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Gratitude in Low Voices
Our bodies started shaking from the cold and shock, yet we were so terrified of being caught that we had to keep our teeth clenched together to keep them from chattering; we could not allow ourselves to make any sound. Whenever we heard a sound or detected motion, we would stare in that direction, even though we could see nothing but dark.
Dawit Gebremichael Habte fled his homeland of Eritrea as a teenager. In the midst of the ongoing Eritrean-Ethiopian war, Dawit and his sisters crossed illegally into Kenya. Without their parents or documents to help their passage, they experienced the abuse and neglect known by so many refugees around the world.
But Dawit refused to give up. He stayed resilient and positive. Journeying to the United States under asylum—and still a boy—Dawit found a new purpose in an unfamiliar land. Against impossible odds, he studied hard and was accepted to Johns Hopkins University, eventually landing a job as a software engineer at Bloomberg. After a few years, with the support of Michael Bloomberg himself, Dawit returned to his homeland to offer business opportunities for other Eritreans. Dawit found a way to help his ancestral land emerge from thirty years of debilitating war.
Gratitude in Low Voices is about how one man was marginalized, but how compassion and love never abandoned him. It’s about learning how to care for family, and how to honor those who help the helpless. The life of a refugee is hard, and the lives of those in war-torn lands are harder still. This account reminds us that hope is not lost.
This humble story of Dawit’s life stands out in a time when we look at immigrants as never before— a book that illuminates our decisions to help or to turn away those who land on our doorstep, and the gratitude that surely follows any act of compassion.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2017
16 people are currently reading
1108 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 26, 2017
I have a big blind spot about Eritrea. As far as I knew, it was a little upstart of a country that declared its independence from Ethiopia in the 90s. I only knew that much because we had missionaries coming through from time to time and I was strictly instructed I couldn't tell anyone that they unofficially also spent time in Eritrea. I had the impression at the time that was because the United States did not acknowledge it as a country, and that may have been true at the time, but I'm sensing it was more because said missionaries needed to be able to travel the borders between nations and already were paying bribes to do so, and didn't need any more walls preventing it.
It turns out, she says with a shameface, that Eritrea has an interesting and unique history of its own nationhood. Luckily Dawit Gebremichael Habte assumes the average English-speaking reader does not have this information, and he gives a brief history of the country-of-his-birth's history, to put his own story into context. At times it is overwhelming with so many place and people names that were completely new to me, but I blame myself and not the author. What could he do?
It is also the personal history of a man who has to flee his home country and ends up working hard and making great strides in the United States. After an education at Johns Hopkins and a job at Bloomberg, he uses his position and funds to give back to his country even in the middle of the turmoil of the 2000s, where Ethiopia once again decided to attack Eritrea.
Habte compares Eritrea to Kuwait at times and it is an apt comparison due to its size and important natural resources (the port being the most significant). But unlike Kuwait, it rarely had the powerful countries on its side. Any liberation had to be undertaken and still has to be undertaken from within. This is not an easy task considering the countries backing Ethiopia.
As of the writing of this book, the border dispute between the two countries was still on (what seems like indefinite) hold. Habte is back working at Bloomberg and checking in with his family and financial projects. In some ways the book felt unfinished because the story is not over, but I guess that is always true.
At least now I can say I've read a book from Eritrea for my endless Around the World reading project!
Thanks to the publisher for providing access to this title through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
It turns out, she says with a shameface, that Eritrea has an interesting and unique history of its own nationhood. Luckily Dawit Gebremichael Habte assumes the average English-speaking reader does not have this information, and he gives a brief history of the country-of-his-birth's history, to put his own story into context. At times it is overwhelming with so many place and people names that were completely new to me, but I blame myself and not the author. What could he do?
It is also the personal history of a man who has to flee his home country and ends up working hard and making great strides in the United States. After an education at Johns Hopkins and a job at Bloomberg, he uses his position and funds to give back to his country even in the middle of the turmoil of the 2000s, where Ethiopia once again decided to attack Eritrea.
Habte compares Eritrea to Kuwait at times and it is an apt comparison due to its size and important natural resources (the port being the most significant). But unlike Kuwait, it rarely had the powerful countries on its side. Any liberation had to be undertaken and still has to be undertaken from within. This is not an easy task considering the countries backing Ethiopia.
