Puerto Rico to the White House by Dr. Jacob Lozada is an account of his life. He was born and raised on the island of Puerto Rico. His parents had a big age difference, but they eventually got married. Jacob was born at home with the help of a local midwife, as the health system was not advanced. Other challenges on the island included a lack of fresh water and hurricanes, which devastated neighborhoods, such as Hurricane Santa Clara. Jacob’s education started at home with his mother teaching him basic housekeeping skills. After formal education, he didn’t hesitate to volunteer to help others, engage in sports, and participate in other leadership activities. In college, the ROTC, a nationwide college program that prepares students to become officers in the military, became invaluable to him. He has a successful military career. How will things turn out after he is invited to an interview to serve in President Bush’s administration?

Puerto Rico to the White House by Dr. Jacob Lozada is wonderfully written, and once you start reading it, there is no putting it down. Jacob’s story is about courage, resilience, and unwavering belief in one’s dreams. It shows how hard work pays, and I believe it will motivate many readers. I loved the vivid descriptions of his life’s events, which make the work captivating. This thought-provoking work also offered a different perspective on the relationship between Puerto Rico and the USA, unlike many other books I have read. The seamless flow of the events leaves no room for confusion, and the reader will also appreciate the easy-to-understand language used, which makes the work accessible to all audiences. This was a good read, and I look forward to more by Dr. Jacob Lozada.

Puerto Rico to the White House: A Memoir of Possibilities and Persistence by Dr. Jacob Lozada recounts his life from childhood in Puerto Rico to becoming Assistant Secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs. He details his upbringing in a public housing project, early leadership experiences in school and church, and his military service in Germany, South Korea, and various U.S. locations. His career evolved through medical administration, command positions, and inspector roles. After retiring from the Army, Lozada transitioned to international healthcare consulting and later joined EDS, focusing on military healthcare initiatives. A shift at EDS prompted him to seek federal service, leading to his nomination, with steps through the federal appointment process, Senate testimony, and his official confirmation and swearing-in under President George W. Bush.

Puerto Rico to the White House by Dr. Jacob Lozada is a clear, well-structured memoir that immediately brings the reader into moments of significance, starting from a young age. Lozada covers a lot of ground, and it's pretty incredible that he was able to get it all into a single book since it feels like he has lived at least three lifetimes. The photos included are amazing. As a person who was raised in a third-world country and without a single leg up in life, I found Lozada's experiences relatable. I most enjoyed the detailing of how he was able to manage a hospital project in Bogotá while completing his PhD, even defending his thesis over an international conference call! Yes, Lozada's getting into the White House is the draw that most readers will pick the book up to follow, but honestly, this is one of those stories where the journey genuinely is as powerful as the destination. I cannot give the kind of stars he can pin on his uniform, but as far as literary merit in his book, he deserves all five.