Customer Reviews

Iran Awakening: One Woman's Journey to Reclaim Her Life and Country

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Ms. Ebadi crafts a compelling autobiography that draws the reader in like a novel. She brings us into the center of her experiences without crowing or being sanctimonious. In telling her own story, she also manages, in a fairly short book to present what I think is an objective history of Iran starting just prior to the 1953 coup and ending at the present.

This is the best and the most honest version of the modern history of my country from the eyes of a brave educated woman who is not afraid to fight for what every one else is afraid to whisper. In her memoir, she does not leave out any detail of the atmosphere governing Iran. Living in the circumstances she describes in the book, I genuinely respect her for who she is. She is an icon every woman can look up to and That is why she is a Nobel prize winner. She has a story telling gift, making the book absolutely attractive and easy to follow. This book is a must read; she risked her life writing it and it needs audience: Iranian women and children need Shirin Ebadi and people who think like her. This is an outstanding book, unforgettable.

This is probably the best book that I have read this year. Shirin Ebadi tells of her brave defense of human rights in post-revoluationary Iran. Although she is a widely respected, famous Noble Peace Prize winner, she shows humility throughout. I also enjoyed reading her opinions on Iranian leaders, past and present. Highly recommended!

An excellent and honest if horrifying picture of today's Iran. I found Ms. Ebadi's book as fascinating as Hillary Clinton's. An extremely smart and brave woman, Ms. Ebadi clearly loves her country and is ready to sacrifice her life for Iran. I was happy to read about the few improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens as well as changes in women's education in the Islamic republic, but it pained me to read about the human rights violations, the killings, and the tortures used by the mullahs on their own people. I spent 7 years in Iran before, during and after the revolution and left when Iraq threatened to bobmb Tehran. I loved Iran, its ancient history, beautiful poetry, and lovely countryside. But most of all I loved its friendly, hospitable, and talented people and to read that the nation's suffering wasn't over was very hard for me. However, it made me happy and proud to know that Iran, once more, produced a gem, and this time it was a woman, who despite the terror of the Islamic republic was
able to make her voice heard in the world and received a Nobel price!

A woman of faith and conviction, with a stubborn determination to adhere to her principles of justice and fairness, Shirin Ebadi sets forth a boldly narrated memoir. Bold in blatantly ignoring likely repercussions by her enemies and their threats of assassination.

Beginning with her childhood years during the reign and fall of Mohammad Mossadegh - Prime Minister of Iran, 1951 to 1953 - Ebadi recounts her life primarily in relation to the various changes in the Iranian political scene, from the once powerful, then deposed, Shahs of Iran, to the suppressing reign of the Ayatollah Khomeini and the Islamic Revolution in 1979, and finally to the democratic leader, Mohammad Khatami, who was elected president in 1957 and again in 2001.

Ebadi, brilliant, and a self described intellectual, studied law and practiced as a judge during a more politically lenient period of Iran's history. Under the Ayatollah Khomeini, a female judge was relegated to menial clerk positions, power removed. Ebadi never faltered in her fight to attain and maintain justice for all who were oppressed or unjustly accused, male or female, not even during her brief period of imprisonment.

Although Ebadi notes in her epilogue that "it is not a political memoir," one can hardly separate her life, after reading the memoir, from politics - politics not only in Iran but politics world wide as it affects Iran and its people. She has not, as she said, "attempted to offer a political analysis of how and why certain events came to pass," but through mere "factual" statements, one can detect a political intent or meaning. And what does one make of these, her words: "Now you are watching faded video footage of Donald Rumsfeld shaking Saddam Hussein's hand, smiling at the butcher who made our capital's cemetery a city. Now you are listening to President George W. Bush promise he wants to bring democracy to the Middle East. You are hearing him address the Iranian people in his State of Union address, telling them that if they stand for their own liberty, America will stand with them. Do you believe him?" Such questions, by their provocative nature, may be as overtly political as any blanket assessment. But at least it provokes thought.

The ending chapter of the memoir is devoted to the highest honor achieved by Ebadi - the touted Nobel Peace Prize. Many Nobel Peace Prize choices are steeped in controversy and dissenting opinions. Ebadi's case is no different. Regardless, there is no doubt about the positive elements of Ebadi's moral convictions, and of the sincerity and strength of her aggressive actions in her pursuit of justice for all. If those are the prerequisites for a Nobel Peace Laureate, then justice is served here, too.

This book does a good job of letting the reader "behind the scenes", from a women's prespective, as Iran transitions from the Shah to cleric rule. In addition, it discusses the struggles of daily life for Iranian citizens. Anyone interested in view not generally seen in Western news, would enjoy this book. The author is a Noble Peace Prize winner who has since been forced out of Iran and is living in Canada. I throughly enjoyed this book.

This is one of my most favorite books. I devoured it. I could not wait to find a moment to read it and then read it well past my bed time. The story line is of the life of an ambitious and thoughtful woman in Iran - starting in her youth during the Shah's reign, then a young professional during the revolution of 1978 and finally as a courageous adult raising her family and pursuing her commitment to justice as a lawyer in contemporary times. But the novel, which is very well written, covers so much more ground. Ebadi's reflections on life and human nature and politics and the plight of the poor and Shia Islam and its many interpretations, the Iran-Iraq war, courage, faith, her struggle against the trend to leave Iran, are just so provocative. I learned so much and was so moved and captivated by her story telling ability. I wish that all Americans could read this book so that they would have a window into the real life of Iran, the joys and the struggles, as well as a better idea of the history - especially pre-1978. My hope is that if more americans understand the subversive role that the united states played in Iran - as well as in many other countries - in the 50s, 60s and 70s we would have a better understanding of our brothers and sisters there. While I think Ebadi's book shares my desire to enlighten western readers this is just one of the many points she makes. All together, it is a wonderful book!!!

I had reached out to an Iranian contact here in US who teaches at a University in Virginia and she recommened this book to me. It is the BEST!!! And I love this woman...she would be a great leader for Iran!!! I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about Iran especially with what is going on there. #iranelection #iran.....FREE IRAN

This was a very honest and insightful view into the hope and horrors of the people of Iran, as they transitioned from a dictatorial Shah to a dictatoral Cleric form of government. In the end, it's the people who suffer. Shirin Ebadi's story is very compelling. The book is a quick read (219 pages) that leaves a lasting imprint.

This has to be one of the worst books I have ever read. I could barley make it through the 2nd chapter. Not even my friend who is an English professor liked it. Long chapters, and uninteresting story line.