Caught up in a terrifying war, facing choices of life and death, two Iraqi sisters take us into the hidden world of women’s lives under U.S. ...
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reviews
Jan 10, 2011
Moira
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Absolutely engrossing and engaging. Tells the true stories of 4 women in Iraq from the US invasion in 2003 onward: 2 Iraqi sisters, an American aid worker, and an American soldier - all working in one way or another for women's rights. You learn what life was like for women under Saddam, and then as the invasion and occupation proceed, and the enormity of the trauma and destruction of individual lives - which is largely unseen by Americans. It truly is mind-boggling. And yet this is not a diffic
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Nov 16, 2009
Erin
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Sisters in War gives a unique perspective of the Iraq war. Much about what has been written about the Iraq war comes from the military perspective, this book tells a different story, the story of women and how they have been impacted and changed by the war.
The story is told through several different lens; Zia and Nunu are sisters who live in Bagdad. Zia is fluent in English and quickly rises in a job working in the Green Zone with Americans. Her story talks tells about how she has t More...
The story is told through several different lens; Zia and Nunu are sisters who live in Bagdad. Zia is fluent in English and quickly rises in a job working in the Green Zone with Americans. Her story talks tells about how she has t More...
Jan 06, 2010
mark
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SISTERS IN WAR is journalist Christina Asquith’s account of the War on Terror, 2003 – 2009, Afghanistan/Iraq, from the female perspective; and rounds out my study of that war. [I have read and reviewed: The Unforgiving Moment, written by US Army Ranger Platoon leader, Craig Mullaney; Where Men Meet Glory, written by journalist Jon Krakauer; The Last War, a novel by Ana Menendez; and The Forever War, by NY TIMES foreign correspondent Dexter Filkins who was embedded with the US Marines.] Asquith t
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Jul 29, 2011
Priscilla
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Women’s Voices as Historical Record
Sisters in War, by Christina Asquith, documents the lives of four women in war-ravaged Iraq. Asquith anchors her story with names and events that are the memorable war headlines of American news in 2003-2004. She then reveals truths that were not known state-side: details of events and their effect on women’s lives, and how the continued American military presence affects the Iraqi people outside the enclave known as the Green Zone.
Iraqi si More...
Sisters in War, by Christina Asquith, documents the lives of four women in war-ravaged Iraq. Asquith anchors her story with names and events that are the memorable war headlines of American news in 2003-2004. She then reveals truths that were not known state-side: details of events and their effect on women’s lives, and how the continued American military presence affects the Iraqi people outside the enclave known as the Green Zone.
Iraqi si More...
Apr 26, 2011
Sarah
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This book really opened my eyes to the struggle of the Iraq people. I was a teenager in the 90's when the Golf War started and in College when the Iraq war started. I was very ignorant as to what had gone on over there and really wanted to read a book that would enlighten me on the topic. This book is well written and at times filled with an overwhelming amount of facts. It follows the story of 2 sisters, a female US soldier and an Iraqi born US women's rights activist. I was shocked to lea
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May 12, 2010
Meagan
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This book was amazing, I took a class on Modern Women in Islam with the author and we had to read her book for it. At first I thought it was another classic case of buy my brand new book for my class so it sells well however when I started reading Sisters in War I could not put it down. This book is such an interesting account of the war in Iraqi from a perspective that you rarely hear about. The authors class was amazing to. A fantastic book all around, I've been recommending it to everyone I k
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Feb 12, 2010
Carrie
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This is an enlightening book on the hardships of war on women. Women, in some ways, are the collateral damage during times of war. We are unaware of what is suffered by so many on a daily basis. Opens the door to realize that the fates of many are in the hands of a few. This book brings the Iraq war to a personal level that makes my daily freedoms much more precious but also helps me realize that freedom cannot be fully appreciated until it has been taken away.
