Barefoot in Baghdad: A Story of IdentityMy Own and What It Means to Be a Woman in Chaos
Publishing Details
Barefoot in Baghdad: A Story of IdentityMy Own and What It Means to Be a Woman in Chaos
By (Author) Manal Omar
Sourcebooks, Inc
Sourcebooks, Inc
1st August 2010
United States
Classifications
General
Non Fiction
Gender studies: women and girls
956.70443092
Physical Properties
272
Width 152mm, Height 229mm
Description
As an American aid worker of Arab descent, Manal Omar's background gave her an all-access pass to the dramatic shift in the fortunes of Iraq's women following the invasion in 2003, which destroyed hopes for a more liberated lifestyle. Witness to a struggle that few outsiders saw, Omar chronicles the journey of the people determined to rise from the ashes of war and sanctions and recreate themselves in the face of overwhelming obstacles. This is the story of her friendships with those whose lives were crumbling before her eyes. It is a tale of love, as her relationship with one Iraqi man intensified in a country in turmoil. And it is the stories of the women of Iraq, as they grapple with what it means to be female in a homeland you no longer recognize.
Reviews
"You may not be able to lay Barefoot in Baghdad down for a while. This book will capture your interest." - South by Southwest
"Giving both an insider's and an outsider's view of the unfolding drama of Iraq, the memoir should prove worthwhile reading for anyone who has a keen interest in developments in the Middle East." - Book Pleasures
"Omar provides a rare glimpse into facets of Iraqi life not often described in American newspapers and magazines as she describes not only the dangers but also the joys, small and great." - Booklist
"We gain a picture of Baghdad beyond the Green Zone and through the eyes of a bright, young, idealistic humanitarian." - A Traveler's Library
"A must read." - East County Magazine
Author Bio
Manal Omar (D.C.) has worked with Women for Women International, a nonprofit NGO, as Regional Coordinator for Afghanistan, Iraq, and Sudan. Formerly a journalist, she began work in Iraq in 1997 and 1998 for UNESCO, and worked for OxFam in the Middle East. Currently, she is the Program Officer for the Iraq Grants Program with the United States Institute of Peace, based in Washington, D.C.
