Half the Sky

Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

By: Nicholas D. Kristof

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A passionate call to arms against our era’s most pervasive human rights violation—the oppression of women and girls in the developing world. From the bestselling authors of Tightrope, two of our most fiercely moral voices

With Pulitzer Prize winners Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn as our guides, we undertake an odyssey through Africa and Asia to meet the extraordinary women struggling there, among them a Cambodian teenager sold into sex slavery and an Ethiopian woman who suffered devastating injuries in childbirth. Drawing on the breadth of their combined reporting experience, Kristof and WuDunn depict our world with anger, sadness, clarity, and, ultimately, hope.

They show how a little help can transform the lives of women and girls abroad. That Cambodian girl eventually escaped from her brothel and, with assistance from an aid group, built a thriving retail business that supports her family. The Ethiopian woman had her injuries repaired and in time became a surgeon. A Zimbabwean mother of five, counseled to return to school, earned her doctorate and became an expert on AIDS.

Through these stories, Kristof and WuDunn help us see that the key to economic progress lies in unleashing women’s potential. They make clear how so many people have helped to do just that, and how we can each do our part. Throughout much of the world, the greatest unexploited economic resource is the female half of the population. Countries such as China have prospered precisely because they emancipated women and brought them into the formal economy. Unleashing that process globally is not only the right thing to do; it’s also the best strategy for fighting poverty.

Deeply felt, pragmatic, and inspirational, Half the Sky is essential reading for every global citizen.

So much I didn't know about all that goes on with young women in other places.

I loved everything about this book! I was on the edge of my seat several times with this one.

Remarkable look into being female on this planet

A must read for anyone trying to understand how we can truly empower women throughout the world. For anyone who knows that mankind is not humankind or “guys” does not include women. A truly astonishing and empowering read

A Must Read

This book sheds a light on the inequalities around the world against women and explains facts as to why we need women in leadership roles! Fantastic writing and experiences. A must read for all people and should be an assigned book for high schoolers as it may open their eyes!

La mitad del Cielo!

Imperdible lectura para sensibilizarnos sobre la terrible situación de millones de mujeres en el mundo, y motivarnos a cambiar esta injusta realidad por el bien de todos!

a literal "must read"

Everyone, and I mean everyone, needs to experience this book. Our world could change. Our world would change.

A well thought out and fair look at Women’s issues

I really appreciate this book and its fair, but thorough look at issues that affect women throughout the world and pointers on how we can help and not just throw money at the problem which oftentimes just makes the situation worse. The stories, particularly at the end are inspiring about how women have been able to overcome huge obstacles that not only better themselves, but also their community.

Life changing

This book touched me deeply. It is eye opening to listen to real stories from real people. To hear whole statistics as well as specific stories. I really liked how it kept such a formal view of each situation. The stories were not blown up with verbiage meant to pull at your heart because the factual stories themselves do that all on their own. And to see that there are programs that are more effective and less effective and why is important. This book has made me feel like I can do something about the problems and know that what I am able to do can be effective. Thank you for writing this important book Mr. Kristof. I will be sharing it with others.

Mind altering

When I first started listening to this book, I had no clue how much it would alter my perspective of the world around me. I feel inspired to make changes, spread the word, and help in the fight to educate women worldwide.
Highly recommend.

Life changing

Every bit of this book will leave an impression. The narrative, the content, the cadence and voice.

Powerful! A human right manifesto!

I love the powerful stories and their global reach. I was dismay by frequent references to Africa when referring to other nations (such as sponsoring a girl in India and in Africa). This appears to perpetuate the stereotypes of Africa as if the whole continent is a country.
I would recommend the book to anyone who cares about human rights, ministry, humanity and especially students studying helping professions.