By Jessica S. ZdebContributing Writer

Just to prove that not every Harvard graduate goes into consulting, investment banking or graduate school after graduation, take a look at Mawi Asgedom '99. Not only is he ecstatic with his job as an inspirational speaker, but he has just published his autobiography. Of Beetles and Angels: A True Story of the American Dream is touching and uplifting; it is an amazing testament to his strength of character. It tells the story of his flight from Ethiopia's bloody war, his years spent in a Sudanese refugee camp and growing up in Chicago's suburbs. He finally ends up with a full scholarship and degree from Harvard.

Asgedom's simple prose captures the spirit of the American dream as exemplified by him and his family. The book is punctuated with bits of advice from Asgedom's parents that are the governing principles by which he lives, providing a wonderful frame of reference in which to see his actions. And although his story deals primarily with his struggles to over obstacles such as the English language and malicious classmates, Asgedom manages to slip in some entertaining sketches of his young life, such as a Halloween mischief and the theft of a parking meter.

By the end of the book, you see how Asgedom's hard work and vision throughout tough years paid off. He takes you through his high school years of trial and triumph to his arrival at Harvard. Asgedom imagines what his father would have done at Commencement, thinking he would stand up and yell, "This is my son, Selamawi. A long time ago I taught him to work hard and to respect others. Now look where that has taken him." After making the journey with Asgedom, you will find yourself as proud of him as his father would have been.If John Grisham had Gone to Harvard...

Equivocal Death

By Amy Gutman

Little, Brown & Co.

320 pp.; $24.95By Rebecca CantuContributing Writer