Mayada, Daughter of Iraq: One Woman's Survival Under Saddam Hussein

by Jean Sasson and Jean P. Sasson

Book Overview

"Sasson's candid, straightforward account...gives readers a glimpse of the cruelty and hardship endured by generations of Iraqis."--Publishers Weekly A member of one of the most distinguished and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0525948112
• ISBN13: 9780525948117
• Release Date: October 2003
• Publisher: Dutton Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Super interesante, muy descriptiva.. mucha pasion!!! Love it!!!

Excelente relato, interesante historia, personajes increiblemente fuertes y sentimentales... Te permite entender un poco lo que ha vivido Irak... ser un poco mas compasivos... Me encantaaa!!!!

"Frequent Reference to GW?" HOGWASH!

When glancing over the various comments, I can't help but be startled at Sean 44 stating "Freqent reference to GW goal of liberation Iraq was annoying." That's a very misleading and even untrue statement Sean. Other than the last few pages of the book, the entire book is set several years before the 2003 invasion to topple Saddam. Not a word of "liberation" is mentioned because no one even knew such a thing would happen in 1999 when Mayada was imprisoned and later fled her country. The last few pages of the book deal with Mayada's reaction to Saddam being toppled, and her glee that happened and her happiness that SOMEBODY got rid of Saddam. She wouldn't have cared if it were the French, the English, or even a coup in the country, she lived in Iraq for her entire life and saw what his rule had done for her country and countrymen... She simply wanted him GONE... Although everyone is disappointed in the turn of events and the ongoing violence, few would want Saddam back. There were too many people who suffered dreadfully under Saddam, and if they lived there, they are the ones who have the rights to express an opinion on Saddam. So, don't write such misleading statements. One would think the book was filled with GW topics, but that is NOT the case. It is a book about some very brave women who suffered horribly in Cell 52. If you don't like the book, then that is just fine, as everyone has a right to their opinion, but to say something completely false for the obvious purpose to mislead other readers, that is not your right. And, I should know that the book does NOT have "frequent reference to GW goal of liberating Iraq," because I am the one who wrote the book! Those feelings shared by Mayada are only in the very last few pages of the book, and she certainly had a right to express her opinion in a book written about her! And I'm giving the book 5 stars because of the brave women I wrote about... They all deserve 5 stars for courage!

One of the Best Books I Have Ever Read

For anyone who ever questioned or were against the removing of Saddam Hussein from power needs to read this book immediately. This is especially true for any of you human rights activists who are against Operation Iraqi Freedom. This book thouroughly details the story of a young, divorced mother who was making a nice life for herself, despite the brutal ecomnomic embargo placed on that country due to Saddam's actions, only to have her place of business trashed by Saddam's henchmen in an effort to try and find "evidence" of someone writing up anti-government flyers. Despite not finding anything of this sort, Mayada (the main character in this story, whose family is famous and very well known throughout the Arab world) was arrested anyway and was thrown into one of Saddam's infamous prisons. She was locked in a small cell with 17 other women. From there the book details these brave women's (and also goes into the men's suffering as well) coping with the stress of prison life in Saddam Hussein's Iraq. The book goes into the horrendous torture methods used upon these people and the aftermath of their torture; the squalid conditions of prison life over there; the cries of wanting to see their families again, but knowing they may never see them again; and their battle to keep each other's spirits up despite the brutal conditions.This book goes into such detail that I could almost feel the soles of my own bare feet being caned until the bottoms of my feet were so scarred that I would not be able to walk.What also is interesting here is the very minor "offenses" these poor people committed to get themselves in this position. They were imprisoned for everything from hearing anti-government statements to flat out false accusations.This book is an absolute must read for it will permanently show you just how satanic Saddam Hussein and his horrible regeime really were and why on the human rights violations alone (never mind the WMD issue and his long support for terrorism) were more than enough to justify a war to remove him from power. No one deserves to live like that under constant fear.Do yourself a favor and read this book it is well worth the time, especially with everything going on in Iraq right now.

Jean Sasson is a genius

I purchased this book as soon as it was published because I have read the Princess books by Jean Sasson and already knew that she was an editorial genius. The book is about the title-character, Mayada. She came from a prominent Iraqi family. Mayada owned and managed a printing shop. And under the harsh rule of Saddam Hussein she was accused of breaking the law and thrown in jail. Mayada's basic human rights were violated while she was in jail. She met several women in her jail cell, the shadow women as they are called. The shadow women are all so brave and harrowing. Each shadow women has her own story of despair; one worse than the next. The fate of the shadow women is unknown, but if you read this book you will find out what happens to Mayada. Mayada is probably Ms. Sasson's best work to date. It is thought-provoking, intense and written in great detail. I hope that Ms. Sasson will write a follow-up story to Mayada.

Thank you for visiting West Point

I am a cadet that was in the audience when Jean and Mayada spoke at West Point last week. Even though we have precious little time for personal reading, I read the story of Mayada that was signed and given to me after the talk. I inhaled it!A soldier's job is not to question the wisdom of the use of force, but Mayada definitely made all of us feel quite proud to know that many of our academy forbears partook in such a heroic accomplishment to free a country's people from their cruel leader. The people of Iraq are extremely grateful.I recommend this book for all soldiers - those who have served in Iraq and those who have not - and all future soldiers who may still be comtemplating their decision to join.