This is a well written story that should scare everyone that women are still treated this way.
Please read to have your eyes opened to a totally different world.

The title of the book is compelling, but more compelling was the author’s description of her life as a Saudi Arabian woman, not just her act of civil disobedience for women's rights. I feel this book is important because it reveals the hidden world of Saudi Arabian women and how few civil rights they have. The author chronicles her extraordinary personal story as a female in S.A. and how difficult it is to live a modern life in a country where female repression is sanctioned by both society and the state. U.S. women should read this book and be made aware the fragility women's rights and how they should appreciate and defend the civil rights afforded to women in the U.S. and abroad.

This is the story of what it means to be a woman in Saudi Arabia.  Even today women are treated as subjects to their husbands desires and society's mores. Despite having grown up in an extremely abusive home, Manal managed to overcome radical islamic beliefs and bias toward infidels. Her mother's motivation for her children to be educated seems contrary to the cruelty both parents inflicted.
She managed to educate herself by applying herself amid extreme subjugation and misogyny.
She managed to escape her abusive husband.
She managed to inspire other female inmates in the cockroach infested jail where she was illegally held for 'driving while female' by listening to their stories.
She managed to become an activist by daring to drive.

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.