"The True American: Murder and Mercy in Texas" is a non-fiction book written by Anand Giridharadas, published in 2014. The book tells the intertwined stories of two men involved in a tragic incident and how their paths intersect in the aftermath.
Plot Summary:
The book revolves around the true events that took place in Dallas, Texas, in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. In the days following the attacks, a Bangladeshi immigrant named Rais Bhuiyan was working at a gas station when he was shot in the face by a man named Mark Stroman. Stroman, fueled by anger and hate, embarked on a vengeful shooting spree targeting people he believed to be of Middle Eastern descent.
Rais Bhuiyan miraculously survived the attack but was left with life-changing injuries. Despite the traumatic incident, Bhuiyan forgave his assailant and, remarkably, advocated for Stroman's life to be spared during the trial, seeking to prevent him from being sentenced to death.
The book not only delves into the specifics of the shooting and its aftermath but also provides a broader exploration of issues like xenophobia, race relations, and the complexities of the American identity in the post-9/11 era.
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