Customer Reviews

A Woman Among Warlords: The Extraordinary Story of an Afghan Who Dared to Raise Her Voice

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This is an excellent overview of the recent history of Afghanistan from the first hand experience of Malalai Joya and the story of a courageous advocate for Afghan freedom and independence. A must read book for anyone interested in the current policy debate. Other books recommended by Malalai Joya on the subject include Bleeding Afghanistan (Kolhatkar), Descent into Chaos (Rashid), and I is for Infidel (Gannon).

This is the extraordinary story of an Afghan Woman who details her life as a child living in different refuge camps and later as a young woman fighting undergrown to educate women in the era of the Taliban. The author goes on to describe life now in Afghanistan and how hard the Afghan people still need to work in order to achieve true democracy and equal human rights for women. Malalai Joya denounces the misrepresentation of the current "democratic government" and their attempts to silent her.

This book is an eye-opener and a truly inspiring story.

One of the most important, impassioned, and informative books I have ever read. This is the story of a teacher, activist, and parliamentarian in Afghanistan (and later throughout the world) who has fought against warlords and misogynists oppressors and occupiers of all sorts throughout her young life. If you want to REALLY know what the history of Afghanistan was, what is going on there now, and most importantly what YOU can do then there is no other book you should before this one...

Malalai Joya has written a lucid book called "A woman among warlords-The extraordinary story of an Afghan who dared to raise her voice.".In it she tells of her upbringing during the war in Afghanistan in the 1980's. She describes how the family had to flee the fighting and live in dangerous conditions in Iranian refugee camps where many Afghans where persecuted. Then the family took refuge in Pakistani refugee camps where many of the Afghan orphans would later be recruited into the Taliban. After the Russians are driven out of Afghanistan with support from America the country is left to be ravaged by opposing factions of brutal warlords. The stories that Malalai reports here are incredibly brutal, with rape and murder becoming a commonplace thing in the Afghan scenery at this time. Some of these warlords who fought for power between 92 and 96 when the power vaccum developed would later become part of the new Afghan government under Hamid Karzai that America and Nato now support.

The Soviet empire had bombed and killed their way all across Afghanistan and now the warlords fighting was continuing to tear the place appart. Finally the Taliban took power in 98 and this brought some inital stability to the country but at a high price. Human rights suffered immensley as well as womens rights. Malalai went back into the country to start teaching the women reading and writing in underground schools. The Taliban misused Islam too and crearted a set of medieval, repressive rules in the name of their religion. She took risks teaching these classes but local Afghans demanded it, not wanting their girls to lack education. Many of the fun things for people had to be done on an underground level. Malalai recounts: "It was a challange to learn to eat icecream under the burqa". Women would meet and dance together in each others homes, wear makeup or western style clothing under their burqas, or have "Titanic parties" where people would meet up at secret parties and watch the popular film Titanic together. Ofcourse after the Taliban fell in 2001 the first hing that happend was that people went out and bought DVD players and stereos, with music blasting on every street corner.

After the tragic events on 9/11 Afghanistan was now under an attack from the US army and NATO. The goal was to get rid of the Taliban government and catch Bin ladin and his ALQaida men. Civilians in Afghanistan first felt liberated but then eventually betrayed when the old warlords who had been driven away by the Taliban started to return to power with US and NATO backing. On november 19th 2001 the New York times wrote that "The galaxy of warlords who tore Afghanistan apart in the early 1990s and who where vanquished by the Taliban because of their corruption and perfidy are back on their thrones , poised to excercise power in the ways they always have." Now old warlords like Dostum and Fahim came back to power at the dread of many Afghans. Sensing that a critical voice was needed within the new government Malalai went into politics.

She travelled to Kabul to attend the Loya Jirga, a big national meeting between representatives from many different regions before the elections in 2004. Here all the different players who had helped America defeat the Taliban where represented. Many of these warlords had long records of human rights abuses yet here they where wearing "the mask of democracy" as Malalai Joya called it. This outraged her and she delivered a powerfull speech where she denounced the warlords and their cronies. This launched her into the public eye making her message known around the world almost overnight. The BBC news called her "The bravest woman in Afghanistan". But it also enraged the warlords who immediatley denounced her and she was banned from speaking again in jirga. She also started recieving alot of support from Aghans who shared her point of view. But she also became the target of threats and assassination attempts due to her comments.

Later Joya met with Afghan president Hamid Karzai. He listened to her and even shed tears when she told her the brutal stories about the women she had cared for who had been raped. She also met with his wife who wanted to start a womens group with her. This was never followed through and Malalai Joya makes her point clearly that she sees now Karzai as being a puppet for the American with the real power behind the throne being Zalmay Kalilzad who was at the time the US ambassador to Afghanistan. Who according to Joya "many people in Afghanistan considered the architect of misguided US policy in Afghanistan". It is Joyas opinion that America was repeating it's old mistake of supporting Islamic fundamentalists in Afghanistan. Due to a movie made about Malalai called "Enemies of Happiness" her message started to spread around the world. The film won some prizes so she was invited abroad to speak about the war in Afghanistan. This lead to her reputation as a peace activist growing. Eventually she was thrown out of the Afghan parliament and has become even more unpopular because of her outspokeness against the corruption and former warcrimes of some of the parliament warlord members.

