- Category: Books » Politics & Current Events » Political Freedom & Security - Human Rights
- Format: Hardcover Learn more about the Hardcover format using Tower WIKI.
- Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group
- Number of Pages: 320
- ISBN: 0307267148
- WAPI (Tower ID): 113106110
- Release Date: September 8, 2009
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Average Customer Review:
(1 customer review)
- Tower.com Sales Rank: #70 in Books (See Top 100 Books Bestsellers)
- #4 in Politics & Current Events (See Top 100 Politics & Current Events Bestsellers)
- #1 in Political Freedom & Security - Human Rights (See Top 100 Political Freedom & Security - Human Rights Bestsellers)
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Product DescriptionRun a Quick Search on "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide" by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn to Browse Related Products:Browse more products related to "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide"Browse more products related to "Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn"Review"[Kristof] and WuDunn are very clear that they have not written HALF THE SKY simply to document the condition of child brides in Ethiopia and girls forced into prostitution in Cambodia, but to inspire readers to change the dynamic and shift the paradigm....it is a testament to their skills as writers and reporters that they've managed to write this call to action without having to raise their voices." "[A] brilliantly argued case for investing in the health and autonomy of women worldwide...." (starred review) "Full of vivid firsthand reporting, and packed with information...HALF THE SKY...calls passionately, even angrily, for a grand campaign....[The authors] make...a strong case for gender justice,...demolish...the unthinking moral relativism that shrugs at atrocities, and...fills the reader's heart with so much sympathy and indignation..." "[HALF THE SKY] comes close to being a masterpiece of modern journalism....It's a humbling story in a book full of humbling stories.... Perhaps that sounds depressing. But on the contrary, Kristof and WuDunn's book is empowering for the reader. It shows that, while there is a mountain of misogyny to be climbed, it is being ascended, woman by woman, day by day. The authors are constantly pointing readers toward practical things they can do, from giving to the best charities to volunteering..." "HALF THE SKY tackles atrocities and indignities..., and absorbing the fusillade of horrors can feel like an assault of its own. But the poignant portraits of survivors humanize the issues, divulging facts that moral outrage might otherwise eclipse....Throughout, Kristof and WuDunn show faith in the capacity of ordinary citizens, including Americans, to initiate change....Mingling tales of woe with testimonials to people power, the authors explain how tragedy can spawn opportunity." "HALF THE SKY is a call to arms, a call for help, a call for contributions, but also a call for volunteers. It asks us to open our eyes to this enormous humanitarian issue. It does so with exquisitely crafted prose and sensationally interesting material. It provides us with a list of individual hospitals, schools and small charities so that we can contribute to, or at least inform ourselves about, this largely unknown world. I really do think this is one of the most important books I have ever reviewed." Publisher's noteA Pulitzer Prize-winning husband-and-wife team speaks out against the oppression of women in the developing world, sharing example stories about victims and survivors who are working to raise awareness, counter abuse, and campaign for women's rights. A call to arms against our era's most pervasive human rights violation: the oppression of women in the developing world. AnnotationWhen people encounter histories related to slavery in the 18th century, they typically distance themselves from the tales of atrocity with a moral buffer, founded in the bedrock certainty that such abhorrent treatment of humanity is unthinkable in the age of modern enlightenment. But the sad fact is that there are countless cruelties being tolerated in the contemporary world which will cause similar shame to future generations. Violent and open oppression remains ubiquitous to the lives of millions of women around the world, who are subjected to genital mutilations, sex slavery, sanctioned rape, and communal murder. In fact, the global plague of misogyny is so rampant and widespread that it seemingly defies response, for how does one begin to address a problem which is embedded in so many cultures? One might begin by buying this book. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn have done the world a tremendous service by collecting examples of astonishing courage and hope from women who not only survived, but triumphed in the face of unspeakable brutality. Perhaps more significantly, the authors focus specifically on what every citizen can do to contribute to the fight against the subjugation of women. It is difficult to conceive of a more essential and benevolent book than Kristof and WuDunn's epic endeavor. If You Enjoy "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide (Hardcover)", May We Also Recommend:Customer Reviews for "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide (Hardcover)" by Nicholas D. Kristof (Author) a...Most Recent Customer Reviews  AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ FOR ANYONE WHO CARES ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS, September 18, 2009
By Tom Boone
I was able to read most of an advance copy of this book before Bill Drayton
(founder of Ashoka: Innovators for the Public) snatched it away and ran off with
it on his annual 2-week hiking trip to the mountains. I think this has to be the
most important book - not just for women’s rights globally but for human rights
- published in my memory. Kristof and WuDunn weave together a most compelling
story of how culture and customs historically suppress women. They tackle many
tough, taboo topics - for example honor killing. But more importantly, they
champion the stories of heroic women worldwide wholly committed to changing the
many evils of the status quo.
