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Masih Alinejad

The Wind in My Hair: My Fight for Freedom in Modern Iran Hardcover – Illustrated, May 29, 2018

by Masih Alinejad (Author)

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An extraordinary memoir from an Iranian journalist in exile about leaving her country, challenging tradition and sparking an online movement against compulsory hijab.

A photo on Masih's Facebook page: a woman standing proudly, face bare, hair blowing in the wind. Her crime: removing her veil, or hijab, which is compulsory for women in Iran. This is the self-portrait that sparked 'My Stealthy Freedom,' a social media campaign that went viral.

But Masih is so much more than the arresting face that sparked a campaign inspiring women to find their voices. She's also a world-class journalist whose personal story, told in her unforgettably bold and spirited voice, is emotional and inspiring. She grew up in a traditional village where her mother, a tailor and respected figure in the community, was the exception to the rule in a culture where women reside in their husbands' shadows.

As a teenager, Masih was arrested for political activism and was surprised to discover she was pregnant while in police custody. When she was released, she married quickly and followed her young husband to Tehran where she was later served divorce papers to the shame and embarrassment of her religiously conservative family. Masih spent nine years struggling to regain custody of her beloved only son and was forced into exile, leaving her homeland and her heritage. Following Donald Trump's notorious immigration ban, Masih found herself separated from her child, who lives abroad, once again.

A testament to a spirit that remains unbroken, and an enlightening, intimate invitation into a world we don't know nearly enough about, The Wind in My Hair is the extraordinary memoir of a woman who overcame enormous adversity to fight for what she believes in, and to encourage others to do the same.

Print length

400 pages
Language:

English
Publisher

Little, Brown and Company
Publication date

May 29, 2018
Dimensions

6.38 x 1.38 x 9.63 inches
ISBN-10

031654891X
ISBN-13

978-0316548915
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Told poignantly and with a blunt honesty that seems a characteristic of Alinejad's life and writing, here is a gripping tale that permits us to peek at the inner workings of the Iranian Revolution and consider the question of its health and longevity."

―New York Times Book Review

""The Wind in My Hair"... paints a vivid portrait of modern Iran...The book comes at a time of renewed energy within the feminist movement, and Ms. Alinejad believes that the book's themes transcend borders."

―New York Times

"Alinejad's experiences make for a compelling and eye-opening read."

―Christian Science Monitor

"Women all over Iran risked imprisonment and even their lives and safety to post pictures. Alinejad's stories of her illustrious career as a groundbreaking journalist challenging the Islamic Republic make for a fascinating narrative."

―Publisher's Weekly

"[Masih's] descriptions of life as a journalist and activist will captivate readers interested in Iran, international affairs, gender equality, and human rights."

―Booklist

"Alinejad's account provides a timely glimpse behind the Iranian curtain."

―Kirkus

"Masih Alinejad is a fearless champion for women's rights. She built her career as a reporter uncovering powerful truths and writing passionately in support of human rights in a country where doing so meant risking one's freedom and safety. Her book is a must-read for anyone who cares about women's equality and autonomy-in Iran, the United States, and everywhere."

―Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebookand Founder of LeanIn.Org and OptionB.Org

"Masih Alinejad's personal story is intriguing and inspiring. For her freedom is not just political but existential, which is why Masih's voice is so important to Iran's civil society and the Iranian people's struggles for freedom and democracy."

―Azar Nafisi, authorof Reading Lolita in Tehran and The Republic of Imagination

"With mighty righteousness on her side and bravery in her heart, Masih Alinejad is a flame-thrower for the rights of all women who live under the thumb of repression and injustice."

―Tina Brown, author of The Vanity Fair Diaries

"Masih Alinejad's inspiring journey from an ordinary working-class village girl in Iran into a transnational activist-journalist is a testimony to not only her talents and passionate dedication to equal rights, but also to the aspiration and determination of many Iranian women whose stories are recounted by her. Masih's courageous journey is part of a growing women's rights movement that resonates with women everywhere."

