Price of Honor: Muslim Women Lift the Veil of Silence on the Islamic World, Newly updated

The Price of Honor is a journey through ten years of research on the life of Muslim women in ten different Middle Eastern countries.
Jan Goodwin puts forth a very well written and well researched book, that has helped me gain some understanding of the culture of Muslim women under extremist Islamic rule.
One can't help but feel the pain and misery that these women live and experience in today's day and age.
This book may not speak for every Muslim woman, however, the fact still stands that most Americans treat their dogs better than women are treated under extreme Islamic rule.
Great and thought provoking book!

This is one of the most informative and interesting books I have read in quite awhile. Jan Goodwin provides an excellent examination of both Islam and Islamists -- not always the same thing, especially in today's world. The first chapter has an understandable recreation of the birth of Islam, and how its prophet, Mohammed, viewed women. This beginning is severely contrasted with the ways in which many Muslim countries treat and sometimes oppress women -- all the while, stating that the Koran allows this behavior. Through interviewing women from several Muslim countries -- Afganistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Iran, Iraq and others -- Goodwin presents a disturbing picture of how women are depicted and controlled, despite the freedoms guaranteed to them by Islam. There are several surprises: who would have thought that women have more freedom (comparatively) in Iran than in Pakistan, which had a female prime minister, Benazir Bhutto? That women raped in many Muslim countries are blamed and shamed, perhaps even killed by relatives, even if the rape occurred due to home invasion? And that 'hymen restoration surgery' is offered in some countries where if a bride is not a virgin on her wedding night, she will be killed. These examples are just the beginning of an in-depth look Muslim women. Of course, not every situation is negative. Many women have a good sense of what Islam really says about their rights; also, there is a good sense that, as in all religion, the extremists may get the press, but the average believer knows the truth of their beliefs and the rights for both men and women. I have recommended this book to several of my classes as a place to begin studying the background for world events.

Jan Goodwin did something very difficult with this book. She is extremely fair and does an admirable job of not coloring the taste of this book with her own opinions. She cannot be accused of being judgmental. Goodwin did not write this book after only reading books or watching documentaries on the Middle East. She visited each country and talked personally with people there, whether they be private citizens, justices, queens, or those hunted by religous zealots. What disturbs me is other reviewers maligning America and American movies, yet not hesitating to be hypocritical when they themselves live in America. I guess it is alright to make harsh comments about the U.S. even though they derive benefits by living there. But at least America treasures real free speech and allows such comments to be made without the threat of a fatwa or at least a lengthy imprisonment. And that is what makes America a democracy: Goodwin can write this book, people can trash not just the book, but also America, and America will protect the rights of all concerned.

I loved this book, despite the fact that some sections are extremely sad. It's a powerful, riveting read, and extremely well researched. The author engages the reader in way you feel as if you are right there yourself talking to these women. It was obvious that Goodwin was able to develop a great deal of trust and rapport with the women she interviewed. I was also impressed at the variety of people she spoke with in countries that frequently have strict censorship. The book includes interviews with educated elite women to the impoverished illiterate, from conservative to liberal Muslims, and the author didn't just confine herself to the Arab Muslim world, but included non Arab-Muslim countries.

Having read the original version of the book, I still found it extremely helpful to go back and read the updated version, which has just come out, especially in light of 9/11, and the recent U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Price of Honor raised my awareness and understanding significantly of a part of the world we in the U.S. tend not to know a great deal about.

Equally important is the fact that the author is very respectful of Islam. I now understand why their faith is so important to Muslims, and just how integrated it is in their every day life and politics.

The book is an astounding tour of a large swathe of the Muslim world; the comparison within and between and among the different countries was fascinating. I highly recommend Price of Honor.

I am not sure, however, why Amazon continues to promote the older version of the book, while making potential customers search for the recently updated version.

I almost want to talk with some of these reviewers after reading this book. My Husband has travelled throughout the Midle east and said that much of the book is true. I am a Muslim and would like to first say that Islam as revealed through the Quran and Prophet Muhammad is very different from what is practiced throughout most of the world. Ms.Goodwin was just offering insight she moved me with her vividly written illustations. For all who are LOL you do not live it. I have met some people who live it right here in America. The overall message I think that she is saying is that women are being oppressed because men want power and they are able to exercise power over women in forms that are abusive and it is accepted because it is masked as religion. THIS IS NOT WHAT THE QURAN TEACHES. This book made me want to do something. After starting my family and being an at home Mom for seven years(my choice) I am applying to Law School to try to help women here and abroad. I left this book Knowing that I am Blessed because both my husband and I are Muslim and realize that the cultural aspects of the regions is not Islam or what is revealed in Quran. She points out the irony of what the leaders present and what the practices are. She shows the reality of many women's lives I was move to tears and then to action. This book change my outlook on life not Islam. My best advice is read the book then read the Quran Ahmed Ali has agood translation available at Amazon.com