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Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

Nicholas D. Kristof,

Sheryl WuDunn

Start date: January 1, 2017

Finish date: January 31, 2017

Discussion: Monthly Bonus Reads

Why we're reading this: January's Bonus Read theme/topic is Human Trafficking.…more
[close] January's Bonus Read theme/topic is Human Trafficking.

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What Members Thought

Oct 06, 2012 Booknblues rated it it was amazing

Shelves: africa

Half the Sky
by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
5 stars
pp. 296

After reading numerous reviews of Half the Sky , having many friends who insisted that I read it and have it languish on my wish list, I decided it was past time when I should make the investment of time and money and read the book, which had been causing such a stir. I chose my time fortuitously as, the documentary was airing on PBS as I was finishing the book.

Half the Sky deals with many human rights issues which effect the hea ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

May 24, 2017 Meg - A Bookish Affair rated it really liked it

Shelves: non-fiction

"Half the Sky" is an important look at how what policies and aid we provide other countries as a government can help women. In many countries, women still struggle more than their male counterparts. Their choices are limited and the roads to advancing their lives and the lives of their family are limited. This is a huge humanitarian issue and I appreciated the light that the authors were able to shed on this very important subject!

Drawing largely on anecdotes from many different countries, this ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Oct 11, 2012 JanB rated it liked it

Shelves: book-club

I appreciated the information but it was overly long.

3 likes · Like · see review

Nov 13, 2016 Paula S rated it liked it · review of another edition

I can't say I enjoyed reading a book about all the human-rights violations against women worldwide. I was fairly well-informed before I started reading this book, so it wasn't as chocking as it might otherwise have been, but only the fact that most of the women interviewed had improved their lives, showing that it's possible to successfully combat repression and abuse, kept the book from being too horrifying and bleak. It is a call to arms and although the book is slightly dated I'm very much af ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Nov 27, 2016 eHawk rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ladies-of-strength, nonfiction

There is an amazing amount of inspiration and calls to action in this book in manageable ways. There is also a lot of harrowing difficult stories here to illustrate the plight of women around the world. Essentially this book needs to come with every trigger warning imagineable regarding violence against women. For me, the variety of ways in which people have handled and worked out of their situation or worked to help others was inspiring enough to be worth the hurt and tears.

1 like · Like · see review

Dec 13, 2016 Laura rated it really liked it

Everyone has probably heard of sex trafficking and violence against women. If you read this book, you'll realize it's all so much worse than you thought. But, it's not just a gloom and doom book. The book is also filled with stories of hope. The authors really believe something can be done about all these terrible things and each of us can play a part.

The book is well written and well researched, lots of stories, very engaging. They're really honest about how difficult humanitarian efforts are. ...more

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Jan 01, 2015 Judy Lindow marked it as to-read

Shelves: adult-non-fiction

It's been years since I saw this movie and read the book (although don't know if I read the book all the way through). I didn't review like I normally do - I used the review space to take notes on some of the issues that struck me as especially important. I am saddened to see that there are women out there giving the book 1 star. Many of their reasons seem self righteous, holier than thou, and accusatory (especially of western entitlement, etc.). I can only say: where are the books, the news sto ...more

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Oct 23, 2013 Jan Deelstra rated it it was amazing

Shelves: nonfiction

Brutal, and anger-inspiring, this book is a horrific call to action, especially for women and for those who love women. No spoilers here, just a reality check of how far the human species still has to travel. Shame on us.

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