Zainab Salbi was eleven years old when her father was chosen to serve as Saddam Hussein's personal pilot, her family often forced to spend weekends with Saddam where he watched their every move. As a palace insider, Zainab offers a singular glimpse of what it is like to come of age under a dictator and provides an intimate portrait of the man she was taught to call "uncle." She watched as Saddam pitted friends, spouses and even children against each other to compete for his approval. She was sent to donate her mother's jewelry to one of the world's richest men, asked to erase her memory as she heard of crimes she was not supposed to hear of, and witnessed her mother hiding her tears lest it upset Saddam. Her mother eventually sent Zainab to America for an arranged marriage, to spare her from Saddam's growing affections, but the marriage intended to save her turned out to be another world of tyranny and abuse. Despite extraordinary psychological challenges, Zainab started over. She forged a new identity as founder and president of Women for Women International, a nonprofit organization for female victims of war, dedicated to providing women of war and civil unrest with the resources to become self-sufficient citizens and promote peace. Zainab has traveled and promoted her organization widely, speaking out on behalf of oppressed women around the world, but until now has never told this very personal tale. In BETWEEN TWO WORLDS Zainab Salbi reveals the tyrant through the eyes of a child, a secretly rebellious teenager, an abused wife, and ultimately a professional woman coming to terms with the horror of secrets her mother revealed only on her deathbed. Through her ability to come to terms with the child she used to be and dangerous world in which she managed to survive, BETWEEN TWO WORLDS emerges as a story of heroism like no other.
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"A very personal memoir of an Iraqi woman who recalls a wonderful family life in Baghdad before her father felt forced to become Saddam Hussein's pilot and "friend". At first I thought the book was a bit disorganized and asked too many repetitive questions, but I realized this served to underscore the intimacy of the story. Some parts of the book are emotionally draining to read including the last chapters that deal with the author's formation and work with "Women to Women International"." — Cynthia (4 out of 5 stars)
"A very personal memoir of an Iraqi woman who recalls a wonderful family life in Baghdad before her father felt forced to become Saddam Hussein's pilot and "friend". At first I thought the book was a bit disorganized and asked too many repetitive questions, but I realized this served to underscore the intimacy of the story. Some parts of the book are emotionally draining to read including the last chapters that deal with the author's formation and work with "Women to Women International"."
" One of the best and most inspiring stories I've ever read. A great storyteller tells her bitter sweet voyage through her very interesting life. DO READ! "
" This sheds light on how Hussein rose to power and why he persecuted the Shia tribe. I think he was just an insecure man who grew up poor and felt inferior. I enjoyed reading about her triumphs as a women and overcoming her own insecurities and trials. I am truly grateful to live in America and feel blessed to have been born into this country. "
" Great read. Interesting to see Huseian from the eye's of somone close to him. "
" This was a very interesting book. I found it interesting to hear about how Saddam Hussein interacted with his closest confidants. The book certainly makes you think and feel grateful for blessings of living in the U.S. There were a couple of parts that I wouldn't want a teenager to read because they are fairly explicit. "
" I really liked the first half of this book. It was crazy to me to learn about Saddam and just how evil he was. Towards the end, it wasn't nearly as intriguing to me hence my less than 5 star rating. "
" A good insight into Saddam Hussein. Quite a story. A true story. I urge everyone to read it. "
" A great story by a great woman. "
" This book reminds me what makes books so beautiful. It is painfully honest and at times difficult to read. This book will change the way you see Iraq, more importantly the way you see Iraqi people. "
" wonderful! an amazing love story. A must read for its huminizing account of life under Saddam, Iraqi cultural norms, and Zainab's story of finding freedom and a mission in America. "
" A thoughtful examination of the psychology of fear and domination. The thought of being at the mercy of a man who was not unlike Hitler is chilling. He was a rapist and murderer without conscience who ruled by intimidation using women as one of of his tools of control. "
" An interesting story, but written without flow. "
" compelling story of Zabib Salbi and her courageous story of staying true to herself amidst all obstacles. "
" This was a terrific read. I learned so much from her. Gives you a little taste of how dictatorship is. She is so brave & if you can read this without a tear, well, I have to wonder. "
" Incredible story about an incredible woman "
" Great look into Iraq and life under Saddam Hussein. Zainab Salbi is the CEO of Women for Women International an organization that provides support for women survivors of war. "
" Zainab Salbi is an incredible woman leader. I feel very privileged by the fact that I was able to hear her story and that she was able to share her truth with the world. "
" There are no words for the book that wouldn't make me feel like I was cheapening it. I felt super guilty about having had such an easy life by comparison. I learned a great deal about so many things. It gives you some pretty agonizing perspective. "
" Couldn't put this one down. "
" It is an eye opening account of her experiences. "
" Okay, I don't know how to describe this book. Its heart-touching and inspirational,and freakin' good!! I can not imagine growing up like this young women. A must read!!! "
" Reading this book made me feel like I had grown up in Iraq and lived another life. "Zanoobe" makes everything so painfully real. "
" An eye opening account of a girl who grew up in world that was controlled by Saddam in every way. This was a true story of Zainab Salbi, a family friend of this dictator. It shows the hardship of the Iraqi people and how Zainab was able to triumph. "
" I could not put down this compelling tale. "
" This isn't the best book I've ever read, but it is a thoughtful and inspiring memoir and definitely worth reading if you care about the plight of women around the world. Also some interesting insights into Saddam's Iraq. "
" This book provides a very different perspective of Iraqi women and the Iraqi culture. Very fascinating and thought-provoking. "
" What a great book. First of all, I learned a lot about history in Iraq. Zainab's account is very personal and very real. I want to learn more! It is heartbreaking all that happens in our world everyday while I go about my daily life oblivious. "
" This is similar to In the Time of Butterflies. It really puts you inside life in a country with a sick dictator. This one gives insight into Saddam Hussein and Iraq. "
" This is the most revealing book I've heard of about Saddam Hussein and his evil reign. It's biographical, well written, and an excellent read. "
" One of the most powerful books I have ever read! REMARKABLE memoir! "
Josephine Bailey’s impeccable narrations include the British classics Jane Eyre and The Secret Garden. She has also used her subtly nuanced style to enliven historical fiction and light romances. She has won nine AudioFile Earphones Awards and been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award.
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