What Readers Are Saying

“An immigrant story, a family story, and ultimately a story about what really matters in life. The Eleventh Kilometer is deeply hopeful and beautifully human. It tells one person's story and somehow helps you understand your own.”

— Rev. Jerry Zehr

“Raw, genuine, and deeply reflective, The Eleventh Kilometer traces how the wisdom and strength we inherit from our parents can shape us in ways we may not recognize until much later. Through family, loss, immigration, and the discipline of running, JR Sandadi shows how hardship can be transformed into purpose. This is not a celebrity story, but an intentional life—one that reminds us to stop sleepwalking and move through our own lives with greater awareness and meaning.”

— Upender

“The Eleventh Kilometer is a gift—an intimate, poetic account of one family's journey from a small village in rural India to the American Midwest. It traces the values of perseverance and integrity passed from grandfather to father to son, and the compassion JR and his wife Madhuri showed in overcoming the loss of their first child is especially poignant. A book that helps us see other cultures not as competing forces, but as jewels that complement one another.”

— Charlie Wiles

“An amazing story that readers will find highly relatable—the story of a son, a husband, an engineer, an immigrant, a father, a volunteer. The book makes an instant connection within the first few chapters, and the pace is incredible. It's difficult to put down before reaching the end.”

— Nikhil A.

“This book is an incredible reading experience—an immigrant's journey told with unusual candidness about struggles and wins. I read it non-stop for five hours and couldn't put it down. You can feel the heart the author poured into being candid about the highs and lows of the human experience. A story of culture, courage, and quiet everyday resilience.”

— Darshan Soni

“A beautiful story about finding the extraordinary in the seemingly ordinary. What stuck with me most is how honest this book is—JR never tries to be the hero of his own story. He's upfront about his own flaws, and he just keeps showing up for people, even when it would be easier to walk away. There's a real thread of resilience here, pushing past what feels possible and finding steadiness on the other side. Simple, honest, and it stays with you long after you close it.”

— Dr. Aparna

“An excellent read I couldn't put down. In part it reminded me of my own immigrant journey and the meaning we're all searching for, becoming better versions of ourselves—emotionally raw at times when JR describes dealing with loss and overcoming adversity. His writing weaves motion, arrival, and presence into a memoir that connects his roots to his current journey. Multi-generational, multi-continental wisdom here for everyone—this book could very well be called 'Roots.'”

— Dr. Sanjay Goil