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Barefoot in Baghdad: A Story of Identity—My Own and What It Means to Be a Woman in Chaos
"Walk barefoot and the thorns will hurt you…" —Iraqi-Turkmen proverb
A riveting story of hope and despair, of elation and longing, Barefoot in Baghdad takes you to the front lines of a different kind of battle, where the unsung freedom fighters are strong, vibrant—and female.
An American aid worker of Arab descent, Manal Omar moves to Iraq to help as many women as she can rebuild their lives. She quickly finds herself drawn into the saga of a people determined to rise from the ashes of war and sanctions and rebuild their lives in the face of crushing chaos. This is a chronicle of Omar's friendships with several Iraqis whose lives are crumbling before her eyes. It is a tale of love, as her relationship with one Iraqi man intensifies in a country in turmoil. And it is the heartrending stories of the women of Iraq, as they grapple with what it means to be female in a homeland you no longer recognize.
"Manal Omar captures the complex reality of living and working in war-torn Iraq, a reality that tells the story of love and hope in the midst of bombs and explosions."—Zainab Salbi, founder and CEO of Women for Women International, and author (with Laurie Becklund) of the national bestselling book Between Two Escape from Growing Up in the Shadow of Saddam
"A fascinating, honest, and inspiring portrait of a women's rights activist in Iraq, struggling to help local women while exploring her own identity. Manal Omar is a skilled guide into Iraq, as she understands the region, speaks Arabic, and wears the veil. At turns funny and tragic, she carries a powerful message for women, and delivers it through beautiful storytelling."—Christina Asquith, author of Sisters in A Story of Love, Family and Survival in the New Iraq
"At turns funny and tragic…a powerful message for women, [delivered] through beautiful storytelling."—Christina Asquith, author of Sisters in War
A riveting story of hope and despair, of elation and longing, Barefoot in Baghdad takes you to the front lines of a different kind of battle, where the unsung freedom fighters are strong, vibrant—and female.
An American aid worker of Arab descent, Manal Omar moves to Iraq to help as many women as she can rebuild their lives. She quickly finds herself drawn into the saga of a people determined to rise from the ashes of war and sanctions and rebuild their lives in the face of crushing chaos. This is a chronicle of Omar's friendships with several Iraqis whose lives are crumbling before her eyes. It is a tale of love, as her relationship with one Iraqi man intensifies in a country in turmoil. And it is the heartrending stories of the women of Iraq, as they grapple with what it means to be female in a homeland you no longer recognize.
"Manal Omar captures the complex reality of living and working in war-torn Iraq, a reality that tells the story of love and hope in the midst of bombs and explosions."—Zainab Salbi, founder and CEO of Women for Women International, and author (with Laurie Becklund) of the national bestselling book Between Two Escape from Growing Up in the Shadow of Saddam
"A fascinating, honest, and inspiring portrait of a women's rights activist in Iraq, struggling to help local women while exploring her own identity. Manal Omar is a skilled guide into Iraq, as she understands the region, speaks Arabic, and wears the veil. At turns funny and tragic, she carries a powerful message for women, and delivers it through beautiful storytelling."—Christina Asquith, author of Sisters in A Story of Love, Family and Survival in the New Iraq
"At turns funny and tragic…a powerful message for women, [delivered] through beautiful storytelling."—Christina Asquith, author of Sisters in War
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 9, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
September 13, 2010
[Note: the copy I read was titled Barefoot in Baghdad.
Barefoot in Baghdad is going to be a hard book for me to review because I have very mixed feelings about it.
First, let me make it clear that I applaud the author for the work she was, and is, doing. I have nothing but respect and admiration for that.
The author, who describes herself as an Arab, an American, a Palestinian, a Southerner, a Muslim, and a woman, traveled to Iraq as an American aid worker. In addition, she chooses traditional dress, which is a help is some instances but establishes a barrier in others. She is caught between worlds, seen as too traditional by some and too modern and too American by others.
The story is touted as beautifully written but I didn't find it so. In the finished, published edition there were mistakes that grated. When she was discussing the English language shortcomings of some of the Iraqis, did she really mean “an emerging pigeon English language”? And had Fadi really “slammed on the breaks”? Fortunately, either there were fewer mistakes in the later pages or I just didn't notice them as much.
The problems for me started in the introduction with the sentence, “But I could not exonerate the United States for its role in allowing Iraq to devolve into violence.” I am not and never have been a fan of the American war in Iraq and know that much has been handled very badly, but throughout the book she seems to blame the U. S. for even the problems that were not of its making. As a humanitarian aid worker, she understandably wants to keep her distance from the military, and yet she relies on it for favors, including a ride out of the country when she had delayed too long for other options. It felt to me there was too much finger-pointing and not enough cooperation.
The author came across to me as too arrogant and self-important. Immediately on meeting her staff of men she writes:
I jumped in to try to break the ice again. “Well, that's all good. But at the end of the day it's still a bit odd. Women for Women, and all I see in front of me are four men. We are going to have to change that.”
I can't see it being a very effective ice-breaker to immediately make your new co-workers wonder if they are going to lose their jobs because they are not female. I have to say that the men with whom she worked closely were courageous, loyal, and helpful beyond any expectations. I really admired them.
When Ms. Omar is trying to find a safe place for one 16-year-old prostitute who ran away from her abusive husband whom she was forced to marry at 13, she speaks to a woman who runs an orphanage for 300 girls but cannot take this one, or others like her, because of the cultural implications and dangers.
Before I left I asked her, “If you know the need is there, why don't you fight to create something for these girls?”
It seemed very judgmental to say such a thing to a woman trying to protect 300 girls because the woman can't also protect the ones not allowed in the orphanage. Yet a few pages later, the author, still trying to find a safe place for the girl, visits a “special needs” orphanage that was hell on earth, left the child there, and immediately returned to get her again because she couldn't leave her there. So the same could be said about the author: If you know the need is there, why don't you fight to create something for these children? I know that she cannot do everything, but neither could the woman running the girls' orphanage.
