One of the best biography I have read in my life. Hats off to Author, She is really an Inspiring person not only to Arab countries but also for whole world. This book is must read for men if not for women. This book will help in improving empathy towards our sister, mother and spouse and the problems they face in everyday life. Book is very fast read and difficult to put down.

Author explains her childhood, school days and her upbringing along with customs they make you to follow as a kid to grown up person. Author also tell us the role her mother played in giving education to author and her siblings. I was quite surprised when I read author is computer science engineer works in Information Security team.

As a Indian born, I did see many similarities in treating women the similar way when it comes to rights in Indian family system. Fortunately Indian courts are empathic towards women in the cases of divorce or domestic violence. However, In family gatherings where elders give judgement always suggest women to adjust and not raise her voice for rights. Even though girls don't need to cover their face, they will be not having any say in decisions like what to study, whom to marry and when to marry. However, Indian women are getting their freedom and rights in small way through education and employment.

Well written and incredibly interesting. First hand account of growing up as a female in modern day Saudia Arabia. Manal al-Sharif details her strict religious upbringing (and period of extremism), schooling, male dominated culture, marriages, and struggle to change some of the inequalities against women (specifically, the ban against women driving). I was surprised to see that, not only were women forbidden from driving STILL, but they also needed a male guardian's permission to do anything. It is downright shocking that this is still happening! Kudos to Manal al-Sharif for taking a stand and speaking out against these inequalities.

I recommend that anyone interested in Islam and the Arab world read this. Both boys and girls in Saudi are treated harshly. We also imagine no one is poor but that is not the case.