As of the writing of this book, the border dispute between the two countries was still on (what seems like indefinite) hold. Habte is back working at Bloomberg and checking in with his family and financial projects. In some ways the book felt unfinished because the story is not over, but I guess that is always true.
At least now I can say I've read a book from Eritrea for my endless Around the World reading project!
Thanks to the publisher for providing access to this title through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2017
Gratitude in Low Voices
When Dawit asked me if I would like to read advance copy of his book, I jumped at the opportunity. I knew some of the bits and pieces of his journey, and was expecting an epic adventure. But Dawit is humble, and I should have known better. Gratitude in Low Voices isn't just the story of Dawit, rather it is the story of the “Angels without wings” that supported, encouraged, and guided him on his path. And not just the good, either. There are also corrupt soldiers shaking down migrants and a duplicitous human trafficker.
Gratitude in Low Voices opens with the origins of Dawit's family, village, and name. And the three are tightly intertwined. Dawit attends school, and his horizons expand beyond his family. His early friendships were instrumental in forming his love of books and learning. When the revolution approaches his village, it sets in motion events that led Dawit all the way to Manhattan, New York, and then back again.
Gratitude in Low Voices is also the story of Eritrea, its history, and its people's struggle for independence. I did not even know that Eritrea was a country before, and could only place its location generally in north-east Africa. I knew of Ethiopia and Eritrea only from the mid-80's famine, the relief effort songs “Do They Know It's Christmas” and “We Are The World.”
Dawit uses the events in his life as a relatable framework that he then ornaments with the struggle for Eritrean independence, and most importantly the people who had such an impact on his life. This style, which I had not encountered before, remarkably intersperses sections of narrative with history and introspection. It gives the historical elements context and provides background for the narrative in cohesive and engaging segments.
Gratitude in Low Voices is an uplifting and encouraging read. We are told to be helpful and compassionate, as we may “entertain angels unaware,” but Dawit gives us concrete examples of just how impactful our every-day encounters can be.
When Dawit asked me if I would like to read advance copy of his book, I jumped at the opportunity. I knew some of the bits and pieces of his journey, and was expecting an epic adventure. But Dawit is humble, and I should have known better. Gratitude in Low Voices isn't just the story of Dawit, rather it is the story of the “Angels without wings” that supported, encouraged, and guided him on his path. And not just the good, either. There are also corrupt soldiers shaking down migrants and a duplicitous human trafficker.
Gratitude in Low Voices opens with the origins of Dawit's family, village, and name. And the three are tightly intertwined. Dawit attends school, and his horizons expand beyond his family. His early friendships were instrumental in forming his love of books and learning. When the revolution approaches his village, it sets in motion events that led Dawit all the way to Manhattan, New York, and then back again.
Gratitude in Low Voices is also the story of Eritrea, its history, and its people's struggle for independence. I did not even know that Eritrea was a country before, and could only place its location generally in north-east Africa. I knew of Ethiopia and Eritrea only from the mid-80's famine, the relief effort songs “Do They Know It's Christmas” and “We Are The World.”
Dawit uses the events in his life as a relatable framework that he then ornaments with the struggle for Eritrean independence, and most importantly the people who had such an impact on his life. This style, which I had not encountered before, remarkably intersperses sections of narrative with history and introspection. It gives the historical elements context and provides background for the narrative in cohesive and engaging segments.
Gratitude in Low Voices is an uplifting and encouraging read. We are told to be helpful and compassionate, as we may “entertain angels unaware,” but Dawit gives us concrete examples of just how impactful our every-day encounters can be.
March 18, 2017
I was lucky enough to get an advance reading copy of this powerful memoir and testament to individual strength and how it truly does take a village - and our village today is a global village. Although parts of Dawit and his families journey point to the cruelty and the very worst of humanity, in the end it is a tale of the power of good over evil. And more than that, how important each and every person is to each other. Hope and a vision, being good and kind, hard work, being prepared, all good lessons, all empowering points well illustrated by facts and the journey Dawit takes the reader along with him.
I especially liked how much care he took to honor each of the key individuals in his journey - from his childhood mentor to his high school counselor, the reader gets a full picture of who that person was, not just the part he/she played in this story.
If luck is the residue of design, Dawit's hard work and personal courage (with a little help from Mike Bloomberg) show us all how a life dedicated to paying it forward can have such a positive impact on the world.