These are just some of the things that caused me to like the book less than I expected. I wanted more stories of the women she helped, and she undoubtedly did help women, and less of her life in Iraq. The story was engaging but not as well written as I had hoped. Even after writing this review, I still have mixed feelings about the book.
A free copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher.
Barefoot in Baghdad is going to be a hard book for me to review because I have very mixed feelings about it.
First, let me make it clear that I applaud the author for the work she was, and is, doing. I have nothing but respect and admiration for that.
The author, who describes herself as an Arab, an American, a Palestinian, a Southerner, a Muslim, and a woman, traveled to Iraq as an American aid worker. In addition, she chooses traditional dress, which is a help is some instances but establishes a barrier in others. She is caught between worlds, seen as too traditional by some and too modern and too American by others.
The story is touted as beautifully written but I didn't find it so. In the finished, published edition there were mistakes that grated. When she was discussing the English language shortcomings of some of the Iraqis, did she really mean “an emerging pigeon English language”? And had Fadi really “slammed on the breaks”? Fortunately, either there were fewer mistakes in the later pages or I just didn't notice them as much.
The problems for me started in the introduction with the sentence, “But I could not exonerate the United States for its role in allowing Iraq to devolve into violence.” I am not and never have been a fan of the American war in Iraq and know that much has been handled very badly, but throughout the book she seems to blame the U. S. for even the problems that were not of its making. As a humanitarian aid worker, she understandably wants to keep her distance from the military, and yet she relies on it for favors, including a ride out of the country when she had delayed too long for other options. It felt to me there was too much finger-pointing and not enough cooperation.
The author came across to me as too arrogant and self-important. Immediately on meeting her staff of men she writes:
I jumped in to try to break the ice again. “Well, that's all good. But at the end of the day it's still a bit odd. Women for Women, and all I see in front of me are four men. We are going to have to change that.”
I can't see it being a very effective ice-breaker to immediately make your new co-workers wonder if they are going to lose their jobs because they are not female. I have to say that the men with whom she worked closely were courageous, loyal, and helpful beyond any expectations. I really admired them.
When Ms. Omar is trying to find a safe place for one 16-year-old prostitute who ran away from her abusive husband whom she was forced to marry at 13, she speaks to a woman who runs an orphanage for 300 girls but cannot take this one, or others like her, because of the cultural implications and dangers.
Before I left I asked her, “If you know the need is there, why don't you fight to create something for these girls?”
It seemed very judgmental to say such a thing to a woman trying to protect 300 girls because the woman can't also protect the ones not allowed in the orphanage. Yet a few pages later, the author, still trying to find a safe place for the girl, visits a “special needs” orphanage that was hell on earth, left the child there, and immediately returned to get her again because she couldn't leave her there. So the same could be said about the author: If you know the need is there, why don't you fight to create something for these children? I know that she cannot do everything, but neither could the woman running the girls' orphanage.
These are just some of the things that caused me to like the book less than I expected. I wanted more stories of the women she helped, and she undoubtedly did help women, and less of her life in Iraq. The story was engaging but not as well written as I had hoped. Even after writing this review, I still have mixed feelings about the book.
A free copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher.
December 13, 2010
I really enjoyed the book and disagree with those who consider the book anti-American. It is not a requirement to blindly agree and follow the government or military, but I digress.
While I do wish that the book had information regarding the women that Ms. Omar met I still found the book to be a compelling read regarding some of the atrocities that happen to the people of Iraq. I believe the book provided a personal element to what can sometimes be just an impersonal piece of news to some of us here state side.
While I do wish that the book had information regarding the women that Ms. Omar met I still found the book to be a compelling read regarding some of the atrocities that happen to the people of Iraq. I believe the book provided a personal element to what can sometimes be just an impersonal piece of news to some of us here state side.
September 27, 2010
I was actually unable to finish this, but I paid ten dollars for it so I am stating my opinion.
I hated it. It is very anti American. I'm surprised Sourcebooks picked it up because they have normally chosen their publications very well.
You got a woman, born in Saudi Arabia, of Palestine descent who has had the opportunity to live the American dream. While she has been living comfortably in America as a citizen with all the benefits, Iraq has been under Saddam and living in oppression and with fear of being shot for whatever reason. But this woman travels to Iraq and on every other page, speaks against the Iraq war and the American government. At first, I thought she is entitled to her opinion, but when she started saying stuff like this: "I strongly believed that the U.S. forces in Iraq would bring nothing but destruction to the country," I threw the book against the wall.
Throughout all her ranting, she is meeting Iraqi people that are happy to be free of Saddam, pleased to be allowed to speak their minds without fear of being shot or sent to Iran, enjoying internet and American movies, and women happy not to cover themselves. As one Iraqi says to her, "Only you see the Americans as an enemy. We do not."
Dear author, Thousands of American soldiers died so the Iraqis could use the internet and watch American movies. And they were doing their jobs. These guys are away from their kids and their wives for sometimes a year or more. Coming from a military oriented family, I can't read this extreme criticism of their accomplishments. I guess the author would prefer Iraq still be under Saddam?
I hated it. It is very anti American. I'm surprised Sourcebooks picked it up because they have normally chosen their publications very well.
You got a woman, born in Saudi Arabia, of Palestine descent who has had the opportunity to live the American dream. While she has been living comfortably in America as a citizen with all the benefits, Iraq has been under Saddam and living in oppression and with fear of being shot for whatever reason. But this woman travels to Iraq and on every other page, speaks against the Iraq war and the American government. At first, I thought she is entitled to her opinion, but when she started saying stuff like this: "I strongly believed that the U.S. forces in Iraq would bring nothing but destruction to the country," I threw the book against the wall.
Throughout all her ranting, she is meeting Iraqi people that are happy to be free of Saddam, pleased to be allowed to speak their minds without fear of being shot or sent to Iran, enjoying internet and American movies, and women happy not to cover themselves. As one Iraqi says to her, "Only you see the Americans as an enemy. We do not."
