This is the story of Mayada Al-Askari. Mayada comes from a long distinguished Iraqi family. She grew up amongst the rise of Sadddam Hussein and his eventual control of Iraq. At first, her work as a journalist was praised by the authorities. As time went on, she found herself a divorced mother of two printing non-political brochures. Then in 1999, she became a target of Saddam’s secret police. Thrown in a cell with 52 other women, this biography details her background, history, tales of growing up in Iraq and the life stories of the women who shared her cell.

This was a difficult book to read, not for the language but for the descriptions of what happened. At several times, I was forced to put the book down, only able in small doses to comprehend the brutality and depths to which not just the secret police acted but on a larger scale how humans, including women, could be treated in such a cruel and degrading manner. It was very confronting to read of the lives of people who had suffered under Saddam, as opposed to larger scale descriptions of the wrongs.

Although this book was published in 2003, the subsequent actions involving and ongoing international focus on Iraq does cause one to critically examine one’s own thoughts, feelings and attitudes to the actions in Iraq. It is ultimately the people, including the women, of that nation who will live out the consequences of the actions that anyone, including they, choose for that nation.

This is a confronting biography. Directly telling Mayada and the other women’s stories, it is not only a chilling and at times despairing look into life in the time of Saddam, but a despairing demonstration about the lack of humanity and love that humans can show towards one another. It is one thing to read about the sufferings that people as a group face. It is a much more difficult thing to read their personal, individual tales.

I feel the need with the war in Iraq to understand the mindset of the Iraqi people. This book is one women's biography under Saddam and although definitely not light reading, very well written.

it was the hardest book i have ever read in my life. In this book, Really heart breaking incidents are portrayed at the time of Saddam in iraq which are really un believable

When the rulers use fear, paranoia, blackmail, terror to control their citizen , they'll never succeed in getting the loyalty and respect from their ppl. History is teaching so..!!

People are arrested out of suspicion, undergone brutal and atrocious tortures .....wow...only frantic animals are able to do that.

very emotional for me, in some parts I felt I want to cry. But certain parts were repetitive but overall its a great book to read for those who have no idea about the Iraq's history and the terrible experience its people went through during the days of saddam.

Those poor women, don't think I'll moan ever again. Could not believe having to live like they did, wondering what the next day will bring. I did enjoy this book which is not the right thing to say, it was easy to read and I think the author brought it to life that you felt that you where suffering with them and their families. Emotional story.

This was an eye-opening first-hand account of a woman who was from a revered Iraqi family. Her family connections, however did not save her from being taken prisoner and tortured by Saddam's regime. It's worth reading if you want to know more about Iraq's dark history under Saddam. An easy read in that it's one woman's story - a difficult read from the point of view that it's absolutely horrifying what people suffered under Saddam, Uday and Qusay.

When the rulers use fear, paranoia, blackmail, terror to control their ppl, they'll never succeed in getting the loyalty and respect from their ppl. Iraq, under the tenure of Saddam Hussein seemed to be a living hell on earth, I cant even imagine living a minute in it.

Ppl are arrested out of suspicion, exposed to ridiculous, brutal and atrocious tortures.....wow...only beasts are capable do that. in this story, there are too many beasts involved, over the helpless women in cell 52 and other men.

Eventho the highlight of the story is the shadow women in cell 52, as i flipped thru each page, i cant help myself from thinking the fate of the men...iraqi teenagers, sons, husbands, fathers who received similar or heavier torture from the guards...until the last breath of their life. Too many innocent lives are wasted in the soil of iraq, some of them were reported where families can claim their lifeless bodies...and maybe most of them gone unreported; families had no idea of their loved one's whereabouts.

I'm happy that those relatively dark days were over, the new iraq was born since 2003. I really hope the justice, fairness, some common sense are restored in the beautiful land named Iraq.

oh my goodness i could not finish this book because it was just too sad, and till this day the way that poor dog was treated haunts me, and lets not even talk about how the people were treated. but it deffinently opens your eyes up more to the real world around you....

I'm still wandering if reading a book like this at this particular time was a good or bad coincidence; but I gotta say that this book captivates you in a way that you'll want to continually read it till the end.

The book gives you an idea about how human rights were violated in Iraq under the rule of Saddam Hussein. It mainly tells you the story of cell 52 in Baladiyat prison where Mayada, a well known respected family member, shared other women imprisonment and torture. The book also illustrates Iraq's history and timeline.

Well, to me it's a good read and I gotta say that this book captivates you in a way that you'll want to continually read till the very end. But I must say that sometimes I just felt that Sasson exaggerated a little bit. Also, I think that one should read other books and gather more information in order to get a complete picture about Iraq. I definitely think that I can understand "Imperial life in emerald city" better now after reading Mayada.

At Foster Library. A very eye opening book about the horrors the Iraq people have had to endure living under Saddam's reign. If Bush had made this book mandatory reading for all Americans, he would probably have received more support for the war.

This is one of those books that opened my eyes to another world. It is the true story of a woman who was jailed, without due process, in Iraq, under Saddam's reign. It's difficult to read, because her experiences are so horrific, but I think very worthwhile.

Wow! Another peek into an unimaginable life. There is no reference to food that I can make except maybe the treats found in Alice in Wonderland. This book is uncomfortable to read and does not lend itself to sipping any beverage or nibbling on any confection. Maybe tepid tap water and a piece of melba toast just for sustenance. I love the reality of it and shudder at her experiences. Thank you Mayada for opening your life to us.