Book Review: ‘The Best Kind of American,’ by Kim Ghattas
Journalist Kim Ghattas investigates the 1984 assassination of Malcolm Kerr, president of the American University of Beirut, in her new book titled The Best Kind of American: A True Story of Murder, War, and America's Undoing in the Middle East. The work explores the personal search for truth by Kerr's family, including his son, NBA coach Steve Kerr, while examining the historical convergence of the Iranian revolution, the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, and regional conflicts that persist today.
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- ✓ Malcolm Kerr was assassinated by a pair of gunmen outside his office on January 18, 1984.
- ✓ Malcolm Kerr served as the president of the American University of Beirut.
- ✓ NBA coach Steve Kerr is the son of Malcolm Kerr.
- ✓ Kim Ghattas authored the book The Best Kind of American: A True Story of Murder, War, and America's Undoing in the Middle East.
What changed
Kim Ghattas released her new book exploring the 1984 murder of Malcolm Kerr and its connection to modern Middle East conflicts.
Live updates
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Kim Ghattas Examines 1984 Murder in The Best Kind of American
Journalist Kim Ghattas investigates the 1984 assassination of Malcolm Kerr, president of the American University of Beirut, in her new book titled The Best Kind of American: A True Story of Murder, War, and America's Undoing in the Middle East. The work explores the personal search for truth by Kerr's family, including his son, NBA coach Steve Kerr, while examining the historical convergence of the Iranian revolution, the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, and regional conflicts that persist today.
Why it matters
Malcolm Kerr was killed by two gunmen outside his office on January 18, 1984, during a period of extreme violence in Beirut that included the U.S. Marines barracks bombing. The murder occurred without an official investigation, leaving the Kerr family to search for answers across four decades. Ghattas connects this family tragedy to broader geopolitical developments involving warlords, peacemakers, Hezbollah, and successive American administrations.
What is confirmed
- Malcolm Kerr was assassinated by a pair of gunmen outside his office on January 18, 1984.
- Malcolm Kerr served as the president of the American University of Beirut.
- NBA coach Steve Kerr is the son of Malcolm Kerr.
- Kim Ghattas authored the book The Best Kind of American: A True Story of Murder, War, and America's Undoing in the Middle East.
What to watch next
- Reader and critic reception to the book's investigation of the 1984 assassination
- Public appearances and interviews by Kim Ghattas regarding regional rivalries and the book's release
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (9)
- www.nytimes.com — The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos
- The New York Times — Book Review: ‘The Best Kind of American,’ by Kim Ghattas
- Yahoo — 'Beirut is where it all begins': Kim Ghattas explains Lebanon connection to middle east conflict
- NPR — Kim Ghattas on her book, 'The Best Kind of American' about the murder of Malcolm Kerr
- bookmarks.reviews — The Best Kind of American: A True Story of Murder, War, and America's Undoing in the Middle East
- newlinesmag.com — How 1980s Lebanon Made Today’s Middle East - New Lines Magazine
- bgsuauthors.com — Falcon Four: Ways to celebrate National book month - BG Authors
- books.google.com — The Best Kind of American: A True Story of Murder, War, and ...
- carnegieendowment.org — The Best Kind of American: A True Story of Murder, War, and ...
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