The Opposition…

Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

Nicholas D. Kristof,

Sheryl WuDunn

Discussion: 2009-Jul-Aug-Sep

Why we're reading this: The Colbert Report - September 28, 2009
The Daily Show - mentioned by guest Olivia Wilde (PBS documentary)…more
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2009-Jul-Aug-Sep

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* September 2009
By Tiffany , WristStrong · 1 post · 4 views

last updated Nov 29, 2010 12:28AM

* August 2009
By Tiffany , WristStrong · 1 post · 5 views

last updated Nov 29, 2010 12:19AM

What Members Thought

Feb 05, 2014 Kathrina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ic-book-group

Riveting, relevant, and possibly life-changing.

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Apr 29, 2011 Jack rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction

Phenomenal. A bit light on supporting evidence, but powerful anecdotes and helpful discussions of evidence that supports Kristof's and WuDunn's points. The subtitle of this book, as I have mentioned with a few other titles, should be "and if you think your day in America was tough, or you think the grand ol' USA is too mean, unfair, or inconsiderate, shut the hell up!" Probably not a great subtitle, but it would accurately reflect an important point in this book: so many people suffer around the ...more

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Jun 03, 2011 Carolyn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Women facing poverty, oppression, and violence are usually viewed as victims. When we hear their stories, which is rare, we pity them for the terrible way they are forced to live. But Nicholas D. Kristoff and Sheryl WuDunn show that sometimes these unimaginable challenges and unendurable pain or often met with strength and courage. The women featured in Half the Sky could give up hope and resign themselves to their sorrow, but they never do. This book highlights the potential of a person’s life Women facing poverty, oppression, and violence are usually viewed as victims. When we hear their stories, which is rare, we pity them for the terrible way they are forced to live. But Nicholas D. Kristoff and Sheryl WuDunn show that sometimes these unimaginable challenges and unendurable pain or often met with strength and courage. The women featured in Half the Sky could give up hope and resign themselves to their sorrow, but they never do. This book highlights the potential of a person’s life and shines a light on the brave women determined to cultivate a bright future.

The stories I read about what these women went through, some trafficked into forced prostitution, some beaten by their husbands and mothers-in-law and many who are denied education are heartbreaking.But most of the stories in the book are those of triumph. They write about Cambodian girls who managed to escape the sex trade to open businesses and support their families about the microfinancing that is allowing some women to own prosperous businesses and about women like Edna Adan, who opened a hospital especially for women in Somaliland. Of course, not all of the stories are upbeat. Some of the girls who managed to escape their brothel ended up returning because they were heavily addicted to drugs. And still women are so undervalued in some societies that even their doctors don’t care if they live or die. But the authors are just trying to express that an individual still has worth and even the smallest, most unassuming soul has the potential to change her life or even her communities.

At the end of the book and on their website, they provide the names of charities dedicated to supporting women in developing countries (http://www.halftheskymovement.org/get...). These women have the capacity to enrich their lives and we can help.

I’m sorry this Cannonball review sounds more like a pledge drive than an actual review. But that is the power of Half the Sky; they encourage you to think that you really can make a difference and help people. Everyone should read this ultimately inspiring book, if only to learn about women who are so often ignored.
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Jan 14, 2014 Letitia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: book-club-suggestions, human-rights

This is a very readable, although dense look at the global situation of women and women's rights. Kristof and WuDunn handle four basic areas in depth: trafficking, maternal health, girls' education, and gender-based violence.

It was pointed out in our book club that this book doesn't really present anything NEW, which is true. They have compiled the best studies, as well as loads of personal interviews and case studies, and all this information is out there. However, I still highly recommend this ...more

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