Desert Flower : The Extraordinary Journey Of A Desert Nomad

Rating:
Summary: superb;
Review: This autobiography describes Dirie's life in Africa, her passage to womanhood, and her life as a supermodel. I couldn't put it down.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, inspiring, sad, educational, sensitive.
Review: What admiration I have for Waris. What strength, determination, self-confidence and worth to endure so much, to be so alone, and to continue strieving for the better live. How dreams do come true. I say, as I have for many years, the importance of educating our 5th & 6th graders, by allowing them at such a young age to travel to third world countries and see how others live. Only then, will our children appreciate the free opportunities that the United States and other countries offer. Children, need to know, that it only requires a little work, patience and determination to see their goal. I personally am ready to volunteer and do whatever it takes, to educate the women of so many countries, that female gential circumcision is self-rewarding to men, and deadly to women; whether through death, health problems or self estreem. Waris, keep up the good work.

Rating:
Summary: Such a brave woman - with a great sense of humor!
Review: I laughed and cried through this one, folks! Her story is the epitome of "positive thinking." Living - and succeeding - under such brutal "challenges" would have broken the strongest back. (It was enough for me to support an organization against racist and sexual exploitation of women and children.) It isn't easy for anyone to go out alone in this world, but Waris gives you the chance - and hope - to see that you have to believe in yourself.

Rating:
Summary: and you thought there were no flowers in the desert
Review: i first came upon the image of waris while idly flipping through the pages of a magazine. a fold-out revelon ad revealed faces of several typical-model cutouts and one strikingly exotic woman. i read the insert and noted that model's name; i knew i'd be hearing a lot more about this woman. i just didn't know how. waris dirie's story compacts more events, turns, triumphs and tragedies in her young life than many of us will ever encounter in many more years here on earth. this book is an easy read, in spite of it's heady subject nature. waris' direct and humorous approach in recounting some less than pleasant experiences is endearing. her journey from the deserts of somalia to the new york metropolis is paved with interesting and life-affirming anectdotes that are a testament to the human spirit. waris is indeed dealt a great number of blows by virtue of her birth to somali nomads. also, while she doesn't admit it, waris seems to court trouble and trouble easily complies. however, it is these circumstances that seem to have uniquely prepared her to triumph over every obstable placed in her path later in life. her determination and willingness to risk all for her beliefs are the engine for this book. the story of waris' young life offers a journey to the reader. read it and enjoy one incredible ride.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing story -I could not put it down.
Review: I found I could not put this book down. Its amazing to me the drive Waris had in life to get where she wanted. Its sometimes funny, sometimes sad but so interesting to see how far she has come and what its really like coming from someplace so foreign to most of us. Its made me rethink a lot I take for granted. Great book.

Rating:
Summary: An eye-opener....
Review: Too many Americans do not understand the culture and traditions in many countries, and the ritual of female circumsicsion is one of those little known things. Waris' story taught me that you can overcome many obstacles, including life as a nomad, and go on to great things. I wish Waris all the luck in her future endeavors. And, I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Rating:
Summary: An inspiring and stunning story of a totally alien culture
Review: I've just read an advanced copy of this book in one sitting. This frank autobiography's subtitle sums it up succinctly. Raised in the Somali desert, Dirie spent her childhood herding goats and camels. When her uncle becomes ambassador to Britain, she is sent to work for his family in London as a maid. Suffering culture-shock in the extreme, the illiterate barefoot had never before seen white people or a flushing toilet! But it is Dirie's openness in describing her "circumcision" and its subseqent effect on her life which brings tears to the eyes with it's sheer horror. Far from being a vapid supermodel exposé, this is an inspiring and stunning story of a culture totally alien to the Western world, of family, of growth and of one woman's unrelenting determination to succeed. I can't wait to hear her speak when she tours Australia for the books launch next month.

Rating:
Summary: Desert Flower
Review: Desert Flower
Waris Dirie tells the story of her life, from a world of poverty and the nomad lifestyle, to the pressures of being a super model. I found her biography to be one of the most compelling books I have ever read. She is able to tell the remarkable story of her life and in doing so teaches its audience about the struggles that women still face in many other cultures today. She truly takes advantage of her privilege of living in the United States where as many of American natives take the simple pleasures for granted.
She gives excellent detail in telling her story and captured my attention quickly. She starts talking about her life as a child and the hardships that were brought upon her living the nomad lifestyle, constant moving around and a father with several wives. To make matters worse she is attacked and raped several times. One of the most heart breaking parts of her story is that she had to have Female Genital Mutilation, which is a common practice in Africa, but definitely illegal her in the United States. Through telling of her experiences it helps the readers of the book especially women to be thankful of the rights and freedoms we have today.
This book is a true inspiration and shows the power and strength of the human spirit and the will to overcome struggles. The shortcomings are a lot of bad words were used in the book, although I realize sometimes a certain word needs to get a point across to the audience. That was really the only part that bothered me. Overall I would rate the book at four stars.

Rating:
Summary: Yes!
Review: It naturally just goes to your heart. The language is simple and honest, so you can read the book in a day or two. Her story was just remarkable and the book was well-written. People should be made aware of FGM and its effects. They should know that it exists. I particularly liked the way she ended the book. She says that if the existance of FGM has any meaningful explanation, maybe she would think twice about denouncing it...but this practice has no significant reason to exist what so ever! There were, however, too many "In Africa..." generalizations in the book. FGM is not ubiquitous in Africa, in fact, most Africans don't even know that it's there. It is just concentrated mainly in East African countries like Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Djibouti, and some areas in West Africa like Mali for example. I loved the book. Everyone should read it!

Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary
Review: Cheers to Waris for writing her extraordinary life story for the rest of us to read! It took such courage to write, but I am sure is going a LONG way to ease and prevent some of the suffering of African women/girls.

This book is a quick read (I could not put it down for 2 days) and shockingly memorable. I have a new empathy and respect for the Somali refugee women that abound in the Pacific Northwest. These women are undoubtedly fighters like Waris, and continue to fight private struggles that I would never have known about.

Thank you, Waris.