Saved by Her Enemy: An Iraqi woman's journey from the heart of war to the heartland of America [Hardcover]

Don Teague (Author), Rafraf Barrak (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2, 2010

For her entire life, Rafraf, a devout Muslim, had been told that Americans were the enemy. Her understanding of the world, of her place in it, and of the United States had been steeped in the culture of Iraq under the rule of Saddam Hussein. Yet, in the midst of insurgents attempting to kidnap and kill her, she found herself on the receiving end of lifesaving help from those she considered her enemies.Rafraf suddenly finds herself living with a Christian family in the Bible Belt of America. Nothing had prepared her for this new reality—the life of a college student in a vastly foreign culture, in a community as far from her expectations as she could have imagined, and in a family that opens their hearts to enfold her.Saved by Her Enemy is a riveting journey of two very different people from opposite sides of the world, of faith, of experience, and of expectations. The dramatic intersection of their lives and their journey together is an inspiration to those who have ever felt there was more to life than the world they knew. A young Iraqi woman, an American war correspondent, and a true tale of friendship, faith, and family against the backdrop of war and the collision of culturesThis is a story of a very unlikely friendship—between American war correspondent Don Teague and Rafraf Barrak, an Iraqi college girl who won a job as a translator for NBC during the early months of violence in the wake of the American invasion of Iraq.While covering a story together, the two were nearly killed by a bomb, an experience that created a bond between them that led them down a path neither could have imagined.What follows is a story of transformation, as Rafraf—from a devout Muslim family—becomes the target of terrorist threats to kidnap and murder her. Don and his fellow correspondents mobilize to help save her life and suddenly Rafraf finds herself on the receiving end of an offer for safety and a new life in the United States. Dramatically transplanted from the streets of Iraq to the Bible Belt of middle America, Rafraf finds everything that she knew—or thought she knew—about herself, her values, her world, even faith and family, turned upside down. Meanwhile, Don; his wife, Kiki; and their children discover they’ve embarked on an adventure with Rafraf that reshapes their lives. This captivating story inspires us all to join Don and Rafraf in discovering that there is far more to life than the world we know.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Don Teague is currently a correspondent for Early Show and CBS Evening News.  Prior to that, he served NBC News as a correspondent for NBC News as a correspondent and has covered a wide range of stories, from Hurricanes along the Gulf coast, to wildfires in Southern California, riots across France, and the war in Iraq. Teague won an Emmy Award for his reporting from New Orleans in the chaotic aftermath of hurricane Katrina. His contributions to NBC’s Katrina coverage also earned the prestigious Peabody and Edward R. Murrow awards. Teague has received other awards, including several national Emmy nominations, three Edward R. Murrow awards, two National Headliner awards, two regional Emmys, seventeen regional Emmy nominations, and several Associated Press Broadcasters awards.

Rafraf Barrak was born into a Shiite Muslim family in Baghdad, Iraq. As a student at Baghdad University, she had pursued a degree in English Literature until the University was closed due to war. Her knowledge of the city of Baghdad and her skills in English won her a job as a translator for NBC war correspondents. She is now a student in the United States and lives with the Teague family in Texas.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

PROLOGUE

EYE CONTACT

Ibrahim looked at me through the rearview mirror. We both expected a burst of gunfire to riddle the beat-up Suburban at any second, but it never came. Instead there was a moment of eerie silence as our SUV careened down the dirt road… trying to put as much distance between us and the school as possible. Our army convoy had left us to fend for ourselves; the protection of their turret-mounted machine guns was nowhere in sight.

How many were dead? We had no idea, but seconds before the explosion, the street had been filled with children. Now there was only chaos and rage. We were completely unable to defend ourselves, two SUVs carrying a half dozen frightened journalists and our British security adviser, Rupert.

Young Iraqi men lined the road, some running toward the still smoking aftermath of the blast, some watching us race away in stunned silence, others shouting and raising their fists in anger.

Rupert rode shotgun. His pistol would be worthless in the expected ambush. It never left his holster.

“They bombed the bloody school,” Rupert shouted into a handheld radio. “Repeat! They bombed the school!”

There was no answer.

“Don’t slow down,” I told Ibrahim, “no matter what.”

“Go!”

The Iraqi driver floored the accelerator.

The Suburban bounced and bucked as our makeshift convoy roared down the dirt road past the squatty concrete homes that dotted the landscape of western Baghdad. The residents knew enough to stay inside; the roads were empty save for a few stray dogs and goats.