Dear author, Thousands of American soldiers died so the Iraqis could use the internet and watch American movies. And they were doing their jobs. These guys are away from their kids and their wives for sometimes a year or more. Coming from a military oriented family, I can't read this extreme criticism of their accomplishments. I guess the author would prefer Iraq still be under Saddam?
April 16, 2014
Manal is an American Muslim who follows Muslim traditions and chooses to wear a veil. She seeks out opportunity to return to Iraq, a country she fell in love with years ago and becomes the director of a small organization to assist women in Iraq; the women who are primary breadwinners but unskilled, widows, divorced women, and others.
The story begins with Manal attempting to assist Kalthoum, a 16 year old girl who was married off at the age of 13, raped and abused, and escapes to the streets to become a prostitute. Manal's mission is to find a safe place for this girl before her family claims her and honorably executes her for dirtying their name.
This is a strong beginning and grabs my attention. Unfortunately, there are few things within the pages that hold my attention. Most of the book is Omar telling the reader about the politics of Iraq, including the different organizations and brutally painting the United States soldiers as insensitive and uncouth, describing their poor decisions regarding the war in Iraq, its occupation, and organizations that were wrong. At the same time, Omar contrasts her own work and decisions to live among the Iraqi downtrodden, her embracing of the Iraqi way, her sensitivity and Muslim lifestyle, and occasionally includes a brief story of her work as a humanitarian aid worker.
What disappointed me about this book is that I found Omar's agenda to be splashed on nearly every page that the military was wrong and she wanted nothing to do with them. She was an aid worker and balked at any association. She briefly concedes that life under Saddam Hussein was unbearable and the Iraqi people, particularly the downtrodden, saw the toppling of the old government as a new beginning yet she is relentless in pointing out the wrongness of the war in Iraq. Never does she acknowledge that the work she is able to do is directly related to Saddam's overthrown government. Not only that, but time after time, it is (begrudgingly on her part) through the military that she is often able to break through barriers and dead ends.
I really enjoyed Omar's personal stories that lacked political overtones. I did enjoy understanding more about the culture and the difficulty she had reconciling women given the Iraqi way. I enjoyed the developing relationship between her and one of the Iraqi men. I was bored reading about the organizations she felt were doing nothing or harm to the culture. Although not a fan of the Iraqi occupation, I came away feeling defensive of the U.S. government's military personnel and deeply offended by Omar's dismissal of the sacrifices made by the United States to overturn tyranny.
The story begins with Manal attempting to assist Kalthoum, a 16 year old girl who was married off at the age of 13, raped and abused, and escapes to the streets to become a prostitute. Manal's mission is to find a safe place for this girl before her family claims her and honorably executes her for dirtying their name.
This is a strong beginning and grabs my attention. Unfortunately, there are few things within the pages that hold my attention. Most of the book is Omar telling the reader about the politics of Iraq, including the different organizations and brutally painting the United States soldiers as insensitive and uncouth, describing their poor decisions regarding the war in Iraq, its occupation, and organizations that were wrong. At the same time, Omar contrasts her own work and decisions to live among the Iraqi downtrodden, her embracing of the Iraqi way, her sensitivity and Muslim lifestyle, and occasionally includes a brief story of her work as a humanitarian aid worker.
What disappointed me about this book is that I found Omar's agenda to be splashed on nearly every page that the military was wrong and she wanted nothing to do with them. She was an aid worker and balked at any association. She briefly concedes that life under Saddam Hussein was unbearable and the Iraqi people, particularly the downtrodden, saw the toppling of the old government as a new beginning yet she is relentless in pointing out the wrongness of the war in Iraq. Never does she acknowledge that the work she is able to do is directly related to Saddam's overthrown government. Not only that, but time after time, it is (begrudgingly on her part) through the military that she is often able to break through barriers and dead ends.
I really enjoyed Omar's personal stories that lacked political overtones. I did enjoy understanding more about the culture and the difficulty she had reconciling women given the Iraqi way. I enjoyed the developing relationship between her and one of the Iraqi men. I was bored reading about the organizations she felt were doing nothing or harm to the culture. Although not a fan of the Iraqi occupation, I came away feeling defensive of the U.S. government's military personnel and deeply offended by Omar's dismissal of the sacrifices made by the United States to overturn tyranny.
September 20, 2016
I liked this book better then I thought I would. It's a memoir of Manal Omar as she went to Baghdad to work for an international aid group trying to help Iraqi women get a better life. She is very candid about the struggles of being a Muslim-American who doesn't seem to be accepted by either side very easily. She was very honest about her struggles, her prejudices, and how some of her decisions didn't prove very effective. I liked that she was able to admit her failures just as much as her successes.
I did struggle with the fact that Manal chose to focus on her life - she would talk about her Saturday morning routines, her friends, and the struggles with her family accepting what she wanted to do with her life. I think that it's good to be open about that stuff because it helps you relate to her, but I wanted to know more about what her organization did. The few stories that she talked about didn't really give me a clear picture of what they were trying to do. I know that they were teaching some classes and they had some discussion groups, but beyond that I couldn't understand.
I did struggle with the fact that Manal chose to focus on her life - she would talk about her Saturday morning routines, her friends, and the struggles with her family accepting what she wanted to do with her life. I think that it's good to be open about that stuff because it helps you relate to her, but I wanted to know more about what her organization did. The few stories that she talked about didn't really give me a clear picture of what they were trying to do. I know that they were teaching some classes and they had some discussion groups, but beyond that I couldn't understand.
March 4, 2018
This is a great story, but it needed to be better edited. It's weighed down with unnecessary detail and then main themes aren't completed.
August 15, 2018
I really REALLY wanted to like this book. After all it got great reviews, the description was beautifully written, the topic/premise sounded gripping, and it may or may not have been on sale at my local library. Not to mention that every chance I get I jump on the opportunity to learn about other cultures (hi fellow Americans), so I was even more excited to read about Iraq.
I was sourly disappointed.
The writing style is one of two huge problems I had with this book. It wasn't engaging, didn't flow, and over used words to an extreme extent. It was tiring and boring by the time I got half way through. It just simply wasn't written properly, nothing else to be said.
