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Asylum Speakers: Stories of Migration From the Humans Behind the Headlines
"Asylum Speakers is truly an anthology of humanity. It's a reminder of how much we all have in common and that each of us has an equal right to be safe." - Josie Naughton, founder of Choose Love
Based on the popular podcast, Asylum Speakers is a collection of 31 stories of migration, from those leaving everything they know behind them, to those working alongside them.
Here are the voices that often go the humans behind the statistics and the headlines. From Syria to Venezuela, Eritrea to Afghanistan, Asylum Speakers will transcend borders, nationalities, religions and languages, connecting you to the people with whom we share this world.
"These stories are raw, powerful, intimate, at times hard to read but always full of humanity. Reading this book gives me hope." - Giles Duley, CEO of Legacy of War Foundation
Based on the popular podcast, Asylum Speakers is a collection of 31 stories of migration, from those leaving everything they know behind them, to those working alongside them.
Here are the voices that often go the humans behind the statistics and the headlines. From Syria to Venezuela, Eritrea to Afghanistan, Asylum Speakers will transcend borders, nationalities, religions and languages, connecting you to the people with whom we share this world.
"These stories are raw, powerful, intimate, at times hard to read but always full of humanity. Reading this book gives me hope." - Giles Duley, CEO of Legacy of War Foundation
- GenresNonfiction
224 pages, Hardcover
Published July 18, 2023
7 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 23, 2023
A truly important book for 2023. Every one of these stories could have made a book by themselves. I’ve not heard of the podcast this is drawn from but now I’m interested. I read this as a digital loan from the library but will be buying a hard copy.
4.5/5 stars, because while I appreciate that each speaker only had to go into whatever level of detail they felt comfortable with, I do feel a lot of the stories were condensed for page count and could have been longer.
4.5/5 stars, because while I appreciate that each speaker only had to go into whatever level of detail they felt comfortable with, I do feel a lot of the stories were condensed for page count and could have been longer.
August 24, 2023
Asylum Speakers by Jaz O’Hara gives a voice to so many of the voiceless – voiceless because they are learning new languages and may not be able to communicate, or they weren’t able to complete the journey and thus their stories must live on through others.
This collection of stories provides a portrayal of a community that is judged harshly by most – and gives the bittersweet truth of a path to asylum many would never envision. O’Hara has chosen a wide selection of refugees with a variety of experiences, and I appreciate the way she wove the stories together. There is a heaviness in what is read, however, as the stories unfold, the beauty of triumph and hope seems to overwhelm the sadness and difficulty. There are not always happy endings, but a silver lining of hope shines through. I also enjoyed the highlighted organizations that have assisted the refugees; showcasing the generosity strangers can provide when faced with the need of others in crisis.
I have always found that you cannot change someone’s mind until the issue becomes personal to them. This is a book that will make the refugee crisis real to those who read it. For those who may be concerned about a political leaning one way or another, there really isn’t much of one. Outside of an initial discussion of seeing the rise in negative stories from conservative media as a precursor for wanting to share these stories, O’Hara truly allowed the refugees to share their stories and let their truth be told. I would encourage everyone to read this book (and the others listed at the end). These are stories that need to be remembered.
This collection of stories provides a portrayal of a community that is judged harshly by most – and gives the bittersweet truth of a path to asylum many would never envision. O’Hara has chosen a wide selection of refugees with a variety of experiences, and I appreciate the way she wove the stories together. There is a heaviness in what is read, however, as the stories unfold, the beauty of triumph and hope seems to overwhelm the sadness and difficulty. There are not always happy endings, but a silver lining of hope shines through. I also enjoyed the highlighted organizations that have assisted the refugees; showcasing the generosity strangers can provide when faced with the need of others in crisis.
I have always found that you cannot change someone’s mind until the issue becomes personal to them. This is a book that will make the refugee crisis real to those who read it. For those who may be concerned about a political leaning one way or another, there really isn’t much of one. Outside of an initial discussion of seeing the rise in negative stories from conservative media as a precursor for wanting to share these stories, O’Hara truly allowed the refugees to share their stories and let their truth be told. I would encourage everyone to read this book (and the others listed at the end). These are stories that need to be remembered.
