A collection of 36 extraordinary stories originally told on stage, featuring work by writers, entertainers, thinkers, and community leaders. Spanning comedy and tragedy, Alien Nation brilliantly illuminates what it's like to be an immigrant in America. America would not be America without its immigrants. This anthology, adapted from storytelling event "This Alien Nation," captures firsthand the past and present of immigration in all its humor, pain, and weirdness. Contributors some well-known, others regular and fascinating people share moments from their lives, reminding us that immigration is not just a word dropped in the news simplified to something you are "for" or "against" , but a world rich with unique voices, perspectives, and experiences. Travel from the Central Park playground where "tattle-tales" among nannies inspire Christine Lewis's activism to an Alexandrian garden half a century ago courtesy of writer Andre Aciman. Visit a refugee camp in Gaza as described by actress and comedian Maysoon Zayid, and follow Intersex activist Tatenda Ngwaru as she flees Zimbabwe with dreams of meeting Oprah. Witness efforts from comedian Aparna Nancherla's mother to make Aparna less shy, and Orange is the New Black's Laura Gomez makes an unlikely connection in a bed-and-breakfast. Compelling and inspirational, Alien.