Number two, under delivering on themes. A lot was promised in this book, it was suppose to be about identity, humanitarian aid, love, witnessing war, telling the stories of women, and female empowerment. Now I completely understand writing about traumatic events, juggling so many themes, and having real life not flow in an orderly plot formation as being difficult to write about but that doesn't excuse proper development of a book. If not for the description on the back, I would have been totally caught off guard in many scenes and utterly confused. Information, plot, and themes are very disorganized and are quite honestly brought up randomly.
So overall, I did not like this book at all. I will give it credit for helping me find an amazing aid organization that I will be donating to, but besides that it didn't do me any favors. I am thankful I got to read Ms. Omar's story, and I did learn from it, but it wasn't for me.
I was sourly disappointed.
The writing style is one of two huge problems I had with this book. It wasn't engaging, didn't flow, and over used words to an extreme extent. It was tiring and boring by the time I got half way through. It just simply wasn't written properly, nothing else to be said.
Number two, under delivering on themes. A lot was promised in this book, it was suppose to be about identity, humanitarian aid, love, witnessing war, telling the stories of women, and female empowerment. Now I completely understand writing about traumatic events, juggling so many themes, and having real life not flow in an orderly plot formation as being difficult to write about but that doesn't excuse proper development of a book. If not for the description on the back, I would have been totally caught off guard in many scenes and utterly confused. Information, plot, and themes are very disorganized and are quite honestly brought up randomly.
So overall, I did not like this book at all. I will give it credit for helping me find an amazing aid organization that I will be donating to, but besides that it didn't do me any favors. I am thankful I got to read Ms. Omar's story, and I did learn from it, but it wasn't for me.
January 18, 2021
An eye-catching title, this isn't one of your fiction infused war accounts with a happy ending. While the story is slightly slow, you do end up connecting with the characters of her story. The author gives an honest insight into her 'work in progress' towards the betterment of women in war-torn Iraq as an Arab American aid worker; reflective of the many women and their efforts and struggles through and post-war zone. I particularly liked how she tries to find normal even amidst the chaos.
January 24, 2013
Barefoot in baghdad has been successful in creating pathos and touching my heart greatly. It is probably because I myself am a muslim living in a country torn and vindicted by war. Although I am not being affected directly by it but the overall tension and atmosphere of distrust is heartwrenching. I think this novel by Manl Omer is a very small part of the picture she is trying to build. I dont think anyone could write about the atrocities and harsh difficulties faced by the iraqi civilians. Their only fault is that they have been tied up in the events of a terrible and fatal war. But they are determined and hopeful for a brighter tomorrow.
And this is what Manal Omer might be trying to do; telling the world about their awe inspiring struggle to secure their futures. And the fact that this a memoir makes the story all the better. I have seen the religious maturity she has gained. Her middle eastern roots that she wants to discover is not necessarily her ancestoral roots it could he her cultural and religious roots. That the fact that many of her statements are conflicting portrays her inner struggle and turmoil at the enfolding of different events and their impact on her work. The slight touch of romance and fairytalish effect that she has successfully added in her book is a surplus. As a muslim girl I know the conflicting emotions or thereof lackof emotions or misjudgement of emotions is quiet possible and expected. Reading this book from a muslim it seems perfect but reading it as a non islamic member of the society,the norms and social morals and values and the authors point of veiw might seem prejudiced, at times absurd and very conservative. The book is inspiring and gives a vivid image of the hurdles faced by the iraqi women as the part of a country on war. It highlights the problems faced by the aid workers working in Iraq and the reluctance of the iraqi's to trust the americans. This novel also shows the ignorance and innocence of the young soliders posted in Iraq. And conveys the mesdsage that with love and hope all can be conquered. At the end of the novel she accepts the fact that Iraqi's can only find freedom with their own power and strongwill. It can also be percieved that until there is love all can be captured.
And this is what Manal Omer might be trying to do; telling the world about their awe inspiring struggle to secure their futures. And the fact that this a memoir makes the story all the better. I have seen the religious maturity she has gained. Her middle eastern roots that she wants to discover is not necessarily her ancestoral roots it could he her cultural and religious roots. That the fact that many of her statements are conflicting portrays her inner struggle and turmoil at the enfolding of different events and their impact on her work. The slight touch of romance and fairytalish effect that she has successfully added in her book is a surplus. As a muslim girl I know the conflicting emotions or thereof lackof emotions or misjudgement of emotions is quiet possible and expected. Reading this book from a muslim it seems perfect but reading it as a non islamic member of the society,the norms and social morals and values and the authors point of veiw might seem prejudiced, at times absurd and very conservative. The book is inspiring and gives a vivid image of the hurdles faced by the iraqi women as the part of a country on war. It highlights the problems faced by the aid workers working in Iraq and the reluctance of the iraqi's to trust the americans. This novel also shows the ignorance and innocence of the young soliders posted in Iraq. And conveys the mesdsage that with love and hope all can be conquered. At the end of the novel she accepts the fact that Iraqi's can only find freedom with their own power and strongwill. It can also be percieved that until there is love all can be captured.
December 6, 2015
"Barefoot in Baghdad" for me, is possibly one of the best books I've read.
When I first grabbed this book from my library, my first thought was "Probably another war book...with fictional characters trying in to reenact people in their situation." Reluctantly I began reading, immediately regretting my first thoughts.
I've always known about the Iraq war, a war which started because the US believed it had "weapons of mass destruction" and always felt neutral about it like any other war. Like, "What can I do? Nothing except pray for the best for these people." As a result, I've never felt anything when I hear about news like this. But reading Manal's memoir...uncovered a new emotion inside of me. The way she illustrated everything, from Iraq before the war and the pain that occurred during the war made me feel...I don't know. Taken aback I guess, as these were views a REAL person was seeing, not some random fictional character the author made up along with the story. What really got to me was the story its self. With the emotion rides in Manal's story, one couldn't help but feel awed that this was real. When certain people died/murdered in the book (won't say who) I couldn't help but cry. I couldn't get over the fact that these people WERE REAL and they had to suffer this, that Manal and her companions encountered this. It was too much for my teenage mind. However, it did bring a new awareness to human life, how these people on the news are really suffering; how while I'm sitting in my bed safe, there are many people who at this moment, are trying to hide from the bombs falling from the sky, from getting shot.
