Between Two Worlds: Escape from Tyranny: Growing up in the Shadow of Saddam

by Zainab Salbi

Hardcover, 2005

Status

Available

Genres

Publication

Penguin Group USA (2005), Edition: Second Printing, 295 pages

Description

Zainab Salbi was eleven years old when her father was chosen to serve as Saddam Hussein's personal pilot, her family often forced to spend weekends with Saddam. As a palace insider, she offers a glimpse of life under a dictator and provides an intimate portrait of the man she was taught to call "uncle". She was asked to erase her memory as she heard of crimes she was not supposed to hear of, and witnessed her mother hiding her tears lest it upset Saddam. Her mother eventually sent her to America for an arranged marriage, to spare her from Saddam's affection, but the marriage turned out to be another world of tyranny and abuse. Despite extraordinary challenges, she started over as a champion of female victims of war, dedicating her life to speaking out on behalf of oppressed women around the world. But until now, she has never told her personal tale.--From publisher description.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member raxxq

I devoured this book. Zainab's story is so compelling, and the mission that she's taken from her experiences give me faith in humanity.

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LibraryThing member bakersfieldbarbara

An excellent book and easy reading. A good insight to understand more of Iraq and Saddam Hussein. The author's father was the pilot for Hussein, so there are many family life stories told about his visits to their home. More can be learned from this memoir than all of the newscasts. .

LibraryThing member ammurphy

Memoir of a woman whose family was close to Saddam Hussein and in terror of crossing him. She ultimately moved to the US and founded an organization for the support of women who are victims of abuse. Some characters in her story reminded me of those in "The House of Sand and Fog."

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