In “To Have Nothing God Bless the Child Who’s Got His Own”, Adel Ben-Harhara’s first book of the three book memoir, I was transported back in time to a place that I am familiar with, Ethiopia. Like Adel, I traveled there in 2010. Yet his journey took me to a time and upbringing so different than what I experienced growing up in USA as a child (10 years older than Adel) during the period, 1962 – 1978, covered in book one of his memoir. True, his experience was often one of having nothing materially and nutritiously, but with what he did have, he ultimately made something with his life and is candid about it in this memoir. This memoir is a must-read for the person who is fascinated by the contrast, tensions, and collision of different religions, races, genders, ages, cultures, classes, national identities, and political ideologies. Adel experiences all of the above during his childhood years in Ethiopia. Join Adel as he relives and analyzes his life in Ethiopia: his relationship with a stern but often inebriated father who he barely remembers, a combo of women/mothers who nurtured him (sometimes only realizing it much later in life as he returned to them in anticipation of writing the memoir) each to their own abilities, and the many relatives and friends who supported him. Experience how each ingredient in his courses of life experiences and relationships, first in Ethiopia during this first book of his memoir, when mixed together turned out to be his recipe for a positive, resilient and successful life.

To Have Nothing is a moving book that took me into a part of the world utterly unknown to myself. What I enjoyed most about it was the fact that Adel not only wrote his own story but supported the insight of the reader with historical and religious facts/knowledge. I found the beginning a little choppy. Stay with it though, as it will start to flow as you read on. While Adel’s childhood was certainly a turbulent one, one that had him thrown from ‘riches to rags’, in the end, it was always family and friends/relations of his father who helped him, who feed and clothed and always, always educated him well. Without them, he would truly have ended up with NOTHING. A story of loss and pain. A story that celebrates resiliency and wanting to have a better life. A book that demonstrates the importance of education and how education will open doors and set you free.

This book is about a man with unbelievable resilience and courage telling is incredible and difficult life story growing up in Ethiopia and North Yemen. Not only was it very moving but I learned so much about these countries unknown to me. I can't wait to read the second book of this trilogy.

As I read about Adel’s struggle for life from such an early age I was awe-struck at his desire to thrive and learn everything! Trials seemed to make him stronger. I can’t wait for books 2-3. I’m also learning about places I’ve never been. I’m happy I’ve met this very kind and knowledgeable man.

I’m so impressed at the writer’s ability to organize the events of his chaotic childhood into a well-organized book. Captivating.
The author could not have picked a better choice for a title than “To Have Nothing.” Adel had no father, no mother, and no family. No “home”. No house. No shoes. No food.
All of my life, I had a good, caring, dependable family. There was only one time that I was hungry. But I’ll never forget what that’s like!
Above all, the book captures Adel’s will to live. One of his greatest attributes has been his thirst for knowledge. Even at an early age! No doubt, those two attributes greatly help to mold the person he is today. Few have been as successful as he.

Adel's recollection of his childhood is raw and heart-stopping. Each facet of his young years is compelling and showcases his well-beyond-his-years worldly wisdom. The details are engaging, necessary, and intimate. His story must be shared; there are lessons that should be universally shared. I can't wait to see where his journey into his later teen years and beyond will take him. His attention to detail is sheer brilliance. Adel is most definitely a sum of his choices--not his circumstances.