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Informative,
Life Changing,
Inspiring

10 reviews

Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide
by Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn

Published: 2009-09-08
Hardcover : 320 pages
15 members reading this now
35 clubs reading this now
15 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 10 of 10 members
From two of our most fiercely moral voices, a passionate call to arms against our era's most pervasive human rights violation: the oppression of women and girls in the developing world.

With Pulitzer Prize winners Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn as our guides, we undertake an odyssey ...
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Introduction

(From two of our most fiercely moral voices, a passionate call to arms against our era's most pervasive human rights violation: the oppression of women and girls in the developing world.

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.

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Excerpt

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Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

Which woman's story impacted you the most? Why?
Do you agree that empowering and focusing on women has the most impact?
by Alison8641 (see profile) 01/30/14

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

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Book Club Recommendations

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
by Danae O. (see profile) 04/27/18

 
by Joo C. (see profile) 03/08/17

 
by NANCY D. (see profile) 09/06/14

 
  "Compelling and important"by Alison P. (see profile) 01/30/14

There are things happening in the world that everyone should know about. While this book is a tough read content wise for some, others found it inspiring and worth the effort. By highlighting the real... (read more)

 
  "Half The Sky"by Kathy M. (see profile) 05/07/13

Very well researched, eye opening and graphic book about oppression of women around the world and how things can and must change.

 
  "Excellent book, a must read for everyone, tragic."by Amber L. (see profile) 04/11/13

This was an excellent book - it is non-fiction so be prepared for that - the stories woven in provide an opportunity to connect to the characters but much of it is statistical and fact based. Covering... (read more)

 
  "A Woman's worth"by Jesamin C. (see profile) 10/01/12

Reading about other women's experiences is heart breaking and hope inspiring. We are all able for to change and to help others.

 
  "Half the Sky"by Karen C. (see profile) 03/03/11

This was a very difficult book to get through. There is a lot of information about the plight of women around the world. The stories are graphic and disturbing but it certainly gives you a different... (read more)

 
  "Truly life changing"by Kris h. (see profile) 02/25/11

at least three of our members have sponsored children and loaned money through KIVA.

 
  "LIfe changing"by Cathy F. (see profile) 08/18/10

Inspiring book about efforts being made to fight the oppression of women around the world.

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