The other big impact this book had on me was the realization that change is possible. Manal was determined to make the lives of the women in Iraq better and kept returning until she could make that difference. Her actions deeply moved my and has inspired me to do the same: to instead of just watching these people and think "it will eventually get better," to instead GO and help these people and make them better.
I hope everyone gives a try to this book and will feel as inspired as I was from "Barefoot in Baghdad."
When I first grabbed this book from my library, my first thought was "Probably another war book...with fictional characters trying in to reenact people in their situation." Reluctantly I began reading, immediately regretting my first thoughts.
I've always known about the Iraq war, a war which started because the US believed it had "weapons of mass destruction" and always felt neutral about it like any other war. Like, "What can I do? Nothing except pray for the best for these people." As a result, I've never felt anything when I hear about news like this. But reading Manal's memoir...uncovered a new emotion inside of me. The way she illustrated everything, from Iraq before the war and the pain that occurred during the war made me feel...I don't know. Taken aback I guess, as these were views a REAL person was seeing, not some random fictional character the author made up along with the story. What really got to me was the story its self. With the emotion rides in Manal's story, one couldn't help but feel awed that this was real. When certain people died/murdered in the book (won't say who) I couldn't help but cry. I couldn't get over the fact that these people WERE REAL and they had to suffer this, that Manal and her companions encountered this. It was too much for my teenage mind. However, it did bring a new awareness to human life, how these people on the news are really suffering; how while I'm sitting in my bed safe, there are many people who at this moment, are trying to hide from the bombs falling from the sky, from getting shot.
The other big impact this book had on me was the realization that change is possible. Manal was determined to make the lives of the women in Iraq better and kept returning until she could make that difference. Her actions deeply moved my and has inspired me to do the same: to instead of just watching these people and think "it will eventually get better," to instead GO and help these people and make them better.
I hope everyone gives a try to this book and will feel as inspired as I was from "Barefoot in Baghdad."
April 24, 2016
I really tried to finish this book, but just couldn't do it. It's like a movie that you only want to finish because you started it, but then when it ends you wonder why you didn't just stop watching it. I stopped and went back to this book too many times. I kept thinking it would get better and really have something to say, but it just rambled on and on without much direction or point that kept my interest.
The story of Women for Women International I think could have been good, but it was just so poorly covered. I would have like to have seen a different perspective of the Iraq war and the turmoil it created for the Iraqi people, but it never drew me in. I did get almost three quarters through the book, but finally put it down for good.
Definitely do not recommend this book.
The story of Women for Women International I think could have been good, but it was just so poorly covered. I would have like to have seen a different perspective of the Iraq war and the turmoil it created for the Iraqi people, but it never drew me in. I did get almost three quarters through the book, but finally put it down for good.
Definitely do not recommend this book.
August 14, 2010
This book was a page turner from day 1. I kept on finding creative ways to sneak away for "just one more chapter!" Very well written and gives the reader an eye opening look at the life of an aid-worker in Iraq during the Iraq war. My heart went out to every one of the female characters Manal tried her hardest to assist. I found myself engulfed in tears when she recounts how she made Yusuf and the others turn the car around to go back to the orphanage, knowing she couldn't bear leaving her there. It was also refreshingly humorous as she recounts their "pig out feasts" and her love story with finding love in a time of despair. A must read!
March 9, 2011
i tried. honestly. i WANTED to feel moved by this woman who chose to help other women in a war-torn country. I'm giving up 1/2 way through - I'm so tired of her running into her preconceived attitudes and opinions, and hearing her strive to see past "the war we should never have been in", that the voices of those she meets get buried. there are dribbles of interactions rather than having those be the meat of the book. this was more of a 28 year old woman's odyssey to discover that the multi-cultural life she thought she lived (her "secret weapon") was a fallacy. disappointing.
February 7, 2015
I promised myself that this year I would finish every book that I start, but I sure would have liked to put this one down much earlier. I thought the book would be more about the women of Iraq, their stories and triumphs but instead the author talks about her own difficulties in working for a NGO in a worn torn country. I found her depressing and the book uninspiring, however I did some research on Women for Women International and like what they do, so I have signed on to support them in their work. So one good thing did come out of me reading this book.
August 25, 2010
I normally consider myself open minded but after reading complaints and jabs about the American military for several chapters I'd had enough. I was too offended to continue reading.
March 16, 2013
This was a horrible book. It was written so poorly. Dry, uninteresting, anti-American. Wish I hadn't of spent money to buy it!
August 2, 2013
As a student doing research on Iraqi women experiences during the war, this book added almost nothing to my knowledge! not much about women's struggles in depth...
December 7, 2023
A couple of years ago, I didn't know much about Iraq or its culture. I had wanted to visit the country as it was still under the rule of Saddam. Unfortunately, that never happened. So when the company I work for asked me to stop over in Baghdad on a 3-day mission, I took this book with me to read on the plane. It was a smart decision: landing in Baghdad's international airport felt like stepping back in time, from the architecture to the infrastructure and even the (mostly) male workers, and their mustaches, and although I did not have a lot of free time planned for my trip, the narrative would be an excellent companion at night. Driving into Baghdad and our quarters was a silent ride, me gasping at the remnants of what appeared to be a colossal civilization on the brink of falling: huge abandoned parks, enormous cement blocks on certain streets to prevent or redirect traffic, unfinished, half-erect monumental constructions with high fences to prevent any unwanted entrance. I couldn't wait for the evening to start reading...
