Cover image for Between two worlds : escape from tyranny : growing up in the shadow of Saddam / Zainab Salbi and Laurie Becklund.
Between two worlds : escape from tyranny : growing up in the shadow of Saddam / Zainab Salbi and Laurie Becklund.
TITLE:
Between two worlds : escape from tyranny : growing up in the shadow of Saddam / Zainab Salbi and Laurie Becklund.
Publication Date:
2005
Publication Information:
New York : Gotham Books/Penguin Group,
Physical Description:
295 p.
Additional Contributors:
Summary:
Zainab Salbi was eleven years old when her father was chosen to serve as Saddam Hussein's personal pilot, her family often forced to spend weekends with Saddam where he watched their every move. As a palace insider, Zainab offers a singular glimpse of what it is like to come of age under a dictator and provides an intimate portrait of the man she was taught to call uncle. She watched as Saddam pitted friends, spouses, and even children against each other to compete for his approval. She was sent to donate her mother's jewelry to one of the world's richest men, asked to erase her memory as she heard of crimes she was not supposed to hear of, and witnessed her mother hiding her tears lest it upset Saddam. Her mother eventually sent Zainab to America for an arranged marriage, to spare her from Saddam’'s growing affection, but the marriage intended to save her turned out to be another world of tyranny and abuse. Despite extraordinary psychological challenges, Zainab started over. She forged a new identity as a champion of female victims of war, dedicating her life to speaking out on behalf of oppressed women around the world. Her unique nonprofit organization has been featured in the media numerous times, including multiple appearances by Zainab on The Oprah Winfrey Show. But until now, Zainab has never told this very personal tale.
Language:
English
ISBN:
9781592401567