"George," as my father is alternately referred to by me in this book, experienced only four years of formal education (if one can call a deprived Syrian parochial school a "formal" education) and thereafter did his best to educate himself.

By the time I reached high school age, George was determined to fulfill his dream of an education through me, his only son.

In 1932 he saw to it that I was enrolled in a private high school and in 1936 underwrote my journey through Princeton University. As a result of my minoring in English, and much reading and writing, upon graduation I was awarded Princeton's Manners Prize for creative writing.

During and after WWII I had little opportunity to exploit my writing skills, if they still existed. When it came time to compose George's autobiography, I decided to give it a try.

The result speaks for itself and I invite you to come in and see. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

The Acrobat by George A. Hamid, Jr.