My Discovery of America

My Discovery of America is a book by Canadian author Farley Mowat, which recounts his troubles trying to enter the United States. It was published by McClelland and Stewart in 1986.

In 1985, Mowat tried to enter the United States for a book tour, and experienced trouble with the U.S. immigration authorities. He was given no reason for being denied entry, and his attempts to find out the reason resulted in a classic run-around. He eventually learned that his name appeared in the "Lookout book" maintained by immigration officials to keep out subversives. Apparently he was believed to represent a threat to the country's national security due to his environmentalist writings.

The denial of entry was very inconvenient for his publishers, who struggled to get Mowat a temporary visa. Mowat was characteristically uncooperative. He insisted that he wouldn't go to the United States unless President Ronald Reagan flew to his door in Air Force One to deliver a personal apology. His publishers, and others, encouraged him to be reasonable, and compromise. Mowat agreed to bend so far as to accept an apology if Vice President George H. W. Bush flew in Air Force Two to a border crossing in Buffalo, New York.

Mowat's troubles generated considerable public ridicule aimed at the authorities. The book contains many quotes from letters and articles by the public and press who supported him. The ban was eventually lifted and Mowat was allowed to see his file, which revealed that he was barred due to an old security dossier supplied to the USA by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The title of the book is intended to be an amusing reference to another one of his books, dealing with his discovery of Siberia, a region to which the Soviet Union did not deny him entry when he wanted to go on a lecture tour there, promoting his books and his ideas on the environment.

References

• Mowat, Farley. My Discovery of America. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1986.
• Mowat, Farley. Sibir: My Discovery of Siberia. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 1973