―Nayereh Tohidi,Director, Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at California State, Northridge

About the Author

Masoumeh (Masih) Alinejad-Ghomi was born in 1976 in Ghomikola, Babol. She is an award-winning Iranian journalist, broadcaster, blogger and founder of the My Stealthy Freedom movement. A 2011 graduate of Oxford Brookes University, Alinejad currently reports and presents a weekly TV segment on VOA, called Tablet, where she mixes hard news and satire. Masih has been published in a variety of newspapers and magazines, including Huffington Post, Time magazine and the Washington Post. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Product details

Publisher : Little, Brown and Company; Illustrated edition (May 29, 2018)
Language: : English
Hardcover : 400 pages
ISBN-10 : 031654891X
ISBN-13 : 978-0316548915
Item Weight : 1.4 pounds
Dimensions : 6.38 x 1.38 x 9.63 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #603,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #283 in Iran History
- #560 in Historical Middle East Biographies
- #1,124 in Social Activist Biographies

Customer Reviews:
182 ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

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Kathleen Whitton

Waste of time

Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2019

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Masih Alinejad tells the story of her struggle in oppressive Iran and her fight against a corrupt regime. Despite her horrific experiences early on, she found the courage to carry on and ultimately escaped. If one knows nothing about Iran's history, and the lack of human rights for women, this is a good read. I would have praised this book, but I found that the last two chapters were difficult to finish. My perception of her is an ungrateful person to have had the good fortune to come to the United States with all the freedoms it affords. She used the last two chapters of the book to trash our current President and resorted to name-calling, words parroted from others, which demonstrates to me a lack of critical thinking, and a woman who has fallen into the trap of group think. She currently lives in New York, and evidently goes along with what others say and do in her area. I would have closed the book feeling satisfied, but was disgusted instead.

38 people found this helpful

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PAT

The Wind in my Hair by Alinejab

Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2018

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I have always wondered if all women wear the head covering required in Islamic countries out of choice. After reading this book, now I know! The author is passionate in her stand that Islamic women should have the choice whether they to wear the head covering and/or long restrictive coats or clothing. She spends time in jail for her beliefs and now lives in exile in the USA from her native Iran. She's an inspiration to everyone who believe in personal freedom.

14 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

The real story- No rights for women in today's Iran

Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2018

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I (white USA male) know very little about life for women in today's Iran. This book was a shock and wake up call for me. I am definitely disturbed on learning how little rights that women have in today's Iran. This is the story of a very courageous woman. We should never give up the fight for everyone's rights and equality, including the Iranian women's right to "hijab or not".

12 people found this helpful

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Diana Steinhoff

Amazing!!

Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2018

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I have so much respect for Masih. She is fighting for the rights of all women. As i read her story I was astonished at the fact that women are treated this way. Thank you for sheding light regarding such an important topic. We need to stand together and continue to fight for equality.

10 people found this helpful

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Meyzi Barin

The determination to struggle for what you believe

Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2018

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The fascinating story of a young woman from an Iranian village. A product of the Islamic revolution which in spite of poverty, tradition, lack of education was able to fight for her right to be a free woman, educate herself, work and live the life she wanted and how she has inspired others to follow in her footsteps. It made me ashamed of my own freedom so easily acquired, and so effortless, while at the same time as a woman I felt proud of the struggle, the pain and the sacrifices she had to make to accomplish all that she did.

8 people found this helpful

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Pompom

Important topic but there are other more inspirational women writing on this topic!

Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2020

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I started off enjoying this book as I have read several books over the years by women living in repressive regimes where they are forced to wear the hijab, but I became bored as the book progressed and I did not have any empathy for Masih as a person. It seems that she criticizes life in her home country which she wants to return to, and is less than complimentary about New York, despite being able to protest without fearing arrest like in Iran. The irony is that in 2004 I was inspired by Azar Nafisi's " Reading Lolita in Tehran" which I sent copies to friends in South Africa, and she has written something very positive on the back cover of this book!