Somewhere ahead was a left turn that would lead us to a busy road. The risk of ambush would be smaller if we could just make that road, but our chances of getting there seemed remote. We managed to put half a mile between the school and us, but none of us could relax. Not yet.

In recent weeks, insurgents had modified their tactics. No longer content with simply bombing foreigners, they had begun ambushing survivors with AK-47s as they tried to run. And we were running for our lives. Our unarmored vehicles would be no match for bullets, much less another bomb.

I turned and looked out the back window. The school was receding into the distance, the crowd outside still visible even through the dust cloud left hanging in the air by our racing convoy.

For the first time in the last—what had it been, three minutes?—I caught my breath, the adrenaline replaced by a sudden wave of nausea. I recognized the feeling from the last time I was almost killed; it would pass. That’s when I noticed Ibrahim, looking at me in the rearview mirror. He was telling me something with his eyes.

I suddenly became acutely aware of Rafraf. She was sitting on my right, closest to the door. But she wasn’t sitting as much as lying down half across my body. She seemed tiny and frail, even wrapped in what was supposed to be my body armor. I could feel her body rise and fall with each breath. I could feel her tears on my arm.

And there was Ibrahim again, looking at me in the rearview mirror.

Rafraf was twenty-three years old. She should have been in school, but Baghdad University had been closed for more than a year. So instead of enjoying her last semester as a college student, Rafraf was putting her English skills to work doing the most dangerous job in the most dangerous city on earth. She was working as a translator for NBC News, which currently meant trying to survive the ride back to our hotel.

“What about all the children?” she asked, her voice barely above a whimper. “There were children everywhere. Don’t they care?”

“Maybe the children knew in advance,” I said. “Maybe they had warning. I didn’t see any bodies.” It was the most I could offer, but I wasn’t convinced.

Rafraf sobbed, “There were so many children.” I felt her body shudder.

I squeezed her hand, and for the first time realized I was holding her hand, my right arm draped around her for protection. I loosened my grip to allow her to sit up, but she didn’t move. I became aware of the scarf that covered her head and most of her face, aware, in fact, of all that meant.

Rafraf was a Muslim woman in a culture that demanded separation between men and women. In the weeks I had worked with Rafraf I had never actually touched her… not even a handshake. Now here I was with my arm wrapped around her body.

Ibrahim spoke little English, but in this case he didn’t have to. He had been sending me a message with his eyes… perhaps a warning: RAFRAF IS ONE OF US, NOT ONE OF YOU. DON’T TOUCH OUR WOMEN.

I gently nudged Rafraf back to her upright position and let her go.

“It’ll be okay,” I said weakly. But I knew it wouldn’t. I also knew deep down this wouldn’t be the last time I tried to save Rafraf.

© 2010 Don Teague

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Howard Books; 1St Edition edition (March 2, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439159106
• ISBN-13: 978-1439159101
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #294,875 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Don Teague is an Emmy Award winning journalist and author. He is currently a correspondent for CBS News, appearing regularly on The CBS Evening News, The Early Show, and Sunday Morning.

Don worked as an NBC News correspondent from 2002 until 2009. While working for NBC News, he covered stories as varied as the war in Iraq, hurricane Katrina, and the seizure of children from a polygamist ranch in Texas.

Since joining CBS News in 2009, Don has covered major stories including the mass shooting of soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas.

Don has extensive military experience, having served as a Captain in the Army Reserve and National Guard and logging nearly thousand hours of military and civilian helicopter pilot time.

He holds a Master of Science in international studies from Troy State University and a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism from San Diego State University.

Don lives in Texas with his wife Kiki, two teenaged daughters, four horses, three dogs, and a donkey.

His first book, Saved By Her Enemy, will be published by Simon and Schuster/Howard Books in March, 2010.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding and Compelling Book! A Must Read!, February 26, 2010

By 

J. Tomlinson (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Saved by Her Enemy: An Iraqi woman's journey from the heart of war to the heartland of America (Hardcover)

I was fortunate enough to read a pre-released copy of this book. Authors Don Teague and Rafraf Barrak write a compelling and moving story that transcends all cultural and political boundaries. This book is important and timely to the world in which we are now living. The book made me cry and also laugh out loud as I was reminded that no matter who we are or where we are, we are called to love.