All in all this book is a very heavy read. It takes you deep into the troubled world that is Afghanistan today. There are so many tragic stories she relates about the immense suffering of the Afghan civilians who have been caught up in 30 years of brutal warfare. The picture she paints of her country is very dark and one becomes very pessimistic for Afghanistans future when one reads her assessment of the state of things in her country. But the warlord policy that is now in place is something that is a huge obstacle to the countries future. By allowing the corruption to continue regular Afghans see the former warlords now filling their pockets with foreign aid and drug money. The Americans and NATO forces who have put them in power and support them have become very disliked because of this in many Afghan peoples eyes. Even vice president Joe Biden said "America has replaced the Taliban with the warlords. Warlords are still on the US payroll but that hasn't brought a cesation of violence. Not only is the US failing to rein in the warlords, we are actually making them the centerpiece of our strategy."

Malalai says that her country has always been used as a battlefield for a much bigger chessgame taking place between foreign players, wether it be the Russians, the British, the Americans, the Iranians or Pakistanis (the list goes on). But the massive support that America gave to the radical islamic movements in this part of the world has now brought America back to the region into a much bigger quagmire. I am honestly very discouraged about how things will turn out for them there. By backing Hamid Karzai who cheated his way into winning the recent election and also supporting many misogynistic, drug dealing fundamentalist warlords their chances of gaining local support will be bleak at best. But I like the quote that Malalai has in the book from Martin Luther King:

"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice."

This is a useful and interesting book that made this reader consider the Afghan "government" that western powers are currently propping up. However, for a person not familiar with the history and details of the situation in Afghanistan (like myself), the frequent references to the multiple warlords who are the chief constituents of a corrupt government were opaque. I tend to think that for the interested North American reader, more background information needed to be provided about many of the figures in the Afghan parliament. I was disappointed at reading so much about men, all guilty of the same crimes--and seemingly interchangeable, and not being better informed about how democratically minded Afghans (like Joya and those who elected her) would begin to correct the situation were the Americans, Canadians and others to back out. I understand the idea that democracy must grow naturally out of the struggles of the people, but when there are such human rights abuses going on, how much of a hands-off policy should westerners really have? The book certainly made me question what we are really doing there, and what (in a more optimistic light) the role of true supporters of democracy should be. How can the West really support this war-torn country? How can we protect the most downtrodden from bullies? Joya's message about the heinous crimes against women, children, and the poor of this country perpetrated by a government of criminals, who have a long history of violent abuse of human rights, is loud and clear. However, as another reviewer has noted, the book felt repetitive. I wonder if more knowledgeable or skilled editors (and possibly co-writer) might have helped the book become a clearer, more illuminating work. Having heard a number of interviews with Joya, a charismatic and galvanizing woman, I was surprised at the tone of the book. From the book, one has the sense that Joya stands almost alone against the corrupt; she alone sees the fundamental truth about the fundamentalists. Few other democratic Afghan voices are heard. Yet, surely, given Joya's success and support, she has met with other thoughtful and dedicated "freedom fighters." The frequent use of the word "martyrs" is also concerning and requires clarification for a western audience. This was an interesting book that could have been more effectively written.

Her book is highly inspirational, life changing to me by setting an example of speaking truth to power. Malalai Joya is my new heroine. A more descriptive title would be an "A Brave Women among War Criminals & Drug lords that runs the Karzai Government that tries to kill her". She is willing to die for her message against injustice & for freedom & democracy. She had at least 5 assassinations on her life. She credits her survival from leaks within the ranks of her enemies. Even associates of war criminals have some compassion. Even if she is killed as she says won't be the first or the last to die for the truth.

I couldn't put Afghan war in context before reading her book. We see glimpses of the truth in our media. But our media is as she says, "dust in the eyes of the world". Her book was shocking to me, even though I read "Killing Hope, U.S. military & C.I.A. interventions since World War II by William Blum". The Afghan war in the context of the U.S. helping Bin Ladin against the Soviets & aiding Saddam against Iran it is not surprising. She says her message is confirmed by "Human Rights Watch & Transparency International"; this is true. Larry Wilkerson who was Colin Powell's chief of staff from a different direction also confirms was she says.

There are two types of Muhajadeen. The 1st is the true patriots of Afghanistan that fought for freedom against the Soviet occupation. The 2nd type is the war criminals that killed tens of thousands of innocent Afghans & did thousands of rapes. The war criminal type has reinvented themselves as both the Taliban & "Northern Alliance". The Northern Alliance that killed 65,000 innocent Afghans in Kubul which maybe even worse than the Taliban is now the political elite in the Karzai's government. By supporting the war criminals, drug lords & the friends of rapists in the Karzai government we have betrayed the Afghan & American people, our soldiers, democracy, freedom & women's right not to be abused.

