Daring to Drive Audiobook By Manal al-Sharif cover art

Daring to Drive

A Saudi Woman's Awakening

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Daring to Drive

By: Manal al-Sharif
Narrated by: Lameece Issaq
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“A vital, inspiring book” (O, The Oprah Magazine)—a ferociously intimate memoir by a devout woman from a modest family in Saudi Arabia who became the unexpected leader of the courageous movement that won Saudi women the right to drive.

Manal al-Sharif grew up in Mecca the second daughter of a taxi driver, born the year strict fundamentalism took hold. In her adolescence, she was a religious radical, melting her brother’s boy band cassettes in the oven because music was haram: forbidden by Islamic law. But what a difference an education can make. By her twenties Manal was a computer security engineer, one of few women working in a desert compound built to resemble suburban America. That’s when the Saudi kingdom’s contradictions became too much to bear: she was labeled a slut for chatting with male colleagues, her school-age brother chaperoned her on a business trip, and while she kept a car in the garage, she was forbidden from driving on Saudi streets.

Manal al-Sharif’s memoir is an “eye-opening” (The Christian Science Monitor) account of the making of an accidental activist, a vivid story of a young Muslim woman who stood up to a kingdom of men—and won. Daring to Drive is “a brave, extraordinary, heartbreakingly personal” (Associated Press) celebration of resilience in the face of tyranny and “a testament to how women in Muslim countries are helping change their culture, one step at a time” (New York Journal of Books). Activists Arabian Peninsula Biographies & Memoirs Cultural & Regional Gender Studies Middle East Politics & Activism Social Sciences Women Iran Saudi Arabia Royalty Inspiring Thought-Provoking Heartfelt Africa

Critic reviews

“A vital, inspiring book.”
“A brave, extraordinary, heartbreakingly personal story of one woman’s battle for equal rights.... The book provides a rare glimpse into... the hearts and minds of people who live in a society that is mostly off-limits to Westerners. [Al-Sharif's] literary achievement is that despite the huge cultural differences, Daring to Drive shows that Saudi women and men have dreams and fears much like our own.”
“Future generations will marvel at Manal al-Sharif, whose voice is laden with quiet dignity even at its most urgent. Her gripping account of homegrown courage will speak to the fighter in all of us.” (Deborah Feldman, New York Times bestselling author of Unorthodox)
“An astonishing, humble, truthful book, more illuminating than a hundred newspaper stories on Saudi Arabia. Manal is no Chanel-draped, chauffeur-driven Saudi princess. Her account of why a single working mother’s life compelled her to confront the kingdom’s fiercely patriarchal ways is touching and revealing in equal measure.” (Azadeh Moaveni, author of Lipstick Jihad)
“Remarkable.”
“Inspiring.”
“Eye-opening... [and] compelling.”
“A captivating read. Manal al-Sharif refuses to hide her scars, unveiling what she endured and sacrificed to become a professional who has fearlessly pushed the boundaries of tradition.” (Elena Gorokhova, author of Russian Tattoo)
“There are vignettes of laughter and love... [and] glimpses of rich, vibrant Arab life.... A testament to how women in Muslim countries are helping change their culture, one step at a time.”
“Fascinating, powerful, and heartbreaking... a truly eye-opening read.”
“Remarkable. Manal al-Sharif invites us to ride with her to bend the arc of history towards equality and justice.” (Rula Jebreal, international bestselling author of Miral)
“If you’re searching for an inspiring memoir, Daring to Drive should be on your must-read list.”
“An intimate look at life for women growing up in Saudi Arabia and the challenges of seeking major social change.”
“Al-Sharif’s transformation from religious radical to feminist champion is incredibly inspiring.”
“Daring to Drive is an important book.... Al-Sharif tells her story in clear, readable prose... [and] provides readers with unusual insight into what it means to be a woman under Wahhabi.”
“Compelling.”
“An intimate and powerful book from what is hopefully only the first of many Saudi voices to speak out.”
Compelling Story • Eye-opening Account • Excellent Narration • Inspiring Memoir • Moving Testimony • Rich Detail

Highly rated for:

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A strong woman that is going against all the society in Saudi Arabia! Loved this book!
The Narrator Lameece Issaq did a great job speaking Manal’s voice! She gave me strong emotions when listening to her!

Great story

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I enjoyed reading about Manal's struggles living in a society that does not respect women. Not allowing women to drive is just one of the problems that women and girls face in Saudi Arabia. I see a revolution or an enlightened leader in the future of this nation. The system won't survive otherwise.

The story of Women living in Saudi Arabia

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A must read. Inspirational! The story of a woman that did not give up and continues to believe things will change for women.

Riveting

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Fabulous book. Eye opening. Truly remarkable what Manal has experienced and her will to drive change to help women in Saudi.

Outstanding autobiography

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Beautifully written, educational, and quite moving! Best book I have read and listened to in 2017! Please do read/listen. Well done! KHS

Favorite book for 2017

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