I highly recommend this book - easy read on a flight or over a weekend. Enjoy!
I especially liked how much care he took to honor each of the key individuals in his journey - from his childhood mentor to his high school counselor, the reader gets a full picture of who that person was, not just the part he/she played in this story.
If luck is the residue of design, Dawit's hard work and personal courage (with a little help from Mike Bloomberg) show us all how a life dedicated to paying it forward can have such a positive impact on the world.
I highly recommend this book - easy read on a flight or over a weekend. Enjoy!
January 14, 2017
I loved this book and it has made an impact on my life.
September 25, 2025
"The genesis of modern Eritrea reads like the script of all modern African countries: European missionaries survey a land, seize property, and pass it to their governments, and overnight a group of people already inhabiting the land are declared subjects and obligated to submit."
October 12, 2017
An incredible book...One that all I can say is...READ IT!!
April 4, 2022
Rounded up from 3.5 stars.
A very good book for learning about Eritrean history and culture.
A very good book for learning about Eritrean history and culture.
February 4, 2020
I really wanted to like this book, but it is so overloaded with detail and poorly edited that it just seems to go nowhere. It's the tale of a young man from Ertirea, a small African country overtaken by Italy and then Ethiopia. Boys are drafted into military when they reach 100 lbs, and the families' homes are constantly searched by the police. Dawit and his brother go to the US, but their adjustment to a new country is difficult. I wish there was a resolution to the story but there is not.
November 1, 2017
Habte’s story is one of strength through desperation. When one is truly desperate s/he struggles for the strength to escape and survive the situation.
Habte’s story is one we hear little of in the news. For years Ethiopia has been trying to overtake the small country of Eritrea. Most people have not even heard of the country of Eritrea. In the summer of 1978 Habte, his brother, and two sisters began their escape from their homeland. Their perilous journey took them to Sudan and Uganda and finally to Kenya. There he applied for refugee status. He received a work-permit and permanent residence. After a little over a year they were able to apply for sponsorship to come to the US. Through a lot of hard work and good connections he was able to get a scholarship to John Hopkins University, resulting in a job at Bloomberg as a software engineer. But he never forgot an old time-tested Eritrean saying, “To those who have done you favors, either return the favor or tell others about their good deeds.” With that in mind, Habte eventually returned to his country to offer others business opportunities.
I truly admire the courage and determination Habte had. It made me more aware of the difficulties encountered by refugees. Each day on the journey is dangerous and exhausting physically and mentally. Many leave their homes with nothing. At each stop along the way they have to find a way to procure food and the basic necessities. Many are jailed and/or abused at some point along the journey.
I gave the book four stars for two reasons. First, his story is told in a disassociated manner. He detached himself from his emotions. I feel this prevents the reader from really relating to his situation. But the main reason is that over half of the book goes into detail of the history of the country and the many conflicts there. Only then does the story focus on him and his family.
If you know little of this region of the world and their conflicts, it is well worth reading. There is no doubt that Habte is an exceptional young man who never gave up and never forgot his homeland. The acts of kindness he encountered he then returned to others.
Habte’s story is one we hear little of in the news. For years Ethiopia has been trying to overtake the small country of Eritrea. Most people have not even heard of the country of Eritrea. In the summer of 1978 Habte, his brother, and two sisters began their escape from their homeland. Their perilous journey took them to Sudan and Uganda and finally to Kenya. There he applied for refugee status. He received a work-permit and permanent residence. After a little over a year they were able to apply for sponsorship to come to the US. Through a lot of hard work and good connections he was able to get a scholarship to John Hopkins University, resulting in a job at Bloomberg as a software engineer. But he never forgot an old time-tested Eritrean saying, “To those who have done you favors, either return the favor or tell others about their good deeds.” With that in mind, Habte eventually returned to his country to offer others business opportunities.
I truly admire the courage and determination Habte had. It made me more aware of the difficulties encountered by refugees. Each day on the journey is dangerous and exhausting physically and mentally. Many leave their homes with nothing. At each stop along the way they have to find a way to procure food and the basic necessities. Many are jailed and/or abused at some point along the journey.
I gave the book four stars for two reasons. First, his story is told in a disassociated manner. He detached himself from his emotions. I feel this prevents the reader from really relating to his situation. But the main reason is that over half of the book goes into detail of the history of the country and the many conflicts there. Only then does the story focus on him and his family.
