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Becoming American: A Political Memoir
2020 Discovery Awards Winner - Politics/Current Events “A well-written memoir chronicling the intriguing life and influences of a post-war Jewish child who becomes an American lawyer and activist.” – Sublime Book Review Becoming American is the inspiring story of the author’s transformation from a child of Holocaust survivors in post-war Europe to an American lawyer, academic, and activist associated with such famed political leaders as Robert Kennedy, George McGovern, Jerry Brown, and Tom Hayden. Searching for his great-grandparents’ graves in a hidden cemetery outside Prague makes him recall his experiences of becoming listening to Army Counterintelligence agents gathered at his home in Austria; a tense encounter with Russian soldiers; seeing Jim Crow racism in the South during his first visit to the United States; becoming an American citizen in his teens; having his citizenship challenged by border guards; fearing for his new country upon witnessing the Watts riots; exhilaration at rising to leadership positions in organizations shaping government policies; and advancing the American dream as a real estate lawyer, helping develop entire new communities.
303 pages, Paperback
Published April 29, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 18, 2026
Becoming American: A Political Memoir by Cary D. Lowe is a thoughtful, historically rich, and deeply personal memoir that explores identity, immigration, political engagement, and the evolving meaning of American citizenship. Through reflections spanning post-war Europe, the civil rights era, political activism, and public service, Lowe crafts an engaging narrative about belonging, resilience, and the lifelong process of defining what it means to become American.
What makes Becoming American especially compelling is the way it connects personal memory with broader historical and political events. As the child of Holocaust survivors growing up in post-war Europe, Lowe’s early experiences carry emotional gravity and historical significance. His recollections of Army Counterintelligence agents, encounters with Soviet soldiers, and the lingering shadows of war create a vivid backdrop for his later journey into American civic and political life.
The memoir becomes even more engaging through Lowe’s firsthand experiences with pivotal moments in modern American history. His observations of Jim Crow racism, the Watts riots, citizenship struggles, and political activism reveal both admiration for American ideals and an honest awareness of the country’s contradictions and challenges. The balance between hope and critical reflection gives the narrative intellectual depth and emotional authenticity.
Particularly impressive is the memoir’s portrayal of public engagement and political idealism. Lowe’s involvement with influential figures such as Robert F. Kennedy, George McGovern, Jerry Brown, and Tom Hayden adds historical richness while illustrating the author’s commitment to civic participation and social change.
At its heart, Becoming American is about resilience, memory, citizenship, and the search for purpose within a democratic society. Reflective, intelligent, and emotionally resonant, the memoir will strongly appeal to readers interested in political history, immigration stories, social activism, and autobiographical narratives shaped by historical transformation.
What makes Becoming American especially compelling is the way it connects personal memory with broader historical and political events. As the child of Holocaust survivors growing up in post-war Europe, Lowe’s early experiences carry emotional gravity and historical significance. His recollections of Army Counterintelligence agents, encounters with Soviet soldiers, and the lingering shadows of war create a vivid backdrop for his later journey into American civic and political life.
The memoir becomes even more engaging through Lowe’s firsthand experiences with pivotal moments in modern American history. His observations of Jim Crow racism, the Watts riots, citizenship struggles, and political activism reveal both admiration for American ideals and an honest awareness of the country’s contradictions and challenges. The balance between hope and critical reflection gives the narrative intellectual depth and emotional authenticity.
Particularly impressive is the memoir’s portrayal of public engagement and political idealism. Lowe’s involvement with influential figures such as Robert F. Kennedy, George McGovern, Jerry Brown, and Tom Hayden adds historical richness while illustrating the author’s commitment to civic participation and social change.
At its heart, Becoming American is about resilience, memory, citizenship, and the search for purpose within a democratic society. Reflective, intelligent, and emotionally resonant, the memoir will strongly appeal to readers interested in political history, immigration stories, social activism, and autobiographical narratives shaped by historical transformation.
April 20, 2020
Overall Rating = 4.08
Storyline & Concept = 4
Writing & Delivery = 3.75
Editorial = 4.5
Becoming American is the memoir of an Austrian-born son of Holocaust survivors. It tells the story of his desire to be an American as he grew up on American military bases in Europe, and it follows his eventual move to the United States, where he became a successful lawyer and political activist.
