A Passage to America

About the Book

A Passage to America: Notes of an Adopted Son is an anecdotal autobiography of Prof. Joseph M. Cheruvelil, a naturalized citizen of the United States. Submerged in this long narrative is a social history of three generations from British subjects in India to Baby Boomers and Millennials in America. Prof. Cheruvelil, who taught many years at St. John’s University in New York, is a Catholic in religion, a Hindu in culture, a conservative in politics, and an eclectic in taste. The book abounds with succinct comments on the major issues and potentates of the world from a global perspective. Education is its primary theme, geography and history its guides, and myths and legends its images.

About the Author

Professor Joseph M. Cheruvelil was born and brought up in the Lake District of Kerala, India. Often described as God’s Own Country, the state is well-known for its lush green mountains, spice estates, rice fields, coconut groves, white sandy beaches, and snake-boat races. Educated in Kerala, Illinois, and Mississippi, he served on the faculty of the English department at St. John’s University in New York City for many years until his retirement in 2005. He was awarded the University’s Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors of the Spartan Health Sciences University in St. Lucia. A loyal son of Mother India, now a US citizen, he is a widely traveled and well-read observer of life in several countries. For decades, he has been very active in the Indian community in New York. He is a founding member of several organizations including Kerala Samajam of Greater New York, the Pioneer Club of Keralites, Bharath Boat Club, and the American Sargavedi, a monthly forum for literary discussions. He is involved with various nonprofit organizations and has authored several articles for Indian-themed publications.