Oct 11, 2009
Carolyn
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This is my first free read and I was anxiously looking forward to reading it. It is a powerful story about two Iraqi sisters and two American women and their struggles in Iraq after the invasion. The Americans were trying to improve life for the Iraqi women but politics, religion and the differencs in the Iraqi culture made it an almost impossible task. The sisters were very different and each did what they had to do to survive. After reading this I better understand the plight of the women
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Apr 21, 2011
Jennie
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This was an interesting look at what the Iqaq invasion was like from an Iraqi woman's point of view. It also mentioned Civil Affairs, which is why I got it in the first place, but I found myself paying more attention to the struggles of the two sisters than the journalist or Civil Affairs officer. Even at the end, which seems happy, I still found it somewhat bittersweet. A good book, definitely, and a different point of view.
Feb 04, 2010
Jennifer (JSweetieXO)
rated it:
I am not so far into this book yet, but I am absolutely loving it. It reminds me why I love books about true stories so much. Zia's, Manal's and Heather's experiences are captivating. I am learning so much about the way Iraq was and it makes me think, "wow, good thing we went in there and helped". I am big on the fact that women shouldn't be forced into marriage and all the "duties" the Iraqis think they should do.
I have now finished reading this book and I More...
I have now finished reading this book and I More...
Oct 15, 2009
Cheryl
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I really, really enjoyed this book. I admittedly did not pay much attention to what was going on in Iraq since 9/11. I watched the news but never sought out more information. Reading this story from the perspective of a family living in Iraq through these times was interesting, engaging and really got me thinking. I love books that can do that.
Dec 07, 2009
Doug
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Stop what you are doing and read this book.
You will learn why Iraqis wanted Saddam out. You will learn why Americans wanted to improve the lives of Iraqis. You will learn what women in Iraq experienced before, during, and after the overthrow of Saddam.
The book focuses on women and women's rights but it is about people making a difference.
You will learn why Iraqis wanted Saddam out. You will learn why Americans wanted to improve the lives of Iraqis. You will learn what women in Iraq experienced before, during, and after the overthrow of Saddam.
The book focuses on women and women's rights but it is about people making a difference.
Sep 29, 2010
Florence
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This book tells the story of war, told from a woman's perspective, and from the scene of the atrocities. It takes not particular position about the American invasion, but wisely concentrates on the scenes of tragedy and carnage that resulted. What has all of this violence acheived? Ordinary Iraqis have seen their country destroyed. Although Saddam is gone, so is most of their infrastructure and civil society.
Mar 05, 2010
Suzanne
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Story of Iraqi family, a returning Iraqi, and a soldier that wanted to improve women's rights in Iraq. The women in the Iraqi family tell of the same stresses and difficulties from what I heard from women in Afghanistan. I just don't get subjugating 50% of the population.
Feb 04, 2010
Beth
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The stories of 4 women during the US invasion of Iraq and subsequent years: an American aid worker, an American soldier, and 2 Iraqi sisters. A fascinating personal account of what it felt like and looked like from a woman's perspective.
Feb 18, 2011
Christine
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fascinating. Good mix of history and intense suspense with a sweet love story mixed in. I was shocked to know what was/is going on to so many families in Iraq.
May 30, 2010
Amanda J
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This book has a lot of good information that if you are interested in the Iraq war and/or women's rights issues you will be certain to appreciate. The author is a journalist and the book reads more like an exposé than a novel. Sometimes you are hit with so many facts it feels like you are reading the morning newspaper. Asquith always brings it back around, however, to the plights of the 4 women featured in the novel. She gives a voice to the countless women caught up in the tradegy that is the I
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Jan 31, 2011
Very educational, and eye-opening, about Iraq, the people there, and the U.S. presence.
Mar 10, 2010
Emily
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Really interesting book showing the experiences of women and the struggle for women's rights in Iraqi from the beginning of the US invasion. The struggles of the lives of women and how life was in Iraqi is very interesting to learn about. It was the first book in a while that I didn't want to put down at night. I definitely recommend it and have passed my copy on to share.
Jun 30, 2011
Beth
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I loved this book - it gives a very clear picture of what the early day of war were like for women and how it has adversely affected women's rights in Iran, all while keeping the story personal and interesting.
Jun 18, 2011
jeanie
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It is incredibly sad to read about the plight of women in Iraq, and the failures of the American occupation.
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