Rating: 
Summary: A Very Timely Page Turner
Review: MAYADA, DAUGHTER OF IRAQ: ONE WOMEN'S SURVIVAL UNDER SADDAM HUSSEIN, is yet another page turner by Jean Sasson. It is a very timely tale of Mayada, an Iraqi citizen's unjust treatment, imprisonment and torture. It puts broader prespective on Saddam's cruel regime. My appreciation of America is much greater. How fortunate to have been born in a democracy with civil liberties. One cannot read news reports of Iraq without wondering what happened to the shadow women of cell 52. This book sticks with you as the unrest continues in Iraq. It is a must read that will not dissapoint. One learns great knowledge of the history of the Iraq and about its people. The cruel acts performed by Saddam and his sons do not leave ones memory as you contemplate how anyone can be so merciless.
Rating:
Summary: Read this, but only if you can do so in one sitting..
Review: No matter which side you come down on, with respect to the US/UK invasion of Iraq, you will be more than happy that the cruelties, as played out so vividly in this book, are no longer a fact of Iraqi life. For this, you can thank the coalition overthrow of the brutish mega-tyrant, Saddam Hussein, and his extended family of murderous thugs.Jean Sasson has gifted us a tightly woven account of Mayada Al-Askari, a divorced woman of extraordinary lineage, leading an ordinary life in Baghdad. Mayada's life was simple: pursuit of the betterment of the lives of her children, while living in the midst of Iraq's latest, darkest period. I was struck by Ms. Sasson's ability to place me within the virtual company of Mayada, and the "Shadow Women", while weaving Mayada's memories (as if Mayada herself were talking) with the fragility of the moment, amid the mind piercing horror of the hell that was their jail. No surprise that virtually every reader (will) feel a genuine out-pouring of emotion for the women, and all innocent Iraqi's who were subjected to the same wanton terror. I was surprised most by Ms. Sasson's ability to place me within the prison cell and torture chambers. She forced me to experience the despair and filthy stench that has nothing to do with the physical conditions, and everything to do with the depths at which humans are too often willing to sink, for too many self-serving, psychotic and sycophantic reasons... Even so, this book is really a celebration of a group of women who pulled together within the depths of evil, to ensure the victory of at least one of them, and to enable her to share their collective ordeal with us. Of some of them, I am truly in awe. Get this book, and read it... Give it to a friend. We Americans are a criminally self-indulgent lot. We owe it to ourselves to experience, and understand, the insane cruelty that can obviate our unhealthy striving for ever more "coveted" comforts, and replace them with knowledge that, what (can) be taken away has far more to do with connections to ourselves, our families and intimate community of friends, and less with our SUV's and window treatments... The level of connections made by the "Shadow Women" was as astounding and heart-warming as it was wrenching and piteous. I hope Ms. Sasson is able to find these women and give us an accounting. She is also a remarkable woman, and I trust this is as important to Mayada and herself as it is to her readers. BTW... This book reminds us once again, the daughters of lions are lions too.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent book
Review: Mayada has to be one of 2004 top reads. Exploring the jail cells and treatmeant of Iraqians Mayada is a very touching story which will fill your heart with different emotions. Jean Sasson has yet again conjoured a wonder of a book. The book is put together so well and it even has a glossary if you dont understand the words. Mayada has all the cons of the Iraqian government and what Saddam and the government used to do (Uday who is saddams son used to let go of a tiger at busy restaraunts). Bizarre! Its starts off with Mayada, a newspaper journalist being imprisoned at Baladiyat where the guards torture people for days on and even killing them in the process (RIP JAMILA). She was imprisoned for accusations of herosy. This book is well put together but some parts seem fake and untrue and the ending wasn't good enough considering it had such a good story. So in all the only major con of this book is the bad ending(which cost it a star)
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Books I Have Ever Read
Review: For anyone who ever questioned or were against the removing of Saddam Hussein from power needs to read this book immediately. This is especially true for any of you human rights activists who are against Operation Iraqi Freedom. This book thouroughly details the story of a young, divorced mother who was making a nice life for herself, despite the brutal ecomnomic embargo placed on that country due to Saddam's actions, only to have her place of business trashed by Saddam's henchmen in an effort to try and find "evidence" of someone writing up anti-government flyers. Despite not finding anything of this sort, Mayada (the main character in this story, whose family is famous and very well known throughout the Arab world) was arrested anyway and was thrown into one of Saddam's infamous prisons. She was locked in a small cell with 17 other women. From there the book details these brave women's (and also goes into the men's suffering as well) coping with the stress of prison life in Saddam Hussein's Iraq. The book goes into the horrendous torture methods used upon these people and the aftermath of their torture; the squalid conditions of prison life over there; the cries of wanting to see their families again, but knowing they may never see them again; and their battle to keep each other's spirits up despite the brutal conditions. What also is interesting here is the very minor "offenses" these poor people committed to get themselves in this position. They were imprisoned for everything from hearing anti-government statements to flat out false accusations. This book is an absolute must read for it will permanently show you just how satanic Saddam Hussein and his horrible regeime really were and why on the human rights violations alone (never mind the WMD issue and his long support for terrorism) were more than enough to justify a war to remove him from power. No one deserves to live like that under constant fear. Do yourself a favor and read this book it is well worth the time, especially with everything going on in Iraq right now.
