The Unknown Ambassadors: A Saga of Citizenship [Paperback]

Phyllis Michaux (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 22, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0963926020 | ISBN-13: 978-0963926029

Since World War II hundreds of thousands of Americans have gone to live abroad, not only to fill the traditional ranks of diplomats, soldiers, and businesspeople but also as teachers, students, writers, artists, musicians, engineers, missionaries, scientists, secretaries, even fashion models and professional basketball players. The Unknown Ambassadors traces the history of efforts to establish and improve the rights of Americans living abroad. It deals with a wide range of issues, including the citizenship rights of children of dual-national couples; Social Security and Medicare benefits for Americans residing or traveling overseas; equitable tax treatment; and voting rights. Also covered are broader matters such as educational opportunities for bicultural children, whom the author describes as "the new international generation."

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"One hundred years ago, Frederick Jackson Turner of Harvard University predicted the end of the American frontier. In her thoroughly researched book, Phyllis Michaux breaks new ground by exploring the technical and legal horizons of a vastly different frontier, one inhabited by the millions of Americans living abroad, eager to preserve their rights and identity as citizens of the United States." Pamela Harriman, United States Ambassador to France "This book is a valuable account of Michaux's attack on the bureaucracy, which changed a law and the lives of thousands of children, mine among them, and their anguished American mothers. What she did is in that wonderful American tradition of feisty determination to take on injustice, no matter what the odds." -Polly Platt, Director, Culture Crossings Ltd., and author of French or Foe?

About the Author

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Phyllis Michaux married a French citizen after World War II. After the birth of their first child she became concerned with American citizenship laws as they apply to children born overseas of dual-national couples. She was instrumental in founding the Association of American Wives of Europeans (AAWE) in 1961 and the Association of American Residents Overseas (AARO) in 1973. In March 1996 Michaux was awarded the Eugene Abrams Senior Citizenship Award by American Citizens Abroad.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Aletheia Pubns Inc (May 22, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963926020
• ISBN-13: 978-0963926029
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,437,676 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An unexpected page-turner, April 24, 2008

By 

Dorothy Van Schooneveld (France) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Unknown Ambassadors: A Saga of Citizenship (Paperback)

Phyllis Michaux is a key figure in the organization of overseas citizens as a segment of the American population demanding equal treatment with citizens in the US. Having served in the armed forces in WWII, she was particularly shocked to find herself and her children discriminated against sheerly because she had married someone of another nationality. When she discovers (to paraphrase) that Americans abroad are not merely on a back burner, as far as attention from their government is concerned, but are not even on the stove, this lady digs in and gets to work. Excellently written.