In the heart of a crisis that tests the boundaries of compassion and human dignity, "Refuge" by Heba Gowayed paints an intimate and revealing portrait of the Syrian refugee experience. As nations grapple with the largest displacement of people since World War II, the promise of sanctuary and a fresh start in wealthy countries unfolds not as a straightforward path to a brighter future but as a complex labyrinth of missed opportunities and entrenched social inequalities. Through the lens of Syrian families striving to rebuild their lives amidst the ruins of war, Gowayed’s meticulous research over three years in the United States, Canada, and Germany exposes the harsh reality that the asylum lands, often perceived as havens, fall dramatically short of recognizing, let alone harnessing, the full potential of those they shelter. Gowayed's narrative is a critical examination of how policies in these countries, while offering legal refuge, simultaneously perpetuate a cycle of marginalization by failing to acknowledge the rich histories, aspirations, and capabilities of newcomers. The United States, with its unique emphasis on "self-sufficiency," paradoxically integrates refugees into a fabric of American poverty characterized by racial disparities and stagnation. "Refuge" challenges readers to confront the uncomfortable truth that the ability of refugees to thrive is less a reflection of their own capacities and more a mirror reflecting the inequities of a global system designed to limit them. This book is not just a story of displacement but a call to action for a world in dire need of reimagining how it extends a hand to those in search of refuge.