Manal Omar was born to Palestinian parents in Saudi Arabia. The family moved to the USA when she was just 6 months old and she grew up to be an American citizen. She is a practicing Muslim and had decided to move to Iraq to assist women in rebuilding their lives. Being a humanitarian worker of Arab descent grants her access, and sometimes also gets her in trouble in dealing with officials. Living in a war-torn country is not always an easy task, and when you are a foreigner things can get complicated. And at times dangerous. The author depicts her relationships with many Iraqi women and men. She alludes to the cultural differences between the USA and Iraq in multiple instances. The political opinion of Omar's perception of the American operations on Iraqi soil is pointed out repeatedly throughout the book. After all, this is a sort of a memoir recounting a personal experience and should be read as such. I found it helpful to read about the Green Zone, to which I was very closely located during my stay and it was really deplorable I wasn't able to visit any museum or historical memorial for security reasons.
This saga was an interesting read. Not as captivating as some reviews had depicted it. Maybe because I grew up in a war-torn country and many of the hardships the author faced seemed like a regular daily event to me. I am always curious to find out about perspectives different from mine since I also find myself between oriental and western cultures. I struggled at times to keep on reading while in Baghdad and I had to find out the end of the story as the plane was finally rolling out on the tarmac, taking me to my next destination...Overall, the book was smooth and moved me at times but I don't think I would read it again.
Manal Omar was born to Palestinian parents in Saudi Arabia. The family moved to the USA when she was just 6 months old and she grew up to be an American citizen. She is a practicing Muslim and had decided to move to Iraq to assist women in rebuilding their lives. Being a humanitarian worker of Arab descent grants her access, and sometimes also gets her in trouble in dealing with officials. Living in a war-torn country is not always an easy task, and when you are a foreigner things can get complicated. And at times dangerous. The author depicts her relationships with many Iraqi women and men. She alludes to the cultural differences between the USA and Iraq in multiple instances. The political opinion of Omar's perception of the American operations on Iraqi soil is pointed out repeatedly throughout the book. After all, this is a sort of a memoir recounting a personal experience and should be read as such. I found it helpful to read about the Green Zone, to which I was very closely located during my stay and it was really deplorable I wasn't able to visit any museum or historical memorial for security reasons.
This saga was an interesting read. Not as captivating as some reviews had depicted it. Maybe because I grew up in a war-torn country and many of the hardships the author faced seemed like a regular daily event to me. I am always curious to find out about perspectives different from mine since I also find myself between oriental and western cultures. I struggled at times to keep on reading while in Baghdad and I had to find out the end of the story as the plane was finally rolling out on the tarmac, taking me to my next destination...Overall, the book was smooth and moved me at times but I don't think I would read it again.
February 16, 2021
Quote
Barefoot in Baghdad takes its title from a popular Iraqi-Turkmen proverb that says, "walk barefoot and the thorns will hurt you." It is often used as a warning to those who challenge societal norms.
Manel Omar is an American Muslim Palestinian and Southerner who tells her her story in a midst of chaos. She traveled to Iraq as a co-worker to work among an organization called Women for Women which supports maltreated and tortured women during the Sadam regime and after war.
Her traveling was really challenging especially she's an American. She couldn't cope easily or in other words her identity wasn't welcomed which is normal. How can an American provide help if America was killing people there! So ironic!
I got touched by the stories of the mentioned women and girls and as always couldn't stop questioning myself HOW ON EARTH people can be that much CRUEL!!! Families killing their own daughters for silliest reasons. Fathers thinking just about their pride and honor! The stories got my nerves but then remembered that's the current fact and till now some parents and society still do the same. We still have norms to be followed if we don't, we'll get judged!
Though the work is good and I highly appreciate the efforts and courage made by the author, but felt like something is missing. I wanted more details. I wanted to read more stories she witnessed or worked on. I wanted to know in details how was the atmosphere during and pre Sadam Regime. I wished if she shed the light on the women's lives instead of hers or more better did all together.
As a person, I highly respect her because it wasn't easy to handle all what she experienced especially during her wedding day and Fern loss.
I recommend this work for the ones who are interested in the identity topic. Even religious one especially Shiaa and Sünni conflict.
Thank you @usembassyalgiers
for the copy♥
Rate: 4/5 🌟
.
Barefoot in Baghdad takes its title from a popular Iraqi-Turkmen proverb that says, "walk barefoot and the thorns will hurt you." It is often used as a warning to those who challenge societal norms.
Manel Omar is an American Muslim Palestinian and Southerner who tells her her story in a midst of chaos. She traveled to Iraq as a co-worker to work among an organization called Women for Women which supports maltreated and tortured women during the Sadam regime and after war.
Her traveling was really challenging especially she's an American. She couldn't cope easily or in other words her identity wasn't welcomed which is normal. How can an American provide help if America was killing people there! So ironic!
I got touched by the stories of the mentioned women and girls and as always couldn't stop questioning myself HOW ON EARTH people can be that much CRUEL!!! Families killing their own daughters for silliest reasons. Fathers thinking just about their pride and honor! The stories got my nerves but then remembered that's the current fact and till now some parents and society still do the same. We still have norms to be followed if we don't, we'll get judged!
Though the work is good and I highly appreciate the efforts and courage made by the author, but felt like something is missing. I wanted more details. I wanted to read more stories she witnessed or worked on. I wanted to know in details how was the atmosphere during and pre Sadam Regime. I wished if she shed the light on the women's lives instead of hers or more better did all together.
As a person, I highly respect her because it wasn't easy to handle all what she experienced especially during her wedding day and Fern loss.
I recommend this work for the ones who are interested in the identity topic. Even religious one especially Shiaa and Sünni conflict.
Thank you @usembassyalgiers
for the copy♥
Rate: 4/5 🌟
.
June 24, 2017
I really liked this book. I appreciated the author's candid style in telling not only her experience but the climate of which she found herself. I think it took remarkable courage for her to go to Iraq but I believe part of the reason she was able to feel such a draw and a sympathy to the women in this country was her experience here in American as a Muslim woman.
