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| Category: Self Help |
(requires Adobe Reader)
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| About the Book | |
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He has come a long way both literally and figuratively from his days as a poor shepherd boy in Tunisia, North Africa, but Ben Amor is a symbol of what can happen when you don't give up and chase the American Dream until it comes true. The successful career man reinvented himself again after a dream in 1983 of children crying because they were dying of starvation. Unable to forget the sound of children crying, he founded Terra-Genesis Inc., a nonprofit agency that began as a way to try to end world hunger through technology. The book tells how a young man's vision and passion lead him to chase the American Dream in spite of many challenges and people calling him "crazy". Ben has his own experience with overcoming the odds, a journey he intimately describes in The Urban Shepherd. He shares his joys-and his sorrows-from humble beginnings working hard to survive in Tunisia, serving in the Tunisian Air Force, and moving to the United States to live. Through sharing his personal journey adjusting to a new culture, toxic relationships, professional and personal setbacks, and balancing school, work, and family life, Ben aims to empower readers to chase and reach the American Dream. Chasing the American Dream...the Story of a Shepherd Boy The Urban Shepherd is a biographical self-help book that shows how a young poor shepherd boy followed his desire to find the American Dream. Staying perseverant in pursuit of a dream can be challenging, especially when one starts out with meager resources, lack of experience, and a continuous barrage of personal and professional setbacks. The Urban Shepherd takes you on an engaging journey through the souks of Tunisia, North Africa, to the bustle of the San Antonio, Texas, with its Alamo and Riverwalk. While the book reads like a mosaic pieced by countless aspects of life, relationships, and professional growth, its purpose is clear-to empower readers to chase and actualize their dreams and find self-fulfillment. The book shows that what is important is not where you start but where you end up. The author was born in Tunisia as a boy of humble stature, raised on farmland. As a Tunisian Muslim, he decided to join the air force and then moved to the United Sates to pursue the American Dream. The dream did not come easily, but eventually, it did come. The author cites bits of advice from notable authors such as T. Harv Eker, Elizabeth Steger, and Don Miguel Ruiz, author of The Four Agreements. Ben's approach is both instructional and personal as he mentions works that he gained inspiration from.
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| Reviews | |
"This is a wonderful, warm inspiring story that shows you that your dreams can come true." One can achieve greatness through blood, sweat, and tears... but it also requires a vision. That dream is what keeps you going on the sometimes rocky path to success. This is an excellent example of continuous achievement and perseverance towards one's dream. "I really enjoyed reading about your life. Fascinating story. I highly recommend reading Ben Amor's story. His journey is fascinating, inspiring and heartwarming. It focuses on the importance of having dream and the courage and determination to chase it and make it a reality".
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| About the Author | |
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Ben Amor is the founder and executive director of Terra-Genesis Inc. (TGI) and is currently implementing The Mosaic Self-Empowerment Program at the American Dream Center. Also known as Ali Ali, Ben was born in Tunisia, North Africa, to a poor farming family. As a young shepherd, Ben learned English and then worked in the Tunisian Air Force before eventually migrating to the United States in 1968 to chase the American Dream. After becoming a naturalized citizen, Ben earned an associate degree from San Antonio College and started working as a skilled technician and computer programmer. However, Ben’s life drastically changed in 1983 when he had a realistic dream of children crying due to starvation. Unable to shake the crying voices of those children out of his mind, Ben that in 1984, he decided to quit his job and establish a nonprofit agency, Terra-Genesis Inc. He put all his savings into achieving his dream and making TGI a successful venture that aimed to end world hunger through technology. The organization worked to reduce the infant mortality rate and provided wellness centers, social services database access, housing services, solution centers, arts programs, self-empowerment programs, and more. Ben also carried a dream of writing a book, which he achieved when he reported that he chronicled his life story in a book titled, The Urban Shepherd: Chasing the American Dream. This biographical account is meant to help its readers chase their dreams and never give up despite the odds. After all, Ben never gave up on his dream and overcame all the hurdles he faced in achieving his vision to serve the community. Through TGI and his growing career as an author, Ben helps people discover themselves, unlock their true potential, and become financially independent and self-reliant. Through TGI, Ben wishes to help people learn more about self-empowerment and how they can open their minds. The nonprofit agency also works toward preventing abuse, abandonment, and neglect of children and offers other social services to the community. Ben is a determined professional who truly believes that humans are born with a powerful mind they can employ to change their lives around. He strives to help people own their reasons to help them achieve anything they desire. Ben believes in perseverance and a positive mental attitude, as these attributes help people transform from dreamers into achievers. Ben likes to catch up on his reading when he is not working. He also enjoys exercising daily and traveling, as it keeps him connected with different cultures and human nature. Ben has also volunteered at various shelters since 1983, believing he must give back to society. Ben is a family man through and through; he married Assia Ladhari, another Tunisian native, in 1994. He lives with her and their son, Abou Ali, in San Antonio, Texas. He also has a daughter, Dr. Lisa Mona, from his previous marriage in Houston, Texas. |