Becoming American – A Political Memoir

Becoming American
285 Pages
ISBN 978-1-68433-462-9

"Becoming American," tells the story of my growing up in post-war Europe with parents who were Holocaust survivors, immigrating to the US, serving in the military, having a lengthy career in law and academia, working on campaigns and causes, and overall becoming a politically engaged American. During that time, I had the opportunity to work with/for such prominent political figures as Robert Kennedy, George McGovern, Jerry Brown, and Tom Hayden.

Searching for my great-grandparents’ graves in a hidden cemetery outside Prague makes me recall my experiences of becoming American. Listening to Army Counterintelligence agents gathered at our home in Austria. A tense encounter with Russian soldiers. Seeing Jim Crow racism in the South during my first visit to the United States. Immigrating and becoming an American citizen in my teens. Having my citizenship challenged by US border guards. Fearing for my new country upon witnessing the Watts riots. Serving as an officer in the US Navy. Rising to leadership positions in organizations shaping government policies. And advancing the American dream as a real estate lawyer, helping develop thousands of homes and entire new communities.

Cary Lowe

About Cary Lowe (San Diego, California Author)

Cary Lowe

Cary Lowe is the author of the award-winning book "Becoming American." He has published over fifty essays in major newspapers on political and civic issues, as well as professional reports and articles in professional journals. Born in post-war Austria to parents who were Holocaust survivors, he immigrated to the United States with his family and became an American citizen in his teens.

Mr. Lowe is a retired land use lawyer and consultant with 45 years of experience representing public agencies, developers, Indian tribes, and non-profit organizations, in connection with land use and environmental issues. He holds a law degree and a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, and has been admitted to the American Institute of Certified Planners. He taught courses in law and urban planning at USC, UCLA, and UC San Diego. In addition to his legal experience, Mr. Lowe is a credentialed mediator affiliated with the Land Use & Environmental Mediation Group of the National Conflict Resolution Center.

Mr. Lowe has served in appointed government positions at the state and local levels, and on the boards of non-profit civic and environmental organizations.