Laurie F. (laurief) reviewed Mayada, Daughter of Iraq: One Woman's Survival Under Saddam Hussein on + 19 more book reviews
This is one of the best books I have ever read!
Lenka S. reviewed Mayada, Daughter of Iraq: One Woman's Survival Under Saddam Hussein on + 819 more book reviews
Being from Eastern Europe myself, the country which suffered greatly from numerous dictatorships, especially in 30s-50s from Joseph Stalin, I was shocked by the similarity between the inhumane barbaric methods of ruling between Stalin and Hussein. Both dictators supposedly promoted progress encouraging education and universal literacy, equal rights for women, but at the same time kept the population in fear and terror. The story is very emotional, passionate and personal. A lot of historic facts which I didn't know about the country are given and they are helpful. The wonderful innocent women were subject to crazy tortures but they had each other's kindness and support afterwards. In Stalin's camps a huge part of the punishment was mixing innocent political prisoners with hard core criminals,totally dehumanized species, being around which was a torture as well.
Amazing book.
Amazing book.
Barbara I. (Munro) reviewed Mayada, Daughter of Iraq: One Woman's Survival Under Saddam Hussein on + 95 more book reviews
Sasson, author of Princess: A True Story of Life behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia (1992), first met Mayada in 1998. A year later, Mayada, granddaughter of a revered Iraqi hero who fought with Lawrence of Arabia, a former journalist, modern businesswoman, and the mother of two children, was arrested and imprisoned on allegations that her business was printing antigovernment flyers. Sasson relates Mayada's imprisonment with 17 "shadow women," similarly falsely accused and imprisoned and subjected to torture and cruelty under the regime of Saddam Hussein. To distract themselves, the women tell each other stories of their lives, and Mayada discloses her high-born, privileged lifestyle even though her family were not members of the leading Baath Party. She recalls her mother's acquaintance with Hussein's wife and their mutual dislike. Mayada also tells of interviews with the cruel and erratic Ali Hassan al-Majid, Hussein's cousin and the man who would become known as Chemical Ali. This is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the cruelties suffered by the Iraqis under Hussein.
This book showed me the diversity of stong women in the Middle East.
