Why Did I Not Die with My Family?

Richard Hardigan is a university professor, journalist, and activist based in California. His writing, which focuses on Israel/Palestine and migration, has appeared in several publications, including Al Jazeera, Truthout, and Mondoweiss. His most recent book, The Other Side of the Wall: An Eyewitness Account of the Occupation in Palestine, was published in 2018.

"A vital insight into the ongoing human cost of Europe's deadly border policies."--Daniel Trilling, author, "Lights in the Distance: Exile and Refuge at the Borders of Europe" "An important contribution to humanising the millions of people seeking sanctuary in Europe. Hardigan skilfully ties the human stories to a clear headed analysis of the conflicts driving asylum seekers across the sea and exposes the political resistance that underpins the shocking welcome that they receive when they arrive."-- "Ben Rawlence, author, "City of Thorns", "The Treeline" and "Think Like a Forest"" "Behind every statistic is a human being. Richard Hardigan gives voice to those too often reduced to numbers, headlines, or political talking points. Through powerful testimony and careful research, this book offers a compelling account of displacement, survival, and the human consequences of Europe's border policies."-- "Tommy Olsen, Founder, Aegean Boat Report" "Drawing on gripping personal narratives of refugees and first-hand reporting from the front lines, Richard Hardigan exposes the heartbreaking tragedies of migration to Europe. An essential guide to understanding one of the defining issues of our time."--Reece Jones, author, "Smuggler: Drugs, Gangs, and Refugees at America's Northern Border" "Informative, lucid, and deeply affecting. I strongly recommend Richard Hardigan's book."-- "Norman Finkelstein" "True to his legacy as a writer dedicated to unveiling truths through lived human experiences, Richard Hardigan once again establishes himself as a master of people's history. Why Did I Not Die with My Family? delivers unadulterated truth grounded in historical context. This volume is far more than a mere recounting of the horrors refugees face in Europe, or a critique of the continent's brutal, selective migration policies; it offers a holistic framework for understanding the root causes of the displacement crisis and the West's undeniable culpability in engineering it. Why Did I Not Die with My Family? is an indispensable document -- not only so that future historians may comprehend what transpired during the pivotal decade following the 2015 influx, but to understand what is unfolding today, and what will inevitably occur tomorrow if this hypocrisy, double-dealing, and moral collapse are not remedied for good."--Dr. Ramzy Baroud, editor, Palestine Chronicle; author, 'Before the Flood' and 'My Father Was a Freedom Fighter'.