Reviews

Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas D. Kristof

nglofile's review

4.0

This work is going to take some time to fully absorb, not to mention additional readings. That said, the impact is already profound. My biggest hurdle will be in discerning how best to recommend it to readers (or listeners or viewers) in a way that does it justice.

audiobook note: Cassandra Campbell offers her usual expert guidance through the material, injecting compassion and steadiness through even the most difficult content and adding dimension to the narrative.

re-read (print): May 2014

jlange64's review

4.0

This was quite an eye-opener about the injustices and oppression that women face in much of the world. I listened to this audiobook while running on the treadmill and I actually cried at one point. This book was so moving that while running I actually cried when I heard the savageness that a 3 yr old little girl suffered. I am definitely moved to do what I can to help those women less fortunate than me.

fkshg8465's review

5.0

Highlights the cruelest things people can do to women and children on one hand while also outlining the most inspiring things we can and do for each other. Lots of ways we can help too, a few of which I plan to take action on. Admit I was a little uncomfortable with the White savior complex that seemed to be prevalent all throughout but recognize that it’s more about developed nations lending a hand to countries that can use the help the most. Appreciated the stories where people of color were helping other people of color, where local people were leveraged most and best, and the caveats about charging in with good intentions that aren’t backed up by any understanding. Also really liked seeing the photographs of the women featured. That helped connect more to these women who have honored all readers by sharing the most painful events of their lives. (Very deeply grateful to those women.)

Would really like to read an updated revision in the next ten years, if the writers have the capacity to do so. Would like to see what changes, if any, can be documented since first publishing this book.

tmariea_reads's review

4.0

This is a life changing book that challenges you to act. I haven't been able to stop thinking about the lives of all the women reported on in this book and what I could do to change even one life. Highly recommended.

cfpharmd's review

4.0

Difficult read… as much as we experience inequality in America, we do not fully appreciate what inequality looks like in other areas of the world. We have at least a chance while others are doomed from birth or even the first fetal ultrasound. If only we put $1 towards people experiencing devastating inequality every time we bemoaned our own injustices…

fadedrainbows's review

4.0

Fairly interesting. I love all of the ideas for aid and helping. The issues brought up were interesting and things I did not know about before. Very good in the realm of women's studies/foreign aid.

holtfan's review

4.0

All things considered, this book holds up fairly well for being 10 years old. I would love an updated version. I first learned about human trafficking around 2008 and I know awareness has grown considerably since that time. While this book didn't tell me anything "new", it reminded me of the importance of staying aware and involved.
Overall, though, this is a powerful book that blends personal stories with facts and figures to convey what women's rights issues across the world. The authors engage in a little too much Bush-hating for my taste, but I think they do a good job addressing the concerns of varying sides of the political spectrum when tugging on the heart strings.
I disagree with their conclusion about what the role of government is in providing a solution, but I appreciate that they lay out some solutions.
A good book for awareness and a powerful read no matter how familiar you are with the issues brought forward.