Fahim Speaks: A Warrior-Actor's Odyssey from Afghanistan to Hollywood and Back

Fahim Fazli is a man of two worlds: Afghanistan, the country of his birth, and America, the nation he adopted and learned to love. He's also a man who escaped oppression, found his dream profession, and then paid it all forward by returning to Afghanistan as an interpreter with the U.S. Marines. When Fahim speaks, the story he tells is harrowing, fascinating, and inspiring. Born and raised in Kabul, Fahim saw his country and family torn apart by revolution and civil war. Dodging Afghan authorities and informers with his father and brother, Fahim made his way across the border to Pakistan and then to America. After reuniting with his mother, sisters, and another brother, he moved to California with dreams of an acting career. After 15 turbulent years that included two unsuccessful arranged marriages to Afghan brides, he finally qualified for membership in the Screen Actors Guild-and found true American love. Though Fahim's California life was happy and rewarding, he kept thinking about the battlefields of Afghanistan. Haunted by a desire to serve his adopted country, he became a combat linguist. While other interpreters opted for safe assignments, Fahim chose one of the most dangerous: working with the Leathernecks in embattled Helmand Province, where his outgoing personality and deep cultural understanding made him a favorite of both Marines and local Afghans-and a pariah to the Taliban, who put a price on his head. Fahim Speaks is an inspiring story of perseverance and patriotism-and of the special love that one man developed for his adopted country. A gold medal winner from the Military Writers Society of America

Author: Fahim Fazli
Publisher: Warriors Publishing Group
Published: 02/15/2012
Pages: 220
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.51lbs
Size: 8.00h x 5.25w x 0.46d
ISBN: 9780989798396

About the Author
Fazli, Fahim: - Fahim Fazli is a man of two worlds: Afghanistan, the country of his birth, and the United States, the nation he adopted and learned to love. Fahim is also a man who escaped oppression, found his dream profession, and then paid it all forward by returning to Afghanistan as an interpreter with the U.S. Marines from 2009-2010. He came to the United States as a refugee in his teens. He enjoyed a privileged childhood until the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. As a young adult he supported the resistance and when he and his remaining family saw the opportunity they fled to Pakistan and then eventually to the United States. He moved to California with dreams of an acting career. Fahim wrote a memoir, Fahim Speaks, that was released in early 2012. "Fahim Speaks" received the 1st place for a biography from the Military Writers Society of America.Moffett, Michael: - MICHAEL MOFFETT is a professor, writer, and reserve Marine Corps infantry officer who served in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. He returned to active duty with the Marines following the 9/11 attacks, working as a Ground Operations Officer for General Tommy Franks at Central Command. LtCol Moffett came back to active duty again in 2010 to travel to Afghanistan to visit Marine Corps combat outposts as a field historian for Marine Corps University. The book "FAHIM SPEAKS" came about after LtCol Moffett met Hollywood actor and USMC interpreter Fahim Fazli in Afghanistan's Helmand Province. A native Granite Stater, Professor Moffett teaches at New Hampshire Technical Institute (NHTI-Concord) and writes a column for the Weirs Times. When not in New Hampshire, he can often be found in southern California, where he undertook doctoral studies at the University of San Diego. He also enjoyed a successful appearance on the television show "JEOPARDY" in Los Angeles, wearing his Marine Corps dress blue uniform. Professor Moffett has two daughters, Katie (24) and Kendra (20).