Rating: 
Summary: Well written, but as for the contents.
Review: As a British-Iranian, having spent most of my life in Great Britain, the things that I say might be viewed as if I read this book in a single-minded manner. On the contrary, I read this book very open-mindedly, having been away from Iran for many years. I believe that this book was written well with a good balance in terms of literature. But as for the contents, the way in which Betty describes the story I think is a little unjust and unfair. What has to be remembered, is that at the time which Betty spent in Iran, the country had just gone through a revolution and after all the turmoil the people were nervous and anxious to find out what the future held for them. Iran was also in the middle of a war, after the unsuccessful invasion by Iraq. So by all means, as I personally remember, Iran was a difficult place to be in at the time, as would any other country that goes through a war and a revolution. So if anger strikes amongst people, it could be a little understandable. However, this DEFINITELY does NOT mean taking it out on other people... a picture which Betty tries to paint all throughout. I am sure Betty had a difficult time in Iran, and was always looking for ways to escape, but maybe that itself was her husband's soft-spot?? I would say that in many aspects, Betty used her 'sensational book' to cause nothing but offence to those Iranians who do get offended by such things. For example, to suggest that the people of a country only take a bath once a year - on New Year's Day, is totally out of this world! I think that such parts of Betty's book were little more than gimmicks to keep the reader interested. Also, I'm certain everyone would agree that there are two sides to every story. And having heard parts of "the other side" to this story - namely, Betty's husband, I would say that it is interesting how no reference was made to the fact that Betty was a mental patient of Dr Mahmoody. That in itself would have a bearing on the story, would you not agree? If it's argued that that is a lie, then, any sensible person would repeat the same about Betty's story!
Rating: 
Summary: it boils down to one thing
Review: I loved this book. I have read through it a bunch of times and I always find it just as compelling. In a later review, I will get into that one more. In the meantime, I want to comment on the criticisms I see over and over. You accuse her of being biased. Let's consider some facts. Betty Mahmoody went to Iran with her daughter. That is a fact. Her husband would not let her leave. That is a fact. She was held against her will. Yes, I know she could have theoretically forced a divorce which would have gotten her deported but her daughter would have been stuck there. She was not allowed to leave freely and on her own terms simply because she was a woman. That is a fact that is written into the country's law. Criticize her if you feel you must. But just remember that she was held against her will just beacause of her gender. There is no justification for that. Please, tell me. What defense could her husband possibly have?
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring
Review: Not Without My Daughter is an inspiring book about a courageous mom who fights for the freedom of herself and her daughter. She refuses to live the rest of her life in fear of her husband in Iran. It seems as if no one will help them and they'll be stuck there forever. It is a terrifying true story that will have your heart racing throughout the entire book. You are there with Betty and Mahtob as they struggle to escape the prison they're being held in. This book is definitely worth reading and one you won't be able to put down. It opens your eyes to the other cultures of the world. It also made me appreciate being an American citizen.
Rating: 
Summary: Understandably Prejudiced
Review: First, the book was not necessarily well written, but then, this kind of book doesn't have to be well written to get its point across. Biased, yes, but understandably so. Many of the reviews that follow claim that Betty Mahmoudi has presented a one-sided, bigoted, prejudiced, etc., etc., view of life in Iran (in 1984). But, here are some facts those reviews ignore:
1) Betty wanted to GET OUT OF IRAN! If Iran is so great, why didn't she want to stay? I also notice that most, if not all, of the people who are criticizing the objectiveness of this book are Iranians who are not living in Iran (they are Iranians living in Canada or in the UK - go figure)!
2) Betty's desperation to get out of Iran is the only justification she needs to do whatever it takes, legal or otherwise, to accomplish her objective. If she had the support and cooperation of a loving Iranian host/family, then she would not have needed to resort to smugglers.
3) Whether or not Dr. Mahmoudi made Betty stay in doors because Iran it is dangerous for a woman to walk the city streets of Iran or because he was afraid that Betty would try to escape, it doesn't matter. Both scenarios are bad.
4) Criticisms about this story (and I understand much of it may be exaggerated, but this is Betty's story and not yours, my friend) are mostly coming from the lucky people who are not actually living the horror that Betty had to go through. Is this story biased? Yes! Is that bias understandable? Yes! Is Betty a somewhat culturally ignorant bumpkin? Yes. You can put any kind of positive spin you want on life in Iran, but the bottom line is that many more people are trying to get out of Iran than are trying to get into Iran. Another story that carried a somewhat similar theme of Americans who don't do well in foreign places is "Daughter of Danang" ( http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/daughter/ ), which really made me feel more sympathy for the Vietnamese people than for the immature and insensitive American girl who returned to Danang, her birthplace, for a family reunion of sorts.
