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Atta Arghandiwal

Goodreads Author

Born

in Kabul, Afghanistan

Website

https://attamoves.com

Twitter

@attamoves

Genre

Memoir, Self Help, Self Help

Influences

Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, Dali Lama

Member Since

September 2011

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/attaullah3

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My journey: From Resilience to Responsibility
My life trajectory has been marked by proud achievements through resilience, self-sufficiency, and the power of taking ownership. As a first-generation Afghan American, I have traveled the long road from a war-torn childhood in Kabul to a 29-year career as a banking executive in the United States. Today, my mission is to use that experience to challenge humanity toward a deeper sense of responsibility and service.

My formative years in Afghanistan were defined by a deep commitment to my homeland, including my service in the Air Force. However, the political devastation of the late 1970s and the subsequent Soviet invasion forced me onto a life-altering path. In August 1980, I left everything behind My journey: From Resilience to Responsibility
My life trajectory has been marked by proud achievements through resilience, self-sufficiency, and the power of taking ownership. As a first-generation Afghan American, I have traveled the long road from a war-torn childhood in Kabul to a 29-year career as a banking executive in the United States. Today, my mission is to use that experience to challenge humanity toward a deeper sense of responsibility and service.

My formative years in Afghanistan were defined by a deep commitment to my homeland, including my service in the Air Force. However, the political devastation of the late 1970s and the subsequent Soviet invasion forced me onto a life-altering path. In August 1980, I left everything behind and spent two years as a refugee in Germany while preparing for a future I could not yet see.
When I immigrated to the United States in December 1981, I didn’t just look for a job; I looked for a way to master the American promise.

I started as a bank teller and climbed the ranks to become a Senior Vice President and Regional Manager. This professional success was never the end goal; it was the foundation for my true calling: uplifting the global immigrant community and advocating for those who are often overlooked.
Driven by pride in my heritage and a passion for human dignity, I committed my story to paper. My memoir, “Lost Decency,” earned the Benjamin Franklin Book Award and has since grown into a series of resources, including Immigrant Success Planning, designed to move newcomers from dependence to autonomy.

I believe that even in the Age of AI, our greatest assets remain our human values: honor, respect, and clear priorities. This conviction led me to evolve my previous work into my latest guidebook, The Self-Sufficient Immigrant in the Age of AI. I don’t just offer advice; I offer a challenge. I am here to mentor, advocate, and provide the pragmatic tools every global citizen needs to thrive.
The question I ask you is this: Are you ready to take full
...more

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Atta Arghandiwal’s books

Average rating: 4.37 · 52 ratings · 18 reviews · 21 distinct works

	Lost Decency, the Untold Afghan Story 4.31 avg rating — 45 ratings — published 2012 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Immigrant Success Planning: A Family Resource Guide 4.75 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 2014 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Lost Decency: The Untold Afghan Story it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	LOST DECENCY: A MAN'S REFLECTION ON THE CHANGING WORLD it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2023	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Self-Sufficient Global Citizen: A Guide for Responsible Families and Communities 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Afghanistan Untold: An Illustrated History 1919-2024 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	THE SELF-SUFFICIENT GLOBAL CITIZEN: A GUIDE FOR RESPONSIBLE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	lOST DECENCY: THE GILDED CAGES AND THE SEARCH FOR HOME 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	LOST DECENCY: THE GILDED CAGES AND THE SEARCH FOR HOME 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Lost Decency 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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11 posts
Atta Arghandiwal's Blog

Beyond Inspiration—Tools for the Holiday Season

Do you remember the long, often-used slogan: "Don't hand them a fish, but show them how to fish"?

It is a maxim we have heard repeated across humanitarian spaces, classrooms, and community centers for generations. But as we navigate an era defined by rapid displacement, shifting borders, and the breakneck acceleration of AI and automation, we have to ask ourselves a deeper question:
How do we preser Read more of this blog post »

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Published on October 16, 2026 14:20 • Tags: artificial-intelligence, holiday-reading, immigrant, resilience, self-sufficiency

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Atta’s Recent Updates

Atta Arghandiwal wrote a new blog post Beyond Inspiration—Tools for the Holiday Season Do you remember the long, often-used slogan: "Don't hand them a fish, but show them how to fish"? It is a maxim we have heard repeated across humanitar Read more of this blog post »
Oct 16, 2026 02:20PM · like
Atta Arghandiwal answered Goodreads's question: How do you get inspired to write? To keep adding value through words, actions and simply reaching out
Sep 22, 2026 03:21PM · like
Atta Arghandiwal liked an answer from Atta Arghandiwal: Where did you get the idea for your most recent book? Forced movement of millions of innocent people from their homelands and the need for self-sufficiency within new environment. Atta Arghandiwal
Sep 22, 2026 03:05PM
Atta Arghandiwal is now following Arghandiwal Atta Author of THE SELF-SUFFICIENT IMMIGRANT: In the Age of AI
Aug 28, 2026 12:02PM · like
Atta Arghandiwal wants to read THE SELF-SUFFICIENT IMMIGRANT: In the Age of AI by Arghandiwal Atta	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 28, 2026 12:02PM · like
Atta Arghandiwal wants to read LOST DECENCY: THE GILDED CAGES AND THE SEARCH FOR HOME by Atta Arghandiwal (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 28, 2026 12:01PM · like
Atta Arghandiwal joined the group Ask Adam Smith about his new book, "The Bravest You". http://bravestyou.com
Aug 05, 2026 09:09AM · like
Atta Arghandiwal wants to read THE SELF-SUFFICIENT IMMIGRANT: IN THE AGE OF AI by Atta Arghandiwal (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 22, 2026 12:22PM · 1 like · like
Atta Arghandiwal wants to read Living In Sync: The Psychology of Technology by Daniella Fraser	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Feb 17, 2026 02:15AM · like

More of Atta's books…

Quotes by Atta Arghandiwal (?)

“Lost Decency (a memoir) covers three phases of Afghanistan's last 50 years (Where it was? What Happened and Where it is headed?)”
― Atta Arghandiwal, Lost Decency, the Untold Afghan Story

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Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Around the World ...: Afghanistan	36	698	Jan 09, 2025 09:14PM

Atta’s Quotes

“In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you.”
― Mortimer J. Adler

tags: books, reading

5878 likes

“Lost Decency (a memoir) covers three phases of Afghanistan's last 50 years (Where it was? What Happened and Where it is headed?)”
― Atta Arghandiwal, Lost Decency, the Untold Afghan Story

1 likes