This is a well-written account that takes the reader from post-war Europe, seen through the eyes of a child, to the United States, as a teenager and adult. The author pursues his education, first through the Navy, then later as a civilian, testing different career paths until he finds his niche as a real estate lawyer, using that platform to give back to his adopted country. Although, there are sections of the manuscript I found overly detailed, the adventures of the author are undeniably interesting, of a level and variety most among us never experience. It was thought-provoking to see the influence his early life as a young Jewish boy in Europe had on his later interactions, beliefs, and career in America.
Sublime Line: “A well-written memoir chronicling the intriguing life and influences of a post-war Jewish child who becomes an American lawyer and activist.”
Storyline & Concept = 4
Writing & Delivery = 3.75
Editorial = 4.5
Becoming American is the memoir of an Austrian-born son of Holocaust survivors. It tells the story of his desire to be an American as he grew up on American military bases in Europe, and it follows his eventual move to the United States, where he became a successful lawyer and political activist.
This is a well-written account that takes the reader from post-war Europe, seen through the eyes of a child, to the United States, as a teenager and adult. The author pursues his education, first through the Navy, then later as a civilian, testing different career paths until he finds his niche as a real estate lawyer, using that platform to give back to his adopted country. Although, there are sections of the manuscript I found overly detailed, the adventures of the author are undeniably interesting, of a level and variety most among us never experience. It was thought-provoking to see the influence his early life as a young Jewish boy in Europe had on his later interactions, beliefs, and career in America.
Sublime Line: “A well-written memoir chronicling the intriguing life and influences of a post-war Jewish child who becomes an American lawyer and activist.”
August 5, 2020
NOTE: I won a free eBook copy of this book in MOBI format from LibraryThing's Early Reviewers (May 2020).
What an enjoyable memoir of the 20th Century! Lowe's life details the journey of an observant child who grows up to become an influential player in the California legal landscape. Historical moments and encounters with figures as diverse as Elvis, Jane Fonda, and Jerry Brown are intercut with depictions of a bygone Europe and reflections on American politics. Yet Lowe tells his story in such a relatable way, showing how his successes and mistakes shaped the course of his life. Perhaps more historical memoirs should read like this one.
What an enjoyable memoir of the 20th Century! Lowe's life details the journey of an observant child who grows up to become an influential player in the California legal landscape. Historical moments and encounters with figures as diverse as Elvis, Jane Fonda, and Jerry Brown are intercut with depictions of a bygone Europe and reflections on American politics. Yet Lowe tells his story in such a relatable way, showing how his successes and mistakes shaped the course of his life. Perhaps more historical memoirs should read like this one.
October 11, 2020
Cary Lowe's story of learning about America and his journey to become an American is more about the internal journey he took to reach the point of feeling he is American than just the places and events that touched him along the way. It is a success story, an example of how much an immigrant is willing to give to an adopted country, often much more than those of us blessed with our Americanness by birth offer. That he ties the story together with events from his journey with is daughter back to the places he knew as a child and to the places of his ancestors is a bonus.
I loved this book.
I loved this book.
June 23, 2020
Fascinating life!
Since also being a baby boomer and agreeing with the author's political bent his memoir filled in a lots of holes in what was going on behind wood-paneled doors. The descriptions of the European cities he lived in or visited gave me a good picture of the areas. His recognition of racism throughout his life was a good reminder to stand up to it and work to improve the lives of others.
Since also being a baby boomer and agreeing with the author's political bent his memoir filled in a lots of holes in what was going on behind wood-paneled doors. The descriptions of the European cities he lived in or visited gave me a good picture of the areas. His recognition of racism throughout his life was a good reminder to stand up to it and work to improve the lives of others.
October 15, 2020
Becoming American is an engaging memoir. From a childhood in post-war Europe, to becoming a successful American lawyer, to seeking out his roots, Lowe's memoir is a story that spans decades and continents. It was fascinating to see how each experience shaped Lowe into who he is today. With no small amount of accomplishments under his belt this book is a chronicle of the inner changes and external influences that Lowe has experienced, the perfect mix for an enjoyable memoir.
June 22, 2020
Great book!!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys biographies, history or books about the Jews and the holocaust
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys biographies, history or books about the Jews and the holocaust
January 30, 2021
Interesting Title
Fascinating look at what is in the mind of a person looking for a better life. What a life Cary had in America. It was totally unexpected.
Fascinating look at what is in the mind of a person looking for a better life. What a life Cary had in America. It was totally unexpected.
June 7, 2020
From a guy too normal for his job to a guy allowed to stick in everything as part of the forniture this book goes from a present story all the way through is life and suceed it.
I wont call it "becoming american" but its a simple way to see things in the general
I wont call it "becoming american" but its a simple way to see things in the general
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews