READERS’ FAVORITE INTERNATIONAL GAVE MEMOIRS OF DR. ANDREW MOONIR KHAN FOUR FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/memoirs-of-dr-andrew-moonir-khan
Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers’ Favorite:
Memoirs of Dr. Andrew Moonir Khan: Journey of an Educator by Mrs. Brenda C. Mohammed is a biography that follows the life of a great man while providing wonderful social and cultural commentaries on the era in which he lived. It is during the days of indentureship in Trinidad and Tobago, and readers are introduced to a period in history when few people were interested in education.
Against this backdrop, the son of uneducated, indentured immigrants from India, Mr. and Mrs. Sultan Khan, overcame all kinds of challenges to acquire the education he needed and to set an example for his generation. Thanks to his assiduity, dedication, and strong values, he was quickly promoted to school principal and subsequently to superintendent of schools. Readers encounter an educator who led by example, a man who would become the first Presiding Elder in the Presbyterian Church in Trinidad and Tobago.
This biography is well researched, and the author allows the subject to speak for himself through the narrative by making references to Dr. Khan’s own memoirs. The writing is beautiful, journalistic, and it is enriched by the social commentaries and historical references that allow readers vivid glimpses of what life was like in the first half of the twentieth century. The setting comes out clearly, and while the reader gets a clear picture of locales and places, the author catches the soul of the people in a brilliant way. Memoirs of Dr. Andrew Moonir Khan: Journey of an Educator is a book that will appeal to anyone who loves biographies of great men. It is inspiring and hugely informative.
Mrs. Brenda C. Mohammed does a great job in bringing to readers a work that will inspire them and compel them to consider their own contribution to history.
Reviewed by Gisela Dixon for Readers’Favorite.
Memoirs of Dr. Andrew Moonir Khan: Journey of an Educator by Mrs. Brenda C. Mohammed is a non-fiction memoir on the life, work, and thoughts of Andrew Moonir Khan. This book is compiled together by Dr. Khan’s daughter, Brenda, but a lot of the book contains writing in Dr. Khan’s own voice and his own hand, taken from his memoirs he had written before he passed away. The book describes his parents' background as indentured Indians who migrated to Trinidad and Tobago around the turn of the last century to work on the sugarcane plantations. Both of his parents had married before and divorced, and so this was the second marriage for both of them. Andrew Khan describes their house, the tropical lushness of the surroundings, his own childhood games and interests, school and education, his first job, his career as an educator and teacher in Trinidad, his period of stay in London on a government scholarship, his involvement in the church and his faith, and his lifelong commitment to the cause of education.
What I liked about Memoirs of Dr. Andrew Moonir Khan the most is that it depicts life in Trinidad about 100 years ago, which is little known to the outside world these days. The history of so many immigrants, including Indians, who immigrated there, is one that needs to be told. I also liked that Mrs. Brenda C. Mohammed has included so many reminiscences, first-hand accounts, and memories of various people who knew Dr. Andrew Khan, all of which portray a vivid picture of the man more than a mere biography can do. Dr. Khan’s ethics, morals, and teachings are an inspiration and, above all, present a humanitarian point of view. I also very much appreciated his ideas on the importance of education and equal rights and opportunities for women everywhere. This is a short and compelling read by Mrs. Brenda C. Mohammed, which I would certainly recommend.
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers’ Favorite
Memoirs of Dr. Andrew Moonir Khan: Journey of an Educator by Brenda C. Mohammed is the journey of a man who, although being the son of indentured immigrants, went on to become successful due to his courage, determination, and indomitable spirit. This memoir reveals the character of Dr. A.M. Khan, who made sure that his family and home were taken care of and sustained by the love of God, hard work, consideration for others, and the love of learning. The sincerity and precision of a gifted person are what this memoir is all about, and Dr. Khan’s passion for learning and education, being a church leader, and his rise despite being from a humble background and experiencing several setbacks, are commendable and encouraging.
Dr. Khan’s life is inspiring, and the author takes readers on an interesting journey through his life. This book has been compiled from his handwritten notes and diaries. The memoir is detailed and takes readers into the life of a great educator and church person who overcame obstacles and emerged as a hero. Dr. Khan’s rise from humble beginnings to that of a national hero is uplifting and will inspire many readers to handle their lives the way he did: with perseverance, determination, courage, and - most importantly - faith in God. This book is a must-read because it will inspire readers to become dedicated and disciplined when it comes to handling their lives.
Dr. Khan’s achievements will make readers wonder how he found the time and energy to accomplish all the things he did in his lifetime.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Memoirs of Dr. Andrew Moonir Khan: Journey of an Educator is a biographical work by Mrs. Brenda C. Mohammed focusing on the life story of a young teacher during the period of indentureship in the Caribbean. Andrew was the son of indentured immigrants from India, living and working in Trinidad and Tobago, and the tale is compiled both from the original memoirs of Dr. Khan and from recreated prose by his daughter, Brenda. The tale spans Dr. Khan’s very successful career in education, during which he was afforded international opportunities for success. It explains how he took the great life lessons that he learned from his working life out into the Presbyterian church as an Elder.
Mrs. Brenda C. Mohammed has done a wonderful job in bringing the life, philosophy, and personality of Dr. Andrew Khan to life in this compilation of teachings.
As an educator myself, I was particularly interested in Dr. Khan’s individualistic approach to students and the humanitarian way in which he achieved success.
Memoirs of Dr. Andrew Moonir Khan presents the life of an inspiring man who struggled through underprivileged circumstances to rise to the top of his field, all without losing his generosity of spirit or his creativity.
For educators, the book demonstrates how passion and planning can lead to great things in the future, but for a wider audience, the book holds value as an inspiring story of faith and commitment to one’s true path.
I would recommend this book for biography fans seeking a deep but feel-good read.
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