What is more, they posit a kind of general
framework theory that the really important advances in human rights that are
going to be made in the near future are going to be brought about by these
entrepreneurial pioneering women. In essence, that the backbone of the human
rights movement and of real change across all societies is going to be a direct
function of brave women who give themselves permission to say “NO” to thousands
of years of (to most Westerners) unimaginable oppressive cultural customs and
who take it upon themselves to lead to a new way. Once you have read the book,
it is very hard, if not impossible, to disagree with Kristof and WuDunn’s
general theme. To wit, the brave women of Iran who took to the streets to
protest the results of the recent election.
Among many other “super” women
including VITAL VOICES, HALF THE SKY spotlights the following inspirational
Ashoka Fellows:
• Sunitha Krishnan (India), founder of Prajwala, a citizen
sector organization in Hyderabad, India, fighting forced prostitution and sex
trafficking, rescuing women and children from sexual exploitation, incestual
rape, sexual torture, and abuse in prostitution. Her organization helps former
prostitutes learn vocational skills so they can move into new careers.
“Prajwala” means “an eternal flame”.
• Sakena Yacoobi (Afghanistan), founder
of the Afghan Institute of Learning, a citizen sector organization providing
teacher training to Afghan women, educating and fostering education for girls
and boys, and providing health education to women and children. Her organization
also runs fixed and mobile health clinics that provide family planning services.
Sakena holds the distinction of having been Ashoka’s first Afghan Fellow.
Educating women and girls was banned under the Taliban and is controversial
under Islamic law.
• Roshaneh Zafar (Pakistan), founder of Pakistani
microfinance lender, Kashf. A former World Bank employee, she was inspired after
a chance meeting with Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank. “Kashf” means
“miracle” and Kashf is indeed fostering a miracle by leveraging microfinance to
women to transform the role of women in Pakistani society and bringing about a
poverty-free world. To date, Kashf supports 305,038 families in Pakistan, has
disbursed $202 million, and has 52 branches nationwide.
I am not alone in my
enthusiasm for this book! Last Tuesday, September 15, 2009, the United Nations
Office on Drugs and Crime (“UNODC”) hosted a panel discussion and booksigning
with Mr. Kristof and Ms. WuDunn in the UN Trusteeship Council Chamber at UN
Headquarters. All 550 seats in the Trusteeship Council Chamber were filled. UN
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon delivered opening remarks. Special recognition
goes to two very special women, Simone Monasebian and Anna Rosario Kennedy of
the UNODC, who put together this behomoth of an event.
Five out of five
stars. An absolute must read for anyone who cares about women’s rights or human
rights. A genuine eye popper that moves so fast, tackles so much that has
hitherto been taboo and unmovable, and interweaves the unbelievably positive
stories of the very heroic women already leading and creating change in a
tapestry that is glimpse of a brave and very different, humanitarian new world.
Once you pick this book up, you will not be able to put it down. And once you
have read it, you will be moved to help bring about tomorrow. Absolute proof
that the glass (or the sky) is half full. We just have to give ourselves
permission to make change. Or as Gandhi said, “we must be the change we wish to
see.”
BUY IT. READ IT. PASS IT AROUND.
- Tom Boone, Ashoka
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