First American Back is a story about the author’s entrepreneurial pursuits that took him to Beirut, Lebanon. He got caught up in Lebanon’s civil war that led to his abduction and financial disaster. He departed Lebanon when the civil war’s 27th cease-fire failed to hold. Trying to recoup his losses, he returned one year later and was hailed as “The First American Back” by a British journalist. His travels throughout the Middle East reveal the difficulties encountered by westerners doing business in that region along with misconceptions associated with their culture. His thoughts and concerns are as relevant today as when they were first written.