Atta's thrilling and inspiring story uncovers the truth about how his beloved and once-peaceful nation turned into one of the deadliest and most dangerous in the world.

Every refugee's story deserves to be heard, but many memoirs written by exiles represent the country's more privileged classes with money and means. In Lost Decency, Atta Arghandiwal shares the Afghan people's untold story, embodied in his turbulent journey to escape their war-torn country.

Reviews & Endorsements

IBPA Ben Franklin Award Silver Medalist

“A stunning and poignant memoir . . . a treasure. An exemplary job of portraying the struggles of the first Afghan-American generation.”
—Dr. Belal A. Kaifi, Associate Professor of Business Administration, Trident University International

“It also gives us a glimpse, beyond the drum rolls and the waving flags, of an industrious and creative people brought low by warlords and drug mafias—the tragic legacy of empire.”
—Jan Knippers Black, Professor, Monterey Institute of International Studies, and author of The Politics of Human Rights Protection

“This is a worthwhile book that I highly recommend.”
—Dr. Martin C. Needler, former Dean of the School of International Studies, University of the Pacific