SONG OF AMERICA

FLAP SYNOPSIS

This is the autobiography of an extraordinary man —a man who discovered in America a spirit and beauty seen by few native sons. George Mardikian’s excitement about this country and the great promise it still offers can bring all of us a new realization of what we have to be thankful for. There is a wonderful spirit running through out this book— an uninhibited genuine love for our country that is as contagious as it is exciting. What this Armenian inmigrant, who now owns the fabulous «Omar Khayyam’s» restaurant in San Francisco, found in America may act as an eye-opener to us, for this book bring home in a refreshing and highly original manner the thrill of the great American adventure.

The boy who grew up amid persecution and death, and who stepped with shining eyes into the streets of San Francisco, sat down at the White House dinner table thirty years later, an honored guest of the President. The years between make a fascinating tale.

George Mardikian, a seasoned guerilla fighter at the age of twenty, escaped from a Turkish prison and was helped to the United States by an American on the Near East Relief Commision. He learned to speak English in the peanut galleries of theaters while making $12 a week washing dishes. His struggling early days were lightened and enriched by his gradual understanding of the unique promise America holds for everyone.

«The inmigrant’s wonderful privilege —the freedom to give the best of his heritage to America» was basic in George Mardikian’s decision to learn to cook and serve to America the best of Armenian and Near Eastern foods. He signed as a steward on a ship going round the world to learn his trade. In the Armenian monastery on the island of San Lazzaro in the Mediterranean sea he studied the age-old secrets of Armenian cuisine as preserved by the Mechitarist Fathers. It was here that he decided to start a restaurant in San Francisco and call it «Omar Khayyam’s». Returning to California, he managed several restaurants and then finally realized his dream of «Omar Khayham’s», where he served such Armenian favorites as shish kebab and rice pilaf.

During World War II his success enabled George Mardikian to repay part of what he calls his debt to America. He singled out servicemen for special treatment, led warbond rallies, and did everything in his power to improve morale on the home front. During the war he was asked to go to Europe by the Quartermaster General of the European Theatre to help make army food more appetizing. For successfully achieving this, the was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Truman. While in Europe he discovered a new objective in life —the cause of more than 3,900 Armenians in displaced-persons camps in Europe. Mr. Mardikian led a drive to finance their rescue and the eventual immigration of many of them to America.

You will respect George Mardikian for his accomplishments; you will admire him for his warm response to everyone he meets, everything he touches. The book is a warm and dynamic as its author. George Mardikian’s «song» of his love for his country will touch the heart of every American.

«My head began to spin. I stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and turned around and looked back down the street. Sound began running through my brain, one by one, then all mixed up together: the humming of the happy street sweeper, the pleasant ‘Good morning’ of the two smiling policemen, the clanging of the motorman’s gong on the crowded streetcar, the running footsteps of the men hurrying to work, the happy voices of the scavengers, the cheerful clip-clop of the milk wagon’s horse, and the quick, gay tune that its driver was whistling.

They all mingled in my ears into the most beautiful music that I had ever heard. All at once, standing there in the bright morning sunlight on the street of that lovely city, I understook. I was hearing the song America sings. I was hearing the Song of America».

Author:	George Mardikian
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number:	56-8179
Publisher:	Mc Graw-Hill Book Company Inc. NY-USA
Binding:	sewn, hardcover
Dimensions:	15 x 22 cm
Number of pages:	312
Lot condition:	10/10 (Good, SH/SSU – Paper cover somewhat faded)
Year of publication:	1959
Catalog number:	M7723081