Rating:
Summary: Spectacular
Review: I really enjoyed the book. Knowing that it was a true story was great because it put you right in Iran and you can just imagine everything that is going on in your mind. I thought it was a great piece of writing and it gave a lot of information on what did and what could really happen. I could not put it down there was something new on every page. It also made me see that I am really lucky to be an American!
Rating:
Summary: An absolutely compelling story.
Review: This book tells about one woman's courage and strength. Those who panned this book should remember Betty Mahmoody agreed to go to Iran only because her husband "promised" her they would only stay two weeks. He announced just a few days before their scheduled departure that he lost his job and they would remain in Iran. He betrayed her in a very big way. Since, according to government rules, she could not divorce Moody without losing her daughter or if she left the country without Mahtob to visit her dying father, she would not be permited to return. Remember, Betty did not want to live according to their culture and she had that choice since these are modern times. As a result, Betty was going to leave the country anyway she could. There have been Iranian women who have left the country never wanting to return also. Yes, she is negative toward the country but she is not the only one who has escaped Iran or other such countries. Not Without My Daughter is one of the most compelling life experience stories I have ever read. I will read it again and again.
Rating: 
Summary: ...
Review: I am a 20 year old female who lives in Iran. I do admit that its hard living in Iran. But al those things Betty Mahmoody wrote in that book, was not all true. She had a bad experience in Iran and thats why she wants to show how "mean" the iranians are. I can say Im proud and lucky to live in such a beautiful country. The warm-hearted people, make it easier to live in Iran. In America they DO NOT have people lke his, in America they only love their own country. Even if you think I dont like Americans, because I write this, it isnt so. I have a lot of American, who live in Iran and are happy.
Im sorry for Betty Mahmoody, that she didnt like Iran.
But why didnt she write that she is a mental patient of her own husband? Was it maybe embarassing for her? Did she think that its ok for her to describe the iranians as animals and describe herself as an angel? I think this woman is an arrogant woman that has a lot of psychic problems, een if you dont want to believeit, It is the truth.
I am PROUD to say that Im an Iranian and live in Iran, and to all those of you who believe the lies of this woman, you are as arrogant as that woman. Go and get an iranian friend and then you will find out how we are.
I recommend you to read this book and see how many lies a woman can tell and see how one woman can brainwash you.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing Story
Review: I bought this book right after it was published, curled up with it, and could not put it down, finally finishing it at 5:30 the following morning. When I try to imagine what I would do in those circumstances, I am overwhelmed with Betty's bravery and fortitude, even today as she continues to help other 21st century women escape 7th century attitudes and notions. I would like to learn about her life in hiding from her husband as she raised their daughter in freedom, knowing that if he could, he would snatch the child away. I recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: do not stereotype
Review: Although I have not read the book, I have seen the movie several times. I cannot say I was not touched by the difficulties Betty, as a character in this movie, faced. I know that life in Iran was, and probably still is, not the best for people to live freely, men and women alike. However, one should be careful not to make stereotypes of this. People in that part of the world, are very warm-hearted, kind and helpful . I would tend to think that Betty did not really have all this hatred and mistreatment from all of Mahmoody family members.
I also would like to comment on one reviewer's note who said that if he had to read 2 books about that part of the world, he would chose this book and Midnight Express.
First of all, Persia and the Middle East have been there for thousands of years. Cultures after cultures, people after people. I can't see myself as a learned person saying that I can know all about them from two books, basically two books by the same author
, William Hoffer. And how am I to judge that Turkey and the people there are so bad, just by reading the story of a drug smuggler who was jailed for his deeds. And now, I think as an American, I should be really careful writing such reviews and believe them, because the day is coming soon when all Americans will be viewed by the rest of the world as people who would mistreat others under their custody by abusing them in the most inhumane ways known. I would never want us to be judged by the photos of abuse of Iraqi prisoners, and so I would never want to judge other peoples of the world by two such novels.
Rating:
Summary: Very Interesting Story
Review: I never had the chance to read the book, but I have watched the movie like over a thousand times and I still cannot get over how women over in that part of the county get treated. I think Betty was a very brave woman to do what she did about how she escaped from Iran with her daughter. Even though Betty was finally returned home to America with her daughter, I am just curious about one thing. Did Betty's ex-husband or anybody in his family ever return to the United States to try to get their daughter back? Or if Betty and her daughter were just able to freely live in America without worrying about wheather betty's ex-husband would come back to snatch their daughter away from her or what happened? There was no update on the story after the return to America. I do plan to read the book someday.
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