The Other Side of War: Women's Stories of Survival and Hope

by Zainab Salbi

Zainab Salbi's media profile soared with her first book, Between Two Worlds, a memoir of growing up in Saddam Hussein's inner circle. She has been a guest on "Oprah," has been interviewed by Katie Couric, Al Franken, and George Stephanopoulos, and has been profiled in the New York Times, The Washington Post, and People magazine. Her organization, Women for Women International, plays a vital role in helping to heal war-torn nations including Afghanistan, Bosnia, Rwanda, Congo, Sudan, and Colombia.

With stunning images by award-winning photographers Susan Meiselas, Lekha Singh, and Sylvia Plachy, Salbi presents a riveting collection of letters and first-person narratives by amazing women who survived war's devastation and now must find the strength to rebuild families and communities. Throbbing with pain and loss yet glowing with courage and hope, The Other Side of War explores six regions where Women for Women International has helped survivors of the world's most tumultuous countries learn new skills, open small businesses and forge bonds with sponsors.

Overviews by the author explain how each nation's history led to violent conflict; then, with searing eloquence, the women tell their stories—of horror, cruelty, and suffering but also of profound inspiration as they work toward renewal and toward the day their fierce determination is rewarded with productivity, prosperity, and lasting joy.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Photography, Politics

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 19, 2006

About the author

Zainab Salbi is an Iraqi American writer, activist and social entrepreneur who is co-founder and president for Women for Women International.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think because of all the good reviews my friends gave this book I was expecting more from it. I still liked it, but I felt like the stories never got as in depth as I would like and the actual format of the book (short and wide) made it hard to hold to read.

[Lynde · Rating 5 out of 5]

a gripping load of tales from amazing women. if you ever want to feel fortunate read this book. if you ever want to help, read this book. if you ever want to feel like you have power in your life, read this book.

[Lataun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a coffee table book. Wish I had a coffee table to put it on. It's a compilation of short stories about women surviving...(I guess that's in the title). Very inspiring.

[Jaime Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This project is so intensely beautiful. I love the photography, and the tragedy these women have endured is heartbreaking. The book is sectioned by location/country/region. There is a short historical description of the war and suffering in each country, and then several women share their stories and dreams. They write about what they have overcome, and how they discovered self-love. (Powerful stuff.)

I became interested in these inspiring stories after reading Half the Sky, which moved me so deeply. The photography in The Other Side of War was well-paired with Half the Sky, but I preferred the longer, more detailed accounts in the latter. This is truly an eye-opening project, and I will take all the education I can get. I plan on reading another book, "Between Two Worlds," by Salbi, and then getting involved somehow. Wow.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Zainab's "Between Two Worlds" I immediately researched her organization Women for Women International. This book captures stories and pictures of women who have survived terribly trying times and have been touched by the Women for Women International organization. The mix of images and words truly brings these women's stories to life. Along with Zainab, each and every woman is inspiring in her own way. I cannot wait until I have a steady career and am able to sponsor a woman through Women for Women International. If you're not familiar with the organization check it out here: http://www.womenforwomen.org/

[Nardine Swaidah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember once when I was torn away from my family and home because of war in Iraq. We constantly lived in fear... I've always felt that life have been so unfair. We paid the price of a war that was never owners. But after reading this book I realized that afterall I was so lucky. Nothing is compared to the stories of these women, neither to their strength and courage. This book is an eye opener to the real side of war... Every man and woman should read it and understand that war isn't only about battles and weapons, it's about destroying people's lives and dreams as well, an aspect even more difficult than death itself.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking yet inspiring, this book shows how much modern wars have affected women.
I love these opening lines from the book:
"What is happening in Africa and elsewhere is because the men did not listen to the women, and the women did not listen to the women either, and because the people did not listen to each other and themselves, and because nobody listened to the children and the poets"
Alice Walker

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't even begin to understand the things that went on in the lives of these women. But I feel like I gained a little knowledge about the effects war has on women in these developing countries. I would like to look into the women to women organization to see if there's something I can do to help. The book was very moving for me.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A National Geographic book, a sobering read but one that does help show the resilience of women after horrific traumas, in Colombia, Sudan, Rwanda, the former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Worth the read, esp. for people interested in human rights and women's issues.

[Chanti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving, strong, sad, hopeful, devastating, brilliant, horrible, intensely personal. I cried ... and smiled. Sigh. What an incredible compilation of stories.

[Liam Arne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply astounding. Stunning. Gorgeous. Painful. Terrifying. Tragic. It was all of these adjectives and more. I am quite thankful to have read this book.

[Keshia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The photos were exactly what you would expect from a National Geographic book and the stories were heart felt and interesting.