Zeitoun
Tayna Silveira
Period 6
Mrs. Macwillam
Book Review
Zeitoun
1- In the notes about this book, Eggers explains that the book is based on the accounts of Abdulrahman
and Kathy Zeitoun. What does the story gain by reflecting only the Zeitoun family's view of the events?
What might be lost in such an approach?
The story gains by reflecting only the Zeitoun family's view of the events mainly because of the
discrimination that Zeitoun had to go through during the Hurricane Katrinna, by the simple reason that
Zeitoun is a muslim man, they accused him and his two friends, of being part of the AlQaeda. The
American police – military or a higher power – imprisoned them by their religion and did not give them
their right to a phone call or a lawyer. “ Zeitoun was pushed toward the front door. The other officers
had already gathered Ronnie and Nasser onto an enormous fan boat. It was a military craft, far bigger
than any other boat Zeitoun had seen since the storm. There were at least two officers pointing
automatic rifles at them. (Eggers, 207).” I believe that Eggers wanted to highlight the discrimination
that immigrants still going through in this country, besides their beliefs or their skin color.
2-Evaluate Eggers' use of research in his writing. He has done adequate research? Is he a credible and
objective source for the story? Why or why not?
I truly believe that Eggers has done an incredible research. As I was reading the book, I've caught me
wondering how had he found so many informations, pictures, documents about the Zeitoun's family.
Even personal stories and emails he could've brought to the story. He probably put a lot effort on it.
One good example of it is:“From: CapZeton Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 22:12:05 + 0200 To: {name
omitted}@arcno.org Subject: Looking for my brother / Abdulrahman Zeitoun
Period 6
Mrs. Macwillam
Book Review
Zeitoun
1- In the notes about this book, Eggers explains that the book is based on the accounts of Abdulrahman
and Kathy Zeitoun. What does the story gain by reflecting only the Zeitoun family's view of the events?
What might be lost in such an approach?
The story gains by reflecting only the Zeitoun family's view of the events mainly because of the
discrimination that Zeitoun had to go through during the Hurricane Katrinna, by the simple reason that
Zeitoun is a muslim man, they accused him and his two friends, of being part of the AlQaeda. The
American police – military or a higher power – imprisoned them by their religion and did not give them
their right to a phone call or a lawyer. “ Zeitoun was pushed toward the front door. The other officers
had already gathered Ronnie and Nasser onto an enormous fan boat. It was a military craft, far bigger
than any other boat Zeitoun had seen since the storm. There were at least two officers pointing
automatic rifles at them. (Eggers, 207).” I believe that Eggers wanted to highlight the discrimination
that immigrants still going through in this country, besides their beliefs or their skin color.
2-Evaluate Eggers' use of research in his writing. He has done adequate research? Is he a credible and
objective source for the story? Why or why not?
I truly believe that Eggers has done an incredible research. As I was reading the book, I've caught me
wondering how had he found so many informations, pictures, documents about the Zeitoun's family.
Even personal stories and emails he could've brought to the story. He probably put a lot effort on it.
One good example of it is:“From: CapZeton Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 22:12:05 + 0200 To: {name
omitted}@arcno.org Subject: Looking for my brother / Abdulrahman Zeitoun