I am not Muslim but I am a woman and I can not help but notice the "stink eye" that some Muslim get when they were their at times stunning head dress and one of the most interesting woman I know where the full black burqa. I think it's only been in the past five years that I have noticed more of an acceptance (at least in the part of the country I live in) of women who choose to honor their religious faith but wearing certain clothing. Anyway, I can see where the author would be drawn to help the women in Iraq who themselves were trying to find the balance between their religious faith and possessing the skills, mobility, and rights needed to become more independent.
I was surprised by the heart and tenacity of the women themselves in Iraq. Not much is covered in the media of their own persistent fight for a better life and it should be.
I also felt it was telling that as the women who lived in better economic circumstances lobbied for better lives they stringently denied the plight of women in more dire if not the most dire of circumstances. As if admitting this was an issue invalidated their cause. This has happened throughout history and herstory, it's not just something that "happened" in Iraq. I feel the author's focus on the women who were in dire positions was a job also to be respected.
All in all I come away with immense respect not only for the author but for the tenacity of the women themselves.
I am not Muslim but I am a woman and I can not help but notice the "stink eye" that some Muslim get when they were their at times stunning head dress and one of the most interesting woman I know where the full black burqa. I think it's only been in the past five years that I have noticed more of an acceptance (at least in the part of the country I live in) of women who choose to honor their religious faith but wearing certain clothing. Anyway, I can see where the author would be drawn to help the women in Iraq who themselves were trying to find the balance between their religious faith and possessing the skills, mobility, and rights needed to become more independent.
I was surprised by the heart and tenacity of the women themselves in Iraq. Not much is covered in the media of their own persistent fight for a better life and it should be.
I also felt it was telling that as the women who lived in better economic circumstances lobbied for better lives they stringently denied the plight of women in more dire if not the most dire of circumstances. As if admitting this was an issue invalidated their cause. This has happened throughout history and herstory, it's not just something that "happened" in Iraq. I feel the author's focus on the women who were in dire positions was a job also to be respected.
All in all I come away with immense respect not only for the author but for the tenacity of the women themselves.
July 27, 2025
Ok book about a young woman aide worker living in Iraq from 2003-2005. I thought it was interesting but many of the stories were dead ends- so they didn't really have any endings (some due to the nature of what was occurring in Baghdad at the time and some just abruptly because the writer moves on to something else) I didn't understand why the title is Barefoot in Baghdad as it had nothing to do with the storyline and I don't think the author even shares her own learning and development as the book says it will be a "story of identity and what it means to be a woman in chaos." Great tag line- but the book didn't delve into Omar's psyche much or deeply define what did it mean for her to be a woman in Iraq during that time. She needs an epilogue to explain how the experience changed who she was and morphed her identity. Instead, the book is more or less a rehashing of what it took to start a nonprofit helping women as Iraq was freed from its insane dictatorship and then the insidious shift in feeling towards the American liberators as promises were broken and never came to fruition which allowed chaos to reign in the country. What a shame as it seemed that for the first year after the fall of Saddam there would have been opportunity for the positive pathway to be laid and a different future realized. Overall, I found the Iraqi people so admirable and resilient yet helpless in many ways- stuck in a horrible frightening society towards the end of 2005 to which they had no escape. It must have been heartbreaking to build up an NGO and then to watch the people you had been helping and supporting be torn from you- with your hands tied.
April 25, 2021
I found this book quick and easy to read and overall enjoyed learning about life in Iraq. Manal was able to illustrate the difficulties of living in a country where the culture often devalues women and yet on other occasions the opposite was true. I yet again reminded me that culture is complex, countries are complicated and there is always the possibility of finding beauty and joy where there is misery and fear. I was left wanting to know more about certain things. I would have loved to had read more stories about the women she helped, or indeed those she couldn't. It would have been great to know more about the future of the organization or Manal's professional plans to better the lives of these women. Many have found her book to be anti-American, I'm not sure I agree. I feel is it completely possible to be proud of your country without necessarily agreeing with the political choices they make. I do wonder however, if this may have been balanced a little by emphasizing the successes achieved when she worked with the American military, or, if not, by explaining more fully why she felt the American military involvement in Iraq was not helpful to the situation when she was there.
August 27, 2019
The best I can say about this book is that she is a confused young women dealing with tradgedy and guilt.
She can pick up a phone in Iraq and call a women in Washington DC for language translation but she can't bring herself to call a women in Iraq who was a dear friend to her and express condolences for the loss of her husband.
I suspect she wrote the book as part of her journey to better understand herself and reach closure.
She talks of strong Iraqi women and then changes to them not succeeding without her involvement. She recalls the selfish things she did that caused problems for others.
I do enjoy books written about an author's self journey but when she wrote of herself, the words were full and boring. When she included a few stories of the women being helped, it made me realize this book could have been so much more. She wrote of them with passion and they grabbed me. But then her narrative would return to her own difficulties and I would lose interest.
I believe she left a part of herself in Iraq and may never heal. Her passion is gone. I expected more from this book based on reviews, a lot more...
She can pick up a phone in Iraq and call a women in Washington DC for language translation but she can't bring herself to call a women in Iraq who was a dear friend to her and express condolences for the loss of her husband.
I suspect she wrote the book as part of her journey to better understand herself and reach closure.
She talks of strong Iraqi women and then changes to them not succeeding without her involvement. She recalls the selfish things she did that caused problems for others.
I do enjoy books written about an author's self journey but when she wrote of herself, the words were full and boring. When she included a few stories of the women being helped, it made me realize this book could have been so much more. She wrote of them with passion and they grabbed me. But then her narrative would return to her own difficulties and I would lose interest.
I believe she left a part of herself in Iraq and may never heal. Her passion is gone. I expected more from this book based on reviews, a lot more...
May 21, 2018
I had mixed feelings about this book. I felt that it had a lot of potential to be amazing and I liked the way Manal wrote, but I don't think it quite got there for me.
I felt like she seemed to jump around a bit; from one thing to another and sometimes I couldn't quite tell what the connection was. I feel like she was trying to touch on too many different aspects of her time spent in Iraq and maybe she should have gone into more detail on fewer topics she covered.
I felt like it was slow moving, but the last 50-60 pages or so I found easiest to read - I felt this was more about her feelings and relationships with the other characters. I think if the entire book had been more like this I may have enjoyed it more.
