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Summary: Touching story about a repressive regime
Review: This wonderfully written story about an Iraqi woman was penned by Jean Sasson, the talented author of a number of excellent books on the Middle East (Princess; Ester's Child, etc.)I read this book in one sitting and I don't have the time for such reading as I have young children--but I couldn't help myself. Although no one likes war, after reading this book about the life of an Iraqi woman who suffered in Saddam's torture prisons, I believe most people against the currect military situation with foreign troops stationed in Iraq, will have to agree that some good came from the decision to oust Saddam. He was an evil man with evil followers. I am haunted by the stories of the shadow women--women who were imprisoned with Mayada, and hope that the author & Mayada can enlighten Sasson's readers on the fate of these women. Did they survive, and if so, where are they now? I feel I MUST know. Thanks to Jean Sasson who continues to travel to dangerous places and enlighten the rest of us on the lives of women we come to know and love, but would have never knew existed without Sasson's courageous travels.
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Summary: Bravo Jean Sasson , a wonderful new book
Review: I have read all Ms. Sassons books , and I was very happy to see a new book (Mayada , daughter of Iraq) , and take it from me , a real Iraqi that was born and raised in Iraq , Ms Sasson wrote the story as an Iraqi , as if she had lived under Saddams rule. I advise all readers to get the book . It portrayes the true life in Iraq before we Iraqies were set free.
A five star reading
ILTIFAT AZIZ
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Summary: Book that needs to be read by all
Review: I am an Iraqi woman who survived Saddam Hussein's house of torture. I lost a brother to the regime. I have heard of the Al-Askari family and know that they are well respected by most Iraqis. Because of this, I read this book with great interest and found it to be a mirror of the life most Iraqis led. I congratulate Mayada Al-Askari for allowing Ms. Sasson to tell her true story, which leaves no doubt that the world, along with Iraqis, needed rescuing from Saddam's cruel henchmen. Let the Americans and the British know that they did a good thing with their war on Saddam. We Iraqis are free. I speak with pride of an Iraqi woman brave enough to let her story be told.
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Summary: A Journalist's Perspective
Review: Like everyone else who keeps up with news reports on what's happening in Iraq, I was bamboozled by the search for weapons of mass destruction, disappointed by the lack of results and second-guessing the choice we Americans made to interfere in the sovereign rights of a member of the United Nations. Then I was lucky enough as a journalist to meet Mayada...after I read Jean Sasson's book about her life. Sasson depicts Mayada in the book as a true gentlewoman who traces her lineage back to remarkable gentlemen and women of the educated elite in the part of the world where civilization first emerged. In person, she proved to be that bright and gentle woman. Mayada, through the book and in person, is an excellent spokesman for the injustices of the just-ousted regime in Iraq, for the justice represented by our unilateral action in Iraq and for the promise of a democratic stronghold in the Middle East. After reading the book, even as a seasoned journalist, I have a different frame of reference when I hear, see or read the sensational reports intimating that our U.S. actions were or are based on eroneous grounds. Mayada - a jounalist herself - calls it "a good thing." Knowing her story now, I agree. Read the book and you'll watch history unfold from the viewpoint of someone who has been there.
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Summary: A must read!!!
Review: From the moment I picked up this book, I could not put it down. It's sad and yet amazing to see how Mayada's life goes from normal one day to being in complete upheaval the next. The book really shows you the craziness that existed under Saddam Hussein's rule over Iraq. After reading this biography, I totally understand why the Iraqis were almost afraid to celebrate the end of Saddam's rule. This man was as ruthless as one could get. By the way, I've read other books from this author and she is wonderful. (...)
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Jean Sasson has given a voice to one of the most oppressed groups in the world today - Arab women. First with Princess and now with Mayada. After reading this book, it really makes it seem laughable the so-called "tortures" that US soldiers were doing to Iraqi prisoners in Abu Ghraib. Saddam's henchmen would not have even used their methods to warm up. They went straight to beatings and electrocution. The book was carefully written and moves very quickly. There are no slow spots. It was very revealing of the kind of lives people live under a brutal dictatorship such as Saddam's. Unfortunately, there are others just as bad, if not worse. Just ask the North Koreans.
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Summary: u simply can't put it down!
Review: this is the type of book which makes your hair stand...
it shows the horrible story of a woman who lived is saddam hussien's rule.
it shows how inhuman someone can get...
a must-read!
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Summary: Horrible, Awful, Unhuman
Review: By horrible I'm referring to the things that Iraqis have had to endure since they were formed into a nation - all in the name of greed or different people wanting to come into power. First a royal family was killed, then the Baathist party toppled the government, Saddam Hussein came into power, there was the Iraq-Iran war, the crippling sanctions (imposed by the U.S.), and now the Iraq invasion.
Mayada Al-Askari is a granddaughter of a famous Arab, who is thought of as "the father of modern Arab" - Sati Al-Husri. In fact, most of Mayada's family was either diplomats or had connections throughout the Arab world.
This book is about how under Saddam Hussein's brutal regime, there was a secret police that would arrest any Iraqi who said anything bad about Saddam Hussein or in most cases - did nothing illegal at all. The ways the people are tortured by the secret police is barbaric. It's hard to imagine human beings would do that to other human beings. This book details Mayada's stay in Baladiyat prison with other "shadow women". In between, this book also weaves in great stories about Iraq's history and Mayada's family.
For some good reading on Saddam Hussein and the hardships of the sanctions- Out of the Ashes: The Resurrection of Saddam Hussein is good or going to the United Nations website and searching about Iraq sanctions. For other great books by Jean Sassoon - any book in the Princess trilogy is wonderful.
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Summary: Jean Sasson writes a must read
Review: Jean Sasson writes a great book and an enjoyable read. Mayada, Daughter of Iraq, is a compelling story of a woman through her trials and triumphs in getting through one of the numerous, harsh Iraqi prisons, Baladiyat. Sasson helps us realize what really goes on over in Iraq under the ruling of Saddam Hussein. Through Mayada's story we learn of her mistreating and her strength with the help of her courageous cellmates in cell 52.
This book was impossible to put down; Sasson makes it easy to read. The accounts of Mayada's story are shown so well, making it seem as if I was right there in cell 52 with the "shadow women." With the War in Iraq, this book is a real life account with Saddam Hussein's horrible acts, which in some cases were for minor crimes. It is a blessing Mayada was able to make it out, not only being able to transmit her story, but to see her beloved children. My heart goes out to the women in cell 52. This book is a must read.
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Summary: An Eye Opening Must Read
Review: Another wonderful book by Jean Sasson. This book is a heart-wrenching, eye opening account of Mayada Al-Askari's time spent in an Iraqi prison. The book will touch your heart as you empathise with Mayada and the other women of cell block 52 who were unjustly imprisoned with her. It is hard to comprehend the grief and despair these women suffered as they faced torture and possible death on a daily basis. The book leaves you angry at Saddam and his regime but in awe of the imprisoned women who rally around one another for support and strength as they struggle to survive this horrific ordeal. I am so hopeful that the war brought an end to the suffering for these women and they were able to reunite with their families.
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