American Wings Iranian Roots

Readers Love American Wings Iranian Roots

Loved this book. Kristin is a great story teller and made me feel like I was part of Reza’s family. It is so easy to judge people and groups that you do not know or understand. This book gave you insight into the other side of the story. Ultimately, we all just want to take care of our families and be loved.

Patti★ ★ ★ ★

WRESTLING INTO AMERICA: THE HEROIC STORY OF REZA TOLD BY KRISTIN ORLOFF

Part 1

Part 2

#346 Ryan Recaps A Wild Trip
to Central America

#158 Reza Abedi – Defecting from Iran
in the Midst of the Revolution

Wrestling Changed
My Life Podcast
Ryan Recaps a Wild Trip
to Central America

Wrestling Changed My Life (Wrestling Podcast) · #346 Ryan Recaps a Wild Trip to Central America

Wrestling Changed My Life
Reza Abedi – Defecting from Iran in the Midst of the Revolution

REZA ABEDI’S
GREATEST ESCAPE

“But Abedi’s most precious memento isn’t in his classroom….

It is the gold medal that Abedi won at the 1982 Military World Championships in Venezuela, at which he defeated an American in the 127-pound freestyle-wrestling final. “The day that I stepped on that podium and they gave me the medal, my whole body was full of joy,” he recalls.

But not all his memories of that day are happy ones. The medal is also a reminder of the day he left his country and his family behind….”

Throughout his life, Reza Abedi has had wrestling. It’s been instrumental in so much of how his 48 years of life have played out. It helped him land his first teaching job and it’s been a way to connect with his sons.

Read Article

Once Lost In 1979 Shadows Of Hostages And Flaming Flags, One American Discovers Iran By Way Of A Baseball Field | The Iranian

My journey into all things Iranian began sitting next to Reza Abedi at a Little League game in 2004. Reza and I taught at the same high school and since our sons played together, we found ourselves having a casual conversation on a lovely Spring Saturday. A conversation that would change my life . . .

This article featured in The Iranian highlights the American author’s perspective.

Interlaced with my American point of view, the nonfiction narrative about Reza’s life titled American Wings, Iranian Roots connects our two societies with meaning and purpose—thus creating the perfect platform for authentic conversations regarding the relationship between Iran and America, current Middle Eastern events, and Iranian society.

The outstanding feature of this work is the narrative itself. Readers will be gripped by the intensity of living through the events before, during and after the 1979 Revolution. Reza’s escape created international headlines, but his family’s story shines humanity on the history-altering events.

A gold medal wrestler, Reza’s inspiring life celebrates honor, family and freedom. After he leads bloody battles in the 1979 Iranian Revolution and serves in the Air Force, Reza desires a fate beyond the suffocating suppression of Ayatollah Khomeini’s Iran.

On the last night of the 1982 Military World Wrestling Championships, he grips his gold medal, knowing American wrestlers wait minutes away to help him defect.

He must choose between his own freedom and the possible revenge killing of his thirteen year-old brother locked in Ayatollah Khomeini’s prison.

Beyond the images of the blindfolded American hostages and the bearded cleric Ayatollah Khomeini, there are millions of men, women and children who desire to live with freedom and dignity. This story is their voice.

A gold medal wrestler, Reza’s inspiring life celebrates honor, family and freedom. After he leads bloody battles in the 1979 Iranian Revolution and serves in the Air Force, Reza desires a fate beyond the suffocating suppression of Ayatollah Khomeini’s Iran.

On the last night of the 1982 Military World Wrestling Championships, he grips his gold medal, knowing American wrestlers wait minutes away to help him defect. He must choose between his own freedom and the possible revenge killing of his thirteen year-old brother locked in Ayatollah Khomeini’s prison.

Beyond the images of the blindfolded American hostages and the bearded cleric Ayatollah Khomeini, there are millions of men, women and children who desire to live with freedom and dignity. This story is their voice.