If you know little of this region of the world and their conflicts, it is well worth reading. There is no doubt that Habte is an exceptional young man who never gave up and never forgot his homeland. The acts of kindness he encountered he then returned to others.
July 31, 2022
//3.5//
Well written memoir about hope, education, survival, paying it back, community and hope. Tells the story of a young boy who comes to America to flee the Eritrean civil war, resulting from conflict with Ethiopia, study and achieve a career, help his young sister undergo medical treatment and return to his community to bring an opportunity for the newly independent Eritrean economy back to his country. Whats really fantastic about this memoir is the pivot between the personal and the global, the author manages to shaee both his own experience and that of his country through historical, political and social information. The book felt rushed towards the end, as the first 2/3rds felt very well evoked, sharing his actions, thoughts and the context of his family and hia country and America, while the last third only focuses on what the author did for himself, his sister and his country.
Well written memoir about hope, education, survival, paying it back, community and hope. Tells the story of a young boy who comes to America to flee the Eritrean civil war, resulting from conflict with Ethiopia, study and achieve a career, help his young sister undergo medical treatment and return to his community to bring an opportunity for the newly independent Eritrean economy back to his country. Whats really fantastic about this memoir is the pivot between the personal and the global, the author manages to shaee both his own experience and that of his country through historical, political and social information. The book felt rushed towards the end, as the first 2/3rds felt very well evoked, sharing his actions, thoughts and the context of his family and hia country and America, while the last third only focuses on what the author did for himself, his sister and his country.
July 2, 2017
Mr. Habte has had a very interesting life, and I enjoyed learning more about Eritrea's history from his memoir. (A friend asked what I was reading and when I said a memoir of a man from Eritrea, she said, "Eri-what?" So sharing personal knowledge and experience about this country is very valuable.) However, I found Mr. Habte's memoir to be a little scattered, including too much information here and not enough information there. Generally, I found transitions between sections of the book to be lacking. But I enjoyed learning from Mr. Habte. He certainly has a story and trove of experiences that are worth telling.
September 19, 2017
A very interesting read. I felt the book a bit slow and confusing in the beginning but it was a good read in the end. This was not a book that I began and could not put down. I read only when I had a few minutes to fill in. While the journey of the author is one I have not experienced and I have deep respect for the life he has made with help from others, I found his book rather difficult to read in it's scattered content.
Bless him and his family and the journeys he has had and will have. The World is not always a nice place and he has experienced the worst of it for certain.
I liked the book as it showed strength and perseverance of human spirit.
Bless him and his family and the journeys he has had and will have. The World is not always a nice place and he has experienced the worst of it for certain.
I liked the book as it showed strength and perseverance of human spirit.
July 2, 2017
This book is the life and times of Dawit Habte. Led a life of adventure and danger in Writrea and Ethiopia and eventually the USA. His main goal was education and helping others. Is a book of history as well as one man and those who helped along the way. Is informative. Thanks to Goodreads.
May 11, 2018
This book held my attention from word one to the very end. The suffering that this man endured was beyond belief and yet he persevered and became a wonderful, functioning man. Working hard and getting his education put him where he deserved to be. At times this is difficult to read, but it is worth the time spent. I won this book from Kindle Goodreads giveaway....glad I did!
June 30, 2017
Interesting read!
This book was very well written and very descriptive of a lifestyle and country I've never read about before. It was very enlightening to learn about how someone who went through so many struggles and hardships could become such a strong and successful person.
This book was very well written and very descriptive of a lifestyle and country I've never read about before. It was very enlightening to learn about how someone who went through so many struggles and hardships could become such a strong and successful person.
October 3, 2017
I have great admiration for the author and all his accomplishments. If everyone put in such effort, what a better country this would be. I did find some segments a bit tedious, although I realize the author was trying to make us aware of what has happened/is happening in his country.
December 12, 2025
A decent write-up of an immigrant from Eritrea to the US who was able to succeed and then give back. The mini-bios of a few folks who helped him along the way show how each of us can do our part to help another person succeed.
June 8, 2017
A very impacting novel. A must read.
July 7, 2017
A very thought-provoking book. It is a look at another world, and at the survivors of that world. A humbling experience.
July 15, 2017
A fascinating look at a life a world I knew very little about n.A brave life a book that will stay with you,
July 15, 2017
This book was deeply moving and powerful. I enjoyed every minute!