Janee Tomlinson

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing and Uplifting Journey!, March 1, 2010

By 

Andrea Schultz "Ponderings by Andrea" (Detroit MI area) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Saved by Her Enemy: An Iraqi woman's journey from the heart of war to the heartland of America (Hardcover)

If you have been a viewer of network news over the past decade, you are more than likely familiar with the reporting of Don Teague ([...]). He is currently a correspondent for CBS News, and appears regularly on the `CBS Evening News with Katie Couric,' `The Early Show,' and `Sunday Morning'; prior to that network, he was employed by NBC, and appeared regularly on the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams (and Mr. Williams' predecessor, Tom Brokaw), the Today Show, and NBC's cable news network, MSNBC.

Don Teague is the coauthor, with Rafraf Barrak, of the new release, `Saved by Her Enemy: An Iraqi's Woman's Journey From the Heart of War to the Heartland of America.' This interesting book tells the amazing story of Ms. Barrak, who was born in Baghdad, Iraq. She was the fifth child in a family that would grow to ten children. Rafraf's interesting first name was bestowed upon her by her father. He found the word in the Koran; she would be named after one of Allah's promises - the paradise to come. She was a student at Baghdad University until the time that the university had to be shut down (due to the war), then was employed by NBC as a translator. Mr. Teague worked with her when he was assigned as a war correspondent there in 2004. Ms. Barrak was raised as a Muslim, although she did have a rebellious streak (don't we all?!).

Rafraf and Don developed a strong bond after they survived a bomb attack at a school in Baghdad on February 16, 2004. One of the bombs detonated; the one nearest them had a faulty detonator - sparing their lives.

Mr. Teague interprets the events of that day this way:

"I supposed it could have been luck, but to me the incident at the school had God's fingerprints all over it. I believe he can and does intervene in human events. I don't pretend to understand his timing or his ways, but I believe God allows some things for a purpose.
But what purpose? I thought to myself." (p. 174)

As time went on, and Mr. Teague returned to the United States, the Iraqis who worked in concert with Americans were in danger on a more and more regular basis; it was a matter of vengeance to the insurgents. Don promised Rafraf that he would do what he could do to help Rafraf gain entry into the United States. She ultimately did arrive in the United States, and was welcomed into the Teague home as a member of their family by Don and his wife Kiki and their daughters, Rachael and Madison. They truly exemplified the love of Christ to this young Muslim woman who had been indoctrinated by the Iraqi culture to think of Americans as being evil and vengeful toward her people.

I found this book to be very well-written; it had a conversation tone to it. The parts which were written by Mr. Teague were in the first person; the sections written about Ms. Barrak were written in the third person. I came away from this book admiring both of these people. Don and his family lived out their faith, and Rafraf displayed an intelligence and confidence that were beyond expectation when you consider her background.

One paragraph that is particular poignant to me is this:

"We [Don and his wife, Kiki] both believe what we do on earth matters, but what's most important is what happens next. Where does your soul go? For us the answer is accepting Jesus. He is the way to God and he paid a price we could never afford. He loved us so much that he came down to walk with us, show us love and mercy and demonstrated through the cross that he had victory over death and that he wanted us to be with him forever in heaven. All we had to do was believe and accept the gift." (p.
279)

I was amazed and intrigued by this book for several reasons. For one thing, I was so happy to see that Don Teague, with his high profile, is so open about his faith in Jesus Christ. It is heartwarming to me that, in this postmodern age, he is willing to share his faith in such a public forum as this book. And I am grateful that Rafraf discovered the ultimate truth and love and salvation of Jesus Christ; His Holy Spirit met her right where she was! If we never have the opportunity to meet on this earth, I look forward to rejoicing with them in heaven! And I will continue to pray that they will be blessed in their endeavors to share their story.

This book was provided to me by Howard Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., for review purposes.

Reviewed by Andrea Schultz - Ponderings by Andrea - [...]

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Page Turner with Action, Hope, and Love, March 9, 2010

By 

Tiffany D. Hines (Dallas Tx USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Saved by Her Enemy: An Iraqi woman's journey from the heart of war to the heartland of America (Hardcover)

This was an incredible book with unexpected turns on every page. I couldn't put it down. If it weren't for a busy week last week I would have finished it in a day! I highly recommend this (sometimes too) real picture of an iraqi's perspective on America and the things that we as Americans could never understand!

I'm thankful and enlightened after reading this story. It left me wanting more!

I HIGHLY recommend this book!