About the Author

Zahra Hankir is a Lebanese-British journalist who writes about the intersection of politics, culture, and society in the Middle East. Her work has appeared in Vice, BBC News, Al Jazeera English, Bloomberg Businessweek, Roads & Kingdoms, and Literary Hub, among others. She was awarded a Jack R. Howard Fellowship in International Journalism to attend the Columbia Journalism School and holds degrees in politics and Middle Eastern studies.

Christiane Amanpour (foreword) is CNN’s chief international anchor and host of the network’s award-winning, flagship global affairs program Amanpour, which also airs on PBS in the United States. She is based in the network’s London bureau. Christiane’s illustrious career in journalism spans more than three decades. After joining CNN in 1983, Amanpour rose through the organization, becoming the network's leading international correspondent reporting on international crises in the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea, Palestinian territories, Iran, Sudan, Israel, Pakistan, Somalia, Rwanda, the Balkans, Egypt, and Libya. Amanpour has interviewed most of the top world leaders over the past two decades and has received every major broadcast award, including an inaugural Television Academy Award, eleven News and Documentary Emmys, four Peabody Awards, and nine honorary degrees. In 2014, she was inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame and in 2018 was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, an honorary citizen of Sarajevo, and a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. Amanpour is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island.

Reviews

“Refreshing (and long overdue) . . . Will appeal to readers of all genders and backgrounds who want to broaden their understanding of the Arab world.”
—NPR

“A refreshing anthology of essays by female writers whose work cut through the many clichés of Middle East reporting. Their accounts provide honest and raw depictions, recounted from their own experiences and from other women whose stories are often overlooked when reporting on foreign policy and conflict.”
—The New York Times

“It has been many years since I have, at the end of a book, felt compelled immediately to start again from the beginning. . . . [A] superb compendium of reporting by Arab women . . . Intelligence and depth of insight . . . radiate[s] from these brilliant journalists.”
—Bobby Ghosh, Bloomberg

“Excellent.”
—n+1

“A masterpiece . . . [and] an absolute must-read.”
—Bust

“Truly groundbreaking.”
—InStyle

“Powerful.”
—Bustle

“Incredibly eye-opening.”
—Cosmopolitan

“Showcases journalism at its bravest. Determination, grit and humour shine through the writing of reporters who frequently face opposition from their own families.”
—The Guardian, “The Best Books of 2019”

“Refreshing and revelatory . . . A rich mosaic of an often-misunderstood region . . . [that] allows the authors to represent themselves not merely as female journalists or Arabs but as full human beings.”
—Ms. Magazine

“Several of the[se women] have reported bravely on the conflict in Syria and the travails of women living under ISIS rule. . . . They provide a perspective and a range of contacts and ideas born of experience that had previously been largely missing.”
—The New York Review of Books

“These nineteen brief, riveting essays argue for a more honest, experiential approach [to journalism].”
—The Times Literary Supplement

“These voices and stories are much needed.” 
—Book Riot

“In an era where the truth is put up for debate, let’s celebrate these women, who venture into conflict to get at the truth.”
—Refinery29

“Remarkable [and] illuminating.”
—Booklist (starred review)

“[A] timely and affecting collection . . . [that] will appeal greatly to readers interested in global women’s issues, journalism, and the modern Arab world. . . . Heartrending and deeply humanistic.”
—Library Journal (starred review)

“Offering a blend of memoir, war reporting, cultural commentary, history, and politics, these powerful essays deliver insightful analysis.”
—Publishers Weekly

“These stories from the field are rare and remarkable. . . . A timely, engaging work that reveals why the journalist’s profession is so important and so endangered.”
—Kirkus

“Powerful [and] essential.” 
—BookPage

“Candid, evocative and above all, daring.” 
—Harper's Bazaar Arabia

“[A] pioneering collection . . . Journalism at its most honest and reflective.”
—The Arts Desk

“Provides an intimate glimpse into the courage and pressures bearing on the determined women who report on their own homelands.” 
—Chatham House

“Inspiring and extraordinary.”
—Stylist

“A beautiful book of gripping and illuminating essays.”
—America Magazine

“A compelling and gripping read.”
—Middle East Monitor

“A revelation.”
—The National

“Out of the gloom of the Middle East, this book brims with new voices—Arab women reporting on their world as no one else has seen it. A terrific read, full of insight and surprise.”
—David E. Hoffman, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Billion Dollar Spy

“This astounding, affecting collection offers a sweeping panorama of the contemporary Arab experience. . . . Rich with understanding and sincere emotional connection.”
—Megan K. Stack, author of Women’s Work

“A remarkable book that fills a tremendous gap . . . The voices of these trailblazing women are even more vital today.”
—Hassan Hassan, New York Times bestselling co-author of ISIS

“A dazzling book that elegantly demonstrates how to tell stories with humility, affection, and truthfulness.” 
—Azadeh Moaveni, author of Lipstick Jihad and Guest House for Young Widows

“Stark and haunting. I loved this book. . . . A must-read.”
—Janine di Giovanni, author of The Morning They Came for Us

“With steely courage and pens of fire, these sahafiyat—Arab female journalists—tell the stories of their countries’ conflicts, providing rigor, depth and insight few outside commenters could match.”
—Molly Crabapple, co-author and illustrator of Brothers of the Gun and author of Drawing Blood

“The journalists in this book have demonstrated the highest professional achievements and courage. . . . Without them, the stories of today and tomorrow will remain only partly told.”
—Christiane Amanpour, from the Foreword