Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

Women are the most under utilized resource in third world countries. By bringing you personally into each of the girl's lives, and describing in great detail each story as it unravels, you become entwined in their circumstance. You wonder if each one lives, dies or prospers through their terrifying story. Nick Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn bring the plight of injustice and brutality of women in third world countries to your heart and mind through first hand experiences. You will read about sex trade and how the men who run the brothels keep the girls addicted to drugs, about gang rapes which often end up in mutilation, causing fistulas where feces and urine can no longer be contained, about lack of health facilities, birth control and education. You will read about violence and abuse of wives, not only by their misogynistic husbands, but also by their mothers in law, and you will understand what FGM is (female genital mutilation or "cutting").

This is not an easy book to get through, it is hard and real life, but not without at least giving you some hope to help. What I took away from this, is even I can make a difference. The authors explain in detail about micro financing and how you can loan small amounts of money, which will empower women to rise above their situations. They give examples of organizations who pair you up with real people so you can see first hand your positive results. Through Organizations like Kiva, Women for Women Int., Heifer Int., Girls Learning Int., American Jewish World Service and many others, you can actually make a difference in someone's life. When I was finished, I couldn't wait to do my part. In summary, although this book is enlightening, it is also preachy, but without bringing these stories into your soul, and tugging at your conscience and heart strings there would be no change in the world....change that is so badly needed.

The book itself is excellent, although very intense. Eye-opening about the extent of violence against women and girls, and inspiring in terms of the stories of people who have challenged the status quo and brought about important changes.

However, be aware that this unabridged book is abridged in some places. I was reading along in my Kindle version, while listening, only to discover that a section of text was left out. At the end of Chapter 4, the print version has this text included in the last paragraph, but it is eliminated from the Audible version: "In 2009, Mukhtar married a policeman who had long pleaded for her hand. She became his second wife, making Mukhtar an odd emblem of women's rights, but the marriage proceeded only after the first wife convinced Mukhtar that this was what she genuinely wanted. It was another unusual chapter in an unusual life."

I haven't been comparing the print and Audible versions systematically, but now I'm wondering what else was eliminated (censored?). If the book were listed as abridged, I would have no problem with text being left out. But the fact it's identified as unabridged and then eliminates text makes me angry and mistrustful of other Audible books. Add to this the fact that the text that was eliminated contains content that would be uncomfortable to many Western, Christian sensibilities and I get even more angry. Is someone censoring Audible's books?

Still listening to it but I am sorry I am hearing it instead of reading it. The narrator sounds like she is reading a menu. The subject is so compelling and overwhelmning but that is DESPITE the robot rendition. Maybe you can`t dramatize a non-fiction book and it would be inappropriate to have a narrator screeching and screaming but the flat automaton read style does not work. But this is just my personal take - the content is enough to change your mind forever.

Truly, a wonderful book -- if you care about human rights and, more importantly, want to read a riveting book at the same time, you will love it. There are many anecdotes throughout about real life situations that are happening today all over the world; in particular, the abuse of women. However, rather than just telling about the plight of women, the authors cite many positive examples of how providing women freedom brings benefits to nations, and refers to China as a glowing example. This book opens your eyes wide and it has changed my view completely and I will begin to focus more on causes that help girls and education. Reading some of the Amazon reviews for this book provides much information on how to get involved, written by people already involved and knowledgeable. The book is an eye opener because it is truly incredulous to hear about what goes on regarding women still, today, in many countries This is a must read for everyone. It must be understood by all how much of a sad waste of resources lies in bringing women into the fold of society in a positive way, instead of using them as slaves and worse.

I was really looking forward to this book because not only the subject matter, but the women facing extraordinary challenges need much more attention. This book could have been really amazing, but I found the narrator to be tiresome and monotone. There was no energy, no realness, no compassion in her voice, there were just words. In terms of the writing style, it was repetitive and at times it was preachy.

In all, the message is obviously worthwhile and the personal stories about individual women really make this book, which is why I gave it three stars and not less. But the narration was subpar and I gave up on it. I'm going to read it instead.

This book is an incredible expose that should be mandatory reading for everyone in the "free world." Others out there are not as "free" as we think!

This is a book everyone needs to read... men and women! Well written, shilling, inspiring, and though provoking but more important action provoking! This is not just a book you ask someone after reading "what you think"- you ask "what did you do!"

Admittedly, I watched the PBS special before reading this book, and fell in love with the individual stories of courage against the odds and the power of individuals to make a substantive difference. Listening to the book was indeed, a transformative experience. In addition, it is well-researched and a balanced portrayal of global women's fight against inequity.
The narration was at times robotic, however, I have to give kudos to the narrator for taking the time to learn how to properly pronounce complex names of places and individuals.

YEs I would listen to this book again so I don't forget.

The narrator seems to be genuinely concerned about the issues discussed in the book. Therefore it makes for a better read/Listening experience.

I first heard of this on PBS watching the documentary version of the book. Then I borrowed the audio book from the library and after listening decided that I needed to own this. It is a very inspirational telling of women's issues in other countries. I learned a lot about issues I thought I knew about, but it turned out I knew nothing at all about, and it has moved me to try to find a way to support women in other countries to move toward equality and fair treatment. Hopefully it will inspire you as well and if you have the resources, move you to change the lives of so many women that desperately need it.