Rating:
Summary: Facts
Review: Other reviews of this book may lead you to believe that it leans one way or the other on whether we should have gone to war with Iraq. So I fear that someone who might otherwise have read this may decide against it because they don't want to read another Limbaugh-like or O'Reilly-like book. It's nothing like that. This book is facts, no editorializing. So, if you're interested in what was going on in Iraq before 2003, read this. Remember, though, you will be seeing things mostly through the eyes of Mayada, a privileged member of Iraq's upper class. So, I think she probably did not become fully conscious of the horrors there until after she was carted off to prison and heard the stories of her fellow prisoners. I warn that you may find it difficult to read some of Mayada's experiences in prison. I did. Different people have different tolerance levels. But read this. It doesn't contain anything that could offend your opinion; it's just the facts. And, regardless of your opinion, you want to base it on facts, right?
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Well written book that will keep you glued. Sasson documents, through Mayada, just how much evil man is capable of. At some points in the book, I simply stopped reading and caught my breath. When I think of the gratefulness I have for our American soldiers for the great work they have done, I can only imagine the depths of thanks that the oppressed people of Iraq hold for their liberators.
Rating:
Summary: WOMEN OF STRENGTH
Review: Dear Ms. Sasson and Americans looking for the truth, My name is Sarah and I am 21 years old. I am Christian born in Connecticut and my parents are Lebanese. I am inspired by this book. I cannot say it enough. I walked into barnes and noble just browsing and saw the cover of your book and didn't think much of what could be inside. The tittle drew me to buy the book.
As an American I am touched by the story of Mayada. As an Arab I am horrified, shocked and concerned because of what Iraqi people had to endure. Your book is amazing. Mayada's story was so real. The images were so vivid in my mind as I read on about the battery charger that was attached to the ears of that brave woman, the wounds that they endured the finger nail markings that were carved into the jail cell number 52's wall. I just finished reading the book and I only bought it two days ago. I have already begun telling everyone I know about the book. I can't stop thinking about Mayada and her life.
Whether or not the shadow womens locations are found, this story must be read by ALL people. Women first, then children, then presidents and their cabinets. Women first because they will be inspired and moved to do the best for the true good of humanity. Something that the modern world has made us too confused to see still exists.
Children because they must know of the struggle of the past. The past that has affored us a future. They must also know the true love of a mother. Something that few modern world children in this country see.
Presidents and their cabinets last. They must know the power that evil and greed can have over the simple minded stubborn and ambitious people who only seek to hurt. They must be wary that history does not repeat itself,
again.
Nothing could be more necessary for a world that is so caught up within itself as a look into the beautiful eyes of strong arab women who endured the worst anyone could imagine. The more we talk the better it will be for the future of the World.
I thank you so very much for your ability to tell such a story and I am so proud to say that I can go to the book store, buy whatever articles of media I want,open up a book and read about such am amzing group of women who only knew eachother for a short time yet cared about eachother as if they were friends of childhood.
Humanity exists and kindness is still around. I hope that this story inspires all who know it in the same way it as for me.
Thank You.
Rating:
Summary: Just repeating what's been said
Review: I took this book on vacation and could not put it down. Just as with her other books, Jean takes a hard look at a part of the world that just doesn't get it. As others have said, if one has ANY doubts about whether or not we should have gone into Iraq, this book is a MUST READ.
I am waiting for the update on these brave women. Thank you, once again, Jean, for a most powerful book.
Rating:
Summary: Hard to put down
Review: This book has taught me a lot about the horrible conditions the people of Iraq have had to endure at the hands of Saddam Hussein. My heart aches for the people of that country and I hope they can find some peace now that Saddam has been captured. Jean Sasson is a wonderful writer. I have recommended the book to many people. It is eye opening as an American to see how differently others live. It gives a new meaning to freedom. I couldn't put the book down for two days.
Rating:
Summary: Urgent read for all Americans
Review: I have just read this book, and was so deeply touched by the suffering of the Iraqi people. Everyone who ever thought we shouldn't have gone to war, should read this book. I guarantee it will change your mind. No one should ever have to endure what happened to these people every day. We just don't know how truly lucky we are to live in this country.
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