I decided we must help her. We should try to end an unjust war. American soldiers shouldn't be are lined along the TAPI pipeline route like Larry Wilkerson says. The U.S. should negotiate with other countries not to support war criminals & lead the way by cutting support for the corrupt Karzai government & ending the war. I donated to the Defense Committee for Malalai Joya ([...]). If she is killed by her enemies we should make her more powerful in death than in life.

The story of Mlalai Joya, a young Afghan woman who fearlessly speaks out on the true situation in Afghanistan today; the injustices and especially on the corruption; she speaks of warlords and corrupt men in the government naming names and pulling no punches, AND SHE IS STILL LIVING IN AFGHANISTAN! It is amazing she is still alive, but there is no doubt in my mind that she will soon be martyred. You have to admire someone willing to lay down their life, especially at such a young age; this book moved me deeply, EVERYONE IN OUR STATE DEPARTMENT SHOULD READ THIS BOOK; I wish Obama and Hillary Clinton had.
The only criticism I have is that it could have been improved with more editing, but that is o.k., passion is passion.

Malalai Joya has outsized courage. She has experienced trauma and seen brutality and grinding poverty on a scale we who live under stable governments cannot imagine. Just knowing that carrying a book inside your burka can cost you your life is an outrageous thought. She braved this and more to share her education. Later she used her courage on the local and world stages.

It is painful to know that the perpetrators of the destruction of Kabul, those who murdered innocents and those who made and enforced the draconian laws against women come to power in a "democracy". It must be horrible for the average citizens, all who are bereaved in some way.

Joya was very young to be elected to the Loya Jirgha. Was it wise to begin her tenure with such open criticism? Here in the west, it is not a way to begin a new job or be effective in politics. But, none of us is facing colleagues who months earlier ordered or participated in the murder of innocent people and the destruction of cities. How does a sane and compassionate person respond to this?

If only by defining the people in charge Joya shows how corrupt and anti-democratic the leaders are. Karzai's first choice for Chief Justice told NPR that he supports beheading for un-Islamic behavior and Karzai's top drug advisor spent 4 years in a Nevada prison for selling heroin. The governor Karzai appointed to Joya's home district was believed by residents to be a war criminal, and later, believed to have attacked its orphanage and clinic. While there are no courts to prove or disprove their beliefs, couldn't Karzai find a governor with a better reputation? These are only a few examples.

The US, pouring $ billions into the country, did not want to hear bad news. Good news stories about roads, hospitals and schools continue to emanate from the country. Many, like Barbara Bush, believe (or want to believe, or have a vested interest in the public believing) that all girls and boys can now go to school and that there is a functioning economy and legal system.

It may be that President Obama has gotten the message. In March he made a surprise visit to give stern words to Karzai. In this book Karzai appears to be hapless. He is sympathetic listener but he does nothing. (Some say he is a user of Afghanistan's major export, and while this book does not hint of that, his behavior does.) I presume he listened sympathetically to President Obama, but when he does nothing, what will President Obama do with a country so out of control? Joya says the US should leave immediately, but also says for this to work the warlords must be disarmed... a major Catch 22.

This was a very enlightening book. The specific examples she cites helps to put the pieces (left out by the media) together. The book needs and editor. Some information is repeated. Some topics need more introduction. Some of the material is presented in a way it is hard for western readers to pull context. While the qualities of the book put it in the 3 to 4 star category, I give it the full 5 stars for the specificity of the information and the courageous work of the author.

Malalai Joya's book contains hard, searing words for politicians around the world that are involved in Afghanistan's affairs. Not all are completely correct; but the truth is over $100 million a day is spent on the war by the US government at this point and a huge majority falls into corrupt hands. Some of her statements to solve Afghanistan's problems are simplistic...just disarm the warlords... give money to rebuild the infrastructure, as if that would cure the corruption
BUT, the key to much of what she has to say needs desperately to be read by all. The human toll in this country is offensive, the ghastly treatment of woman is a more than a crime. She is one of the bravest people on planet earth and should be read by any politician involved in policy to the country of Afghanistan that she begs to let it rule itself and work out its' own problems, they are not children.
She has been victimized and is in constant danger and in her heart begs for justice for those who have been so mistreated, that one can not imagine the dreadfulness of their lives. Read and judge for yourself.

Malalai Joya has been called "the bravest woman in the world", and this book reveals her life and her commitment to tell the story of living in Afghanistan during the last three decades. She is a member of the Parliament who was kicked out for challenging the actions and words of the current leaders of Afghanistan, and she now must travel with bodyguards. She reveals the misery, fear, desperation of a people who have been devastated by decades of unending war. She passionately asks for a different approach from those who have any interest in helping her country. This book is for anyone who wants to know more about that country beyond what is provided in the western media,