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

Sharon Keech

Clever and Brave Iranian Girl Singlehandedly Gains Worldwide Support for Women's Rights

Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2018

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The book follows the life story of Masih Alinejad, an Iranian journalist and human rights activist, from her beginnings in an impoverished agricultural village in northern Iran through her career as a journalist in Teheran to her meteoric rise as a human rights activist based in London and New York. Without the benefit of a high school degree, and forbidden by law from qualifying for a press pass, she talked her way into becoming a reporter and journalist covering political events in the Iranian parliament and the theocratic hierarchy that controlled it. Her press pass was revoked after she exposed a widespread scheme of corruption, but she continued as a journalist and columnist, escaping the later brutal crackdown of the Ahmadinejad regime which closed most opposition papers and jailed, beat and killed scores of other journalists. Masih herself had been brutally detained while in high school after posting placards advocating for a more free and open society.
Her courage and determination are extraordinary, as she keeps telling us. Her personal history is quirky and fascinating by any standards. The story of her marriage and pregnancy hardly fits into any cultural construct. She makes an understandable and compelling case for the inhumanity of the forced wearing of the hijab by all girls and women – and the complicity of foreign diplomats who cover their heads while visiting Iran. The story lags somewhat near the end as she details her encounters with movers and shakers of the media. I ended up admiring her body of work without feeling any great fondness for the person behind it – but then I’ve never met her.

4 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

MelanieMc

A Compelling True Story of Oppression in Iran

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 12, 2018

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The true story of an Iranian village girl with a huge fighting spirit and a hunger for life, truth and fairness. Fearless and passionate Masih challenges the oppression in Iran.
I knew a little about Iran’s oppressive society but now realise just how much I didn’t know, understand or appreciate. Very similar to so many of us westerners including our governments. I thought I’d never say this but hurrah for social media to give people a voice when they can’t speak out in their own countries. We are so lucky in the western world to have such freedom.
Masih’s relentless fight to expose the hypocrisy, corruption and absurdity of Iranian law put her life at risk but her commitment is relentless and she continues to fight against compulsory hijab in Iran.
Masih’s story is feminism at its most passionate. A pure, fearless spirit. A very brave women who tells a wonderful description of her life and many challenges.
I laughed, I cried, I fumed at the injustices but I was sorry to finish it and will recommend it to all.
Keep up the fight Masih and thank you for enligtening me.

6 people found this helpful

1Vicentina

the wind still in my hair...but for how long?

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 21, 2018

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A tremendous account of life in Iran. It is inspiring and well written. Women in the west should take a leaf of her book as freedom is running out . Also it is a great example to all sold out journalists out there. Towards the end it lingers a bit with distracting details, I felt. For instance it was intriguing that the author could move to such a classy and expensive London neighbourhood just like that after expressing financial distress in pages preceding the move. But this is just one of my pet hates ... if you embark on details I want to know all. Keeping the narrative tighter avoids swerving .

One person found this helpful

Diana Wylde

With the skill of seasoned journalists and the most open of hearts

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2020

Verified Purchase

As the author herself states in her acknowledgments, this is the story of her journey from a village in northern Iran to the metropolis of New York and international journalism. Born to illiterate and devout parents, she was unconvinced by the teachings they tried to impart, and in high school defied her father and the customs of her village by refusing to wear a chador. From then on it was one piece of "mischief" after another until, still in school, she was arrested, detained and interrogated. At this point she started to realise that her "mischief" was considered by others to be more serious than she had imagined.

One person found this helpful

Mahnaz

Iranian women are fighting to get their basic human rights!!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 27, 2018

Verified Purchase

“Wind through my hair”! The title definitely describes the most basic human right! If we believe that women are also human!! This meaning that all human beings need to feel the wind in their hair, without an unwanted cover on their hair!! This is not just a biography of Masih Alinejad! This is persian history starting from 1979, after an Islamic extremist took over a liberal country called Iran 🇮🇷 by abusing their faith and religious believes!! It’s a brilliant read, I couldn’t put down the book! It made me feel sorry for the population, struggling to gain their basic rights! It made me cry and laugh with the writer’s sense of humour, at the same time! It’s a must read for whom going to judge Masih Alinejad! As the saying says “little knowledge is dangerous”! Only one suggestion though! This book needs to be translated to Farsi to allow People in Iran to read who aren’t fluent in English!

2 people found this helpful

Amazon Customer

Fascinating and inspiring

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 28, 2018

Verified Purchase

A brilliant book - I could not put it down. Well written, at times heart breaking and yet full of love and joy, this book provides a fascinating insight into the lives of women and the political issues surrounding women in Iran. Inspiring and thought provoking.

2 people found this helpful