muslim-Christian community in Jordan and Doris tells of growing up as a small-town conservative Christian in Oregon. One of the fundamental messages is that despite superficial differences at the root Arab lives and concerns in the Middle East are relatable just as those of Americans in the United States. Doris never shrinks from showing negative attributes that she couldnt be blamed for wanting to hide and that differentiates her book from a purely family history. Theres something here to help us see our own families more clearly and honestly and to understand them with compassion. Reading The Best of Two Lives reminded me of Albert Camuss insight that the pivotal events in ones life happen by chance. For Doris Rigney the music began one evening in the library of a regional college in Oregon when she looked up from her work desk and saw him. And she knew. He was an Arab from Jordan she a Christian from rural Oregon. Their improbable journey is told here with endearing detail and honesty. --John Mahoney Executive Director Americans for Middle East Understanding Doris Ayyoubs The Best of Two Lives is the story of those seeking opportunity who journeyed to West Coast states during Great Depression and World War II migrations. Hard labor frugal living and inventive can-do attitudes enabled families to survive prosper and succeed. Doriss was such a family. --Rebecca (Becky Shock) Scholl former high school English and French teacher taught English and French in Yakima WA Doris Ayyoub is a retired elementary teacher living in Issaquah Washington. Her two daughters Laila Ayyoub and Tammy Ayyoub live nearby. This is her first book.