August 1, 2023
READ THIS BOOK!
What a fantastic overview of global human rights!
A touching tribute to so many different heroes that have had to flee their own countries but are committed to making the world safer for others. Jaz O'Hara is the podcast host of Asylum Speakers and this book is a collection of many of the stories of refugees she has interacted with or been inspired by. The book is put together beautifully with multiple pictures of the asylum seekers and sometimes the camps or cities they had to flee. Each story is it's own odyssey. What is most poignant is that all of the interviewees want to return to their war torn countries to help.
I can't say enough about this work of art and look forward to sharing with many many people. Look up the podcast, sign up on the website and purchase this book for yourself or a friend (in my case, my school). Thank you JAZ!
Worldwide Tribe#DK #Asylumspeakers #Jazohara
What a fantastic overview of global human rights!
A touching tribute to so many different heroes that have had to flee their own countries but are committed to making the world safer for others. Jaz O'Hara is the podcast host of Asylum Speakers and this book is a collection of many of the stories of refugees she has interacted with or been inspired by. The book is put together beautifully with multiple pictures of the asylum seekers and sometimes the camps or cities they had to flee. Each story is it's own odyssey. What is most poignant is that all of the interviewees want to return to their war torn countries to help.
I can't say enough about this work of art and look forward to sharing with many many people. Look up the podcast, sign up on the website and purchase this book for yourself or a friend (in my case, my school). Thank you JAZ!
Worldwide Tribe#DK #Asylumspeakers #Jazohara
July 19, 2023
Such an important book. This book should be a part of school curriculum. In a World where the media attempts to continuously dehumanise refugees, this book helps to completely change the narrative, to show the reality. Each and every story in this book is heartbreaking. It reminds me how lucky we are to have the life we have. Not growing up in a war zone, not fearing for the lives of our loved or, having access to education, healthcare, food etc. It also taught me so much about things I didn’t know as much about like what is happening in Venezuela and Myanmar. I only wish some of the stories went into more depth because I became so invested in their lives I just wanted to know more.
September 14, 2023
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. I do not have much personal experience with refugees other than some of the students who come through my classes. Some of the families I work with, I have heard a lot of their story, but others, I just know that they have moved from places that had conflict. I learned a lot from reading the personal stories in this book. It definitely sparked my interest in possibly volunteering somewhere to learn more where to get more involved in general.
October 9, 2025
Incredible book, filled with stories that highlight and center refugees and asylum seekers and their families throughout the world as well as the people working to ameliorate the crisis. Each stories showcases a different aspect of the conflicts that people are escaping as well as highlighting issues that people are facing in their journeys to safety, helping us to understand why people may take certain risks or make certain choices.
September 24, 2023
Important read for everyone. Too many people believe the media narrative, this book gives you the stories of those that have lived the experience. Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. We should be doing more to help not treating humans fleeing persecution, war, trauma like criminals or political pawns. Open our hearts and our borders.
September 26, 2024
Jaz O’Hara tells these individuals’ own accounts of becoming displaced and what led to this, the treacherous journeys they made to get to ‘safety’, the challenges they may face now and missing their own friends, families and homes with such empathy. I cannot recommend reading this book enough, it is thought provoking and should be a must read for all politicians!
September 30, 2024
Ein so wichtiges Werk! Ich hoffe, es wird von vielen Menschen gelesen und die Stimmen darin noch sichtbarer gemacht! Jede einzelne Person hat einen so wichtigen Beitrag geleistet, aus welchem Mut und Hoffnung spricht!
December 16, 2025
Audiobook - actually listened to on the way to and from volunteering in Calais.
Such a powerful read, bringing humanity to the fore of everything. Should be read by all - the world would be a kinder place.
Such a powerful read, bringing humanity to the fore of everything. Should be read by all - the world would be a kinder place.
July 19, 2023
A must read🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
February 12, 2024
What an incredible book. Every story moved me. I wish this could be made compulsory reading for everyone.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews