The Ambitious Struggle: An African Journalist's Journey of Hope and Identity in a Land of Migrants Paperback – October 2, 2013

Reading the book was an eye opener. Yasin's story of growing up in Uganda, attaining a University degree and venturing into the United Arab Emirates for greener pastures is story which truly depicts the challenges and opportunities faced by migrants.I enjoyed reading the book -- could not believe that beyond the skyscrapers and glitzy lights of Dubai, life faced by immigrants requires courage, determination and sheer will to succeed. If you're interested in knowing more about life in the UAE and especially Dubai, I highly recommend the book. Why did the UAE Government expel him and ban the book? His thoughts and reflections about UAE and Dubai in particular will expose you to the other side which the Sheikhs would never ever want you to know.When one door closes, the Almighty will always open another door. Looking forward to his future publications.

I bought the Ambitious Struggle after reading about the Author and the public outcry his book caused in Dubai, in our country's newspaper, the New Vision. Because I love reading and I seek out Ugandan authors, I picked an interest and ordered the book online because it was not available then in Uganda back in 2014. I must say that it was eye opening to me and made me realize that the Arabs/residents segregate a lot, despite always complaining about being singled out in Western countries.Having lived in US for about 13 years myself, I must count myself lucky for not having incurred such hardship, lack of freedom to change jobs, or even witness sufferings of fellow immigrants, in a land where most hope to earn a descent living. It is a must read for all, and I am looking forward to reading his second book, "Slave States" I am particularly pleased because I have finally met the author and I am excited to work with him in Uganda.

I really liked the book since it gave me details of what I knew happened but never had sound evidence. The book was easy to read and all the characters were chosen and presented with much care. Yasin`s documentary style made my reading very pleasant. I recognised a lot as I came from the same background as the author. Just like Yasin I also left my motherland in search for a better life. Yasin reported job seeking as an African in industrialised countries in a realistic way. Unfortunately "people of colour" despite their genuine qualifications have to work hard to get to the level they deserve.

I bought this book because I was curious to know how life is for an African journalist in Dubai. I had an idea of what to expect. Yasin traces his story from Uganda to Dubai. It is an important part of the story because it allows the reader to understand how and why Yasin got to Dubai. I must also say Yasin is a brave man for writing such a book.

In a very concise, yet gripping style full of imagery the author takes you on a journey from Uganda to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and back again to Uganda. Although very factual, it reads as a well-documented biography.I found it most insightful. Although not oblivious about the situation in the UAE, I’ve genuinely learned far more about the situation there than I could ever see from my more privileged perspective. His account laid bare a struggle many deal with when traveling abroad in search of a better life.The blurb focuses on the UAE. I would agree this is the point of focus, but the author speaks at great length about Uganda as well.I struggled a little to get sucked into the story, working my way through 11 chapters regarding his roots, in anticipation of his experiences in the UAE. I didn’t find it particularly helpful that he spoke at great length about his attempts to recite Koran verses in a particular style. I failed to see the significance, even in retrospect and have no affinity with this. There were a few other sidesteps I had difficulty placing.However, as I abandoned the idea of it as an account strictly about the UAE, I started to see the value of the sections on Uganda. Although I do feel the description of war-torn Uganda, with images like piled up skulls by the road, genuinely asks for a book in itself, with quotes like:“Why their human remains are always used as play pieces in a political game to remind the opposition about the risks of challenging the ruling leadership or, more recently, used as an exotic, bizarre attraction to earn some cheap tourist money is perplexing.”Or:“That is when our venerable leader would be reminded that he has blood on his hands and when so many fellow nations would publicly express dismay as to how someone could have absorbed so much blood on his hands continuously without even taking a single shower for decades.”This simply begs for more. The blurb may have gotten me on the wrong foot, the content definitely made up for that.

To be honest, I don’t typically read memoirs but I truly enjoyed The Ambitious Struggle. Yasin Kakande flawlessly flowed between his journalist voice presenting facts about his education and his time living and working in Dubai, to his novelist voice recounting his years growing up in Uganda and his complex family relationships. Enlightening and honest, his and his family’s struggles were almost surreal and I don’t know how they survived, let alone flourish. Yasin describes poignant stories of the struggles and setbacks that so often dominated his road to success. His mother’s strength and determination provided the foundation of support for her family, both immediate and extended, and flourish they did. Occurrences at Yasin’s school and in Dubai often infuriated me, but that objective journalistic voice helped me be less judgmental of a culture and religion about which I knew very little. Thank you for educating me, Yasin!

This deserves a much wider audience. The inside view of this world amazed me. I hope to read more of this author's work.

This book is an eye opener to the life migrants especially those from the developing world, face in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).I learnt so much about Dubai's society and leadership helping me understand the reception foreigners from poor countries receive when they arrive there.Beyond the image of skyscrapers, advancement, ingenuity, that those who have never been to Dubai imagine, there is a dark side.Dubai has and certainly is growing off the sweat of exploited foreign migrants from the developing world.It is a shame that the UAE leadership decided to deport Yasin from the UAE instead of addressing the issues he exposed. By deporting him, they did prove the autocratic leadership style of the UAE that is increasingly being reported about.Except for some grammatical errors, it is a must-end to those intending to relocate to the UAE particularly those from the developing world that will encounter mistreatment.

I couldn't afford to rest my eyes reading yasin's gripping story, one that relates so common to what many go through in africa with the challenges of trying to make a life out of the minimal chances life provides.I think it was so brave of a journalist shading a light on the monopoly in the Dubai society and the exploitation that for long has characterised this society.i would surely recommend this book to anyone thinking of going to Dubai for work

Shows how harsh the process many African's and other migrants have to go through in order to make a living in the Gulf.