Jul
15
(5/5)
Non-Fiction / Memoir
First Published in: 2005
Publisher: Virago
Click here to buy Desert Children by Waris Dirie with free delivery
Book Synopsis:
Desert Children is about Waris Dirie and Corinna Milborn’s investigation into the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Europe. It is estimated that up to half a million girls and women have undergone or are at risk of FGM in Europe.
Presently, France is the only country that convicts offenders. What’s more the threat of female genital mutilation is not officially recognized by any European country as a reason for asylum.
Waris Dirie was a top model and UN ambassador. Her story, Desert Flower, of growing up in Somalia, enduring FGM at the age of 5, fleeing though the desert and being discovered as a model by Terence Donovan was an international bestseller. Read more... (1456 words, 8 images, estimated 5:49 mins reading time)
Posted in Biography, Book Reviews, Non-Fiction Biography Human Rights Immigrants memoir Morality Necessary Reading Non-Fiction Women
Jan
01
Infidel
by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
(5/5)
Autobiography / Non-Fiction
First Published in 2007
Publisher: The Free Press
Click to buy this book (free delivery)
Book Synopsis:
Ayaan Hirsi Ali is among today’s most controversial yet admired political figures. She made international headlines when her friend and colleague Theo Van Gogh was assassinated in the Netherlands for making the film Submission with Hirsi Ali. His Islamist murderer stabbed a note to his body threatening that Hirsi Ali would be next.
This celebrated writer of The Caged Virgin, and courageous champion of free speech has led an extraordinary life.
In her astonishing memoir, she tells of growing up in Somalia in a staunch Muslim household, to escaping an arranged marriage, to her intellectual re-birth in the Netherlands, to becoming a member of the Dutch parliament, and finally of her life under constant security protection because of her open critique of Islam. Read more... (371 words, 7 images, estimated 1:29 mins reading time)
Posted in Biography, Book Reviews, Inspirational / Spiritual, My Favourite Books, Non-Fiction Africa Atheism Biography Freedom Immigrants inspirational stories Islam memoir Morality Non-Fiction Women
Dec
13
By Paul Rusesabagina with Tom Zoellner
(5/5)
Non-Fiction / Autobiography
First Published in 2006
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Click to buy this book (free delivery)
Book Synopsis:
Paul Rusesabagina’s extraordinary courage inspired the film Hotel Rwanda, which received 3 Academy Award nominations and starred Don Cheadle.
“The killer would not look at me.
In that one small turn of the face, I saw there might be some room for me to maneuver. I saw that I had a small chance to save the lives of thirty-two of my neighbours who were huddled in the cars behind me.
All I needed was to find the right words. Everything now depended on my words…” Read more... (881 words, 7 images, estimated 3:31 mins reading time)
Posted in Biography, Book Reviews, Non-Fiction Biography Genocide History inspirational stories Morality Non-Fiction Racism Rwanda
Nov
29
by Harper Lee
(4/5)
Fiction
First Published in 1960
Publisher: J. B. Lippincott & Co.
Set in: Maycomb, Alabama, USA. 1930s
Won the Pulitzer Prize 1961
Click to buy this book (free delivery)
Book synopsis:
”Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember, it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”
A lawyer’s advice to his children as he defends the real mockingbird of this enchanting classic – a black man charged with the rape of a white girl.
Thorough the young eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee explores with exuberant humour the irrationality of adult attitudes to race and class in the Deep South of the thirties.
The conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence and hypocrisy is pricked by the stamina of one man’s struggle for justice.
But the weight of history will only tolerate so much…
Read more... (737 words, 7 images, estimated 2:57 mins reading time)
Posted in Adult Fiction, Book Reviews 1930s Classic Novel Fiction Morality Racism USA