July 31, 2017
Very fascinating memoir! The author's journey from the African nation of Eritrea to the US and everything in between made for a good read. Highly recommend!
July 9, 2018
can't decide if this book was really a memoir or a historical account of Eritrea
May 12, 2019
Reading World #9: Eritrea
March 5, 2024
Informative and well-worth the read.
January 8, 2026
This was a decent immigration story, but I struggled to find connection to the main character
July 6, 2019
I’m struggling to get into this book. It’s very interesting to hear the other side of the Abyssinian/Eritrean story but that’s probably it for me. The idea of Eritrean identity being that of Italian colonization mixed with Abyssinian history forces people to choose sides instead of it being on the same side. I guess my personal bias is getting the best of me and that’s why I’m really struggling to get into this book but I’ll continue to read it and hopefully it gets better.
It took me a while to finish this book. I honestly didn’t want to finish it. Im glad I did though. I’m personally not thrilled by his personal story but the story behind him and his country. Dawit opened my heart to overstand the Eritrean story. I gave the book a low rating at first because of my bias but I guess even that has been manipulated by my own beliefs. Thanks Dawit for opening my eyes.
It took me a while to finish this book. I honestly didn’t want to finish it. Im glad I did though. I’m personally not thrilled by his personal story but the story behind him and his country. Dawit opened my heart to overstand the Eritrean story. I gave the book a low rating at first because of my bias but I guess even that has been manipulated by my own beliefs. Thanks Dawit for opening my eyes.
July 24, 2025
Interesting book about another pocket of Africa. I'm glad I read this so shortly after reading 'The Shadow King' by Maaza Mengiste because I was already familiar with the Ethiopian wars. It made everything slot together a little more when reading this. And now seeing another side to the wars, this time the Eritrean aspect, was definitely informational.
In the end, this is a tale about resilience and a family of immigrants who made their way to the United States and achieved 'the American Dream'. Inspirational.
In the end, this is a tale about resilience and a family of immigrants who made their way to the United States and achieved 'the American Dream'. Inspirational.
February 13, 2020
A fascinating story of a fascinating man
I have known Dawit for over 10 years. I am always impressed by his humility, down-to-earth approach and his very positive attitude of life. His love for his people, his generosity and willingness to help others is unparalleled.
I was one of the first trainees trained (free of cost) in his company NATNA back in Asmara in 2000. Not only did his training gave me a solid foundation where I could build my career on but also I was one the first three employees (from the trainees) to be hired by the company and later worked in various projects of the company won.
This book is a very interesting read, with lots of details not just on his life but also on the history of Eritrea. The author’s journey is very fascinating and his tenacity, resilience and work ethic is remarkable. One thing you could clearly see from reading this book is how humble the author is. He doesn’t credit himself to most of the successes he enjoyed in life, he is quick to point out the people who helped him get there whom he calls angels without wings.
I truly enjoyed reading the book but I would have liked to see more details which I think are lacking in the book. For example I would have loved to read about his experiences on being a father for the first time, the decision to adopt his kids, what happened (and why) after the company was closed down and decided to move back to the US. Having said that, this is still a very fascinating book that gives a glimpse of the kind of man Dawit truly is.
I have known Dawit for over 10 years. I am always impressed by his humility, down-to-earth approach and his very positive attitude of life. His love for his people, his generosity and willingness to help others is unparalleled.
I was one of the first trainees trained (free of cost) in his company NATNA back in Asmara in 2000. Not only did his training gave me a solid foundation where I could build my career on but also I was one the first three employees (from the trainees) to be hired by the company and later worked in various projects of the company won.
This book is a very interesting read, with lots of details not just on his life but also on the history of Eritrea. The author’s journey is very fascinating and his tenacity, resilience and work ethic is remarkable. One thing you could clearly see from reading this book is how humble the author is. He doesn’t credit himself to most of the successes he enjoyed in life, he is quick to point out the people who helped him get there whom he calls angels without wings.
I truly enjoyed reading the book but I would have liked to see more details which I think are lacking in the book. For example I would have loved to read about his experiences on being a father for the first time, the decision to adopt his kids, what happened (and why) after the company was closed down and decided to move back to the US. Having said that, this is still a very fascinating book that gives a glimpse of the kind of man Dawit truly is.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews