A Woman of Egypt [Paperback]

Jehan Sadat (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2002

In this autobiography, Jehan Sadat tells how she defied the strict Muslim traditions of her country, by marrying the man of her choice, the assassinated President Anwar Sadat, by taking up public life and travelling outside her own country and by campaigning for women's rights. As a mother of four, Jehan Sadat went back to university at age forty-one and received her PhD in October 1988.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In her overwritten and artless autobiography, the widow of the assassinated Egyptian leader recounts her religious and nationalistic renaissance in the wake of World War II, her courtship by the impoverished, antiroyalist revolutionary Sadat and her parents' disapproval, the couple's early financial struggles, the "shameful" excesses of the new republic, her reforms for women's rights and the dangers and rewards of the presidency. Her evocative descriptions capture the camaraderie of village women as well as soldiers' gory war wounds. Unfortunately, much here is propagandistic and self-serving ("I do not know where my energy came from or how I had the courage to face so many dreadfully injured men"), and the portrait of her husband, however affecting, approaches hagiography. This is not the astute political study of Anwar Sadat one would expect from a wife who was intimately involved in her husband's governance. Photos not seen by PW. Major ad/promo; first serial to People; paperback rights to Pocket Books; BOMC alternate; author tour.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Sadat emphasizes both politics and women's issues in this story of her marriage to the man who served as Egypt's president for more than a decade. She weaves together her involvement in her husband's political life with her interest in social changes in a traditional Muslim country. On the political side she tells us little new, but conveys understanding of Egyptian nationalist history and values, and provides an interesting description of the negotiations leading to the Camp David agreement. In the social sphere, she offers fascinating discussion of village life, where poor, hardworking women find joy as well as constraints, and where she helped organize a cooperative. While not the most eloquent writer, she succeeds in creating interest in her country and her views. Highly recommended for general libraries. Elizabeth R. Hayford, President, Associated Colls. of the Midwest, Chicago
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1ST edition (February 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743237080
• ISBN-13: 978-0743237086
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #916,584 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Woman of Egypt, December 4, 2001

By 

Sigrid Egan (Phoenix, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Woman of Egypt (Hardcover)

I was living in Saudi Arabia with my husband for several years. Last summer, a German friend of mine gave me this book translated into German. I was completely captivated by the contents of which I knew very little and the interesting way Ms. Sadat wrote about her life. It was definitely a revelation to me how deeply rooted the problems in the Middle East between Egypt and Isreal were already at the time. Whether this my suggestion belongs into this review or not: I wished the book was made more public - I could not find it this past summer anywhere in a bookstore. (Competitive store)only showed the German title. Every American should read the book in order understand the unsurmountable problems between Jews and Arabs in the region to this day.
As to Madame Sadat: What a courageous, dedicated women she was in a Muslim country, combining her deep faith with her progressive ideas.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Extraordinary Woman . . ., January 28, 2002

By 

Margaret Dyal (San Antonio, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Woman of Egypt (Hardcover)

Jehan Sadat is an extraordinary and courageous woman. I was amazed to read about all of the wonderful programs she created for her country, including cooperatives for women, educational facilities, communities for the disabled, and home communities for orphans. She served tirelessly on local political committees and charitable committees, including Egypt's version of the Red Cross. The fight for women's right to divorce and vote in elections was so important to her that she risked her own family relationships but constantly asking her husband (to his annoyance) to support her agenda until he gave in. Sadat accomplished all these things and much more while raising three children, pursuing a graduate degree in Arabic literature, and supporting her husband, president of Egypt. _A Woman of Egypt_ is not just about Sadat, however; the book discusses Egyptian politics, especially Egypt's relationship to Israel and the US. After reading Sadat's book, I've come to understand the complexities between US-Israel and Arab relations. Sadat is even-handed and fair in assessment of the political situations--she does not condemn her enemies just because they are her enemies. I found her to be an admirable woman and her husband to be an incredible man--the first Muslim leader to actively seek peace with Israel. My favorite line from the book is (paraphrased): They say my husband was ahead of his time, but how can a man who lived only for peace be ahead of his time?

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Probably the best source of what Jehan Sadat did for Egypt., April 20, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: A Woman of Egypt (Hardcover)

As can be expected, this book is the best source for what Jehan Sadat did in Egypt before, during, and after Sadat's presidency. Well-written and interesting, this book details her life with and without Anwar Sadat from a unique point of view. Well worth reading. Please note- I am an engineer, not that interested in the Middle East, and even I could not stop reading