Overall though, I liked her writing style - the way it had more of a conversational, familiar tone to it. I discovered more about a different side to the "War in Iraq" and was impressed by Manal's commitment to the Women in Iraq.
I felt like she seemed to jump around a bit; from one thing to another and sometimes I couldn't quite tell what the connection was. I feel like she was trying to touch on too many different aspects of her time spent in Iraq and maybe she should have gone into more detail on fewer topics she covered.
I felt like it was slow moving, but the last 50-60 pages or so I found easiest to read - I felt this was more about her feelings and relationships with the other characters. I think if the entire book had been more like this I may have enjoyed it more.
Overall though, I liked her writing style - the way it had more of a conversational, familiar tone to it. I discovered more about a different side to the "War in Iraq" and was impressed by Manal's commitment to the Women in Iraq.
April 16, 2018
Manal Omar is an American-Muslim of Palestinian heritage. If that wasn't complicated enough, she decided to be an aid worker in Iraq during 2003/04 after the fall of the Saddam Hussein regime. "Barefoot in Baghdad" is a title derived from an Iraqi-Turkmen proverb which essentially means that if you decide to challenge societal norms (aka walk barefoot) be ready to face the thorns. That is exactly what the book is about: about her struggle to be a woman and help women in Iraq from the plethora of obstacles that seem to slow them down in a path towards progress.
The book has a Khaleid Hosseini touch of nostalgia. Even though it's a slow read towards the end it grasps a raw emotion within you. You don't necessarily have to live in a war torn country to understand this one.
The book has a Khaleid Hosseini touch of nostalgia. Even though it's a slow read towards the end it grasps a raw emotion within you. You don't necessarily have to live in a war torn country to understand this one.
December 9, 2018
I wanted to love this book for a few reasons. I felt it would be empowering for women and I love learning about other cultures and traditions. I agree with several of the other reviews. Manal seemed very anti American Military until she needed something. I found a few of her stories intriguing but she just grazed the stories making the writing feel amateur and the stories feeling shallow. Much of the writing was repetitive. I was disappointed in some of her decisions and putting so many at risk including herself. Maybe to sound heroic but it came off quite selfish, and I think this is important being that it is a memoir, not a fictional story. I can say that I am intrigued in learning more about the Middle East in general but I wanted to finish the book so I could start another.
August 1, 2025
When I first started reading this book, I couldn't go past 10 pages. It kept sitting unread at my shelf for about 3 years before I finally picked it up again, resolving to finish it this time.
I had bought this one instantly after reading The Kite Runner since it sparked my interest in the middle east/arab culture, but it was a bad decision on my part since Barefoot in Baghdad doesn't even come close to depicting cultural nuances like Khaled Hosseini did.
It is a memoir- and a heartfelt one at that, however it is not written by a writer, which shows in its style of narration. Great book to know about the factual history of a war torn Iraq, though I cannot comment on the accuracy. Not so great if you're looking to find 'stories' to connect with or be moved with.
I had bought this one instantly after reading The Kite Runner since it sparked my interest in the middle east/arab culture, but it was a bad decision on my part since Barefoot in Baghdad doesn't even come close to depicting cultural nuances like Khaled Hosseini did.
It is a memoir- and a heartfelt one at that, however it is not written by a writer, which shows in its style of narration. Great book to know about the factual history of a war torn Iraq, though I cannot comment on the accuracy. Not so great if you're looking to find 'stories' to connect with or be moved with.
March 5, 2022
Manal seorang yang lahir di amerika berketurunan palestin ingin membantu wanita mangsa perang di iraq.
Berbagai dugaan yang diterima antara nya minta keizinan daripada keluarga untuk pergi ke iraq
Membantu wanita iraq yang diperkosa untuk memulai kembali kehidupan mereka
Dan juga persepsi orang iraq yang melihat wanita pelacur sebagai tiada tempat dalam masyarakat. Meskipun mereka itu dipaksa pada awalnya menjadi pelacur.
Bagaimana ramai wanita iraq dipaksa kahwin pada usia yang muda kemudian mereka diceraikan dan dilarang daripada berjumpa denga anak mereka
Berbagai dugaan yang diterima antara nya minta keizinan daripada keluarga untuk pergi ke iraq
Membantu wanita iraq yang diperkosa untuk memulai kembali kehidupan mereka
Dan juga persepsi orang iraq yang melihat wanita pelacur sebagai tiada tempat dalam masyarakat. Meskipun mereka itu dipaksa pada awalnya menjadi pelacur.
Bagaimana ramai wanita iraq dipaksa kahwin pada usia yang muda kemudian mereka diceraikan dan dilarang daripada berjumpa denga anak mereka
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2019
It was interesting hearing her perspective as an aid workers in Iraq, a lot of insight into the situation from someone sympathetic to the Iraqi people. It definitively feels like it goes from yes women in Iraq gaining more of rights to feeling pretty hopeless, but this was written awhile ago but definitely hard to see silver lining and perhaps there wasn’t any. It was hard to visualize the places though sometimes people weren’t described until later in the book.
September 30, 2020
Kisah ini merupakan sudut pandang dari seseorang yang menjadi relawan untuk perempuan korban perang Irak di Baghdad. Jadi menurutku wajar saja jika banyak pandangan subjektif.
Aku lihat beberapa sangat 'tersinggung' dengan pernyataan Manal yang menunjukkan ketidaksetujuannya atas ikut campurnya AS dalam Perang Irak, toh dalam pandangan saya pribadi pun sejauh pemahaman saya sampai saat ini, keterlibatan AS di Irak adalah salah satu 'dosa besar' AS.
Aku lihat beberapa sangat 'tersinggung' dengan pernyataan Manal yang menunjukkan ketidaksetujuannya atas ikut campurnya AS dalam Perang Irak, toh dalam pandangan saya pribadi pun sejauh pemahaman saya sampai saat ini, keterlibatan AS di Irak adalah salah satu 'dosa besar' AS.
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