I have to agree with Kit Bakke on this book. It is heartbreaking to know what women go through in developing nations, but it is that much more impressive and inspiring when they open up hospitals, start successful businesses, and earn doctoral degrees in their 40s. Feminism is not dead, and in truth, the strides these women make help all human beings.

When Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize last year, I was baffled. For one, he is commanding two very unpopular wars at this moment. For another, these women who have started grassroots movements in their home villages have had to do it with many more obstacles. I understand getting policy passed through Congress is not easy, but politicians are not facing the same dangers as women in war stricken nations trying to go to school, leave abusive families, and vote. I know that the US is not perfect, but I am thankful that I have the right to get an education, to choose a domestic partner who doesn't beat me, and to vote. It is strange to think that suffrage for women is not even 100 years old yet.

There is a portion of the book with which I do not agree and cannot easily comprehend Kristof's and WuDunn's view. The Axis of Equality chapter suggests that supporting sweatshop labor is a necessity to help developing nations. Perhaps this is how western nations developed during movements like the Industrial Revolution, but the problem is that the US is losing so many job opportunities to India, China, and South America. I understand the need to support rural labor, but I believe that the US is in dire need of job creation and exports.

Unrelated, but I was very happy to have him sign my book. ( )

I have to agree with Kit Bakke on this book. It is heartbreaking to know what women go through in developing nations, but it is that much more impressive and inspiring when they open up hospitals, start successful businesses, and earn doctoral degrees in their 40s. Feminism is not dead, and in truth, the strides these women make help all human beings.

When Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize last year, I was baffled. For one, he is commanding two very unpopular wars at this moment. For another, these women who have started grassroots movements in their home villages have had to do it with many more obstacles. I understand getting policy passed through Congress is not easy, but politicians are not facing the same dangers as women in war stricken nations trying to go to school, leave abusive families, and vote. I know that the US is not perfect, but I am thankful that I have the right to get an education, to choose a domestic partner who doesn't beat me, and to vote. It is strange to think that suffrage for women is not even 100 years old yet.

There is a portion of the book with which I do not agree and cannot easily comprehend Kristof's and WuDunn's view. The Axis of Equality chapter suggests that supporting sweatshop labor is a necessity to help developing nations. Perhaps this is how western nations developed during movements like the Industrial Revolution, but the problem is that the US is losing so many job opportunities to India, China, and South America. I understand the need to support rural labor, but I believe that the US is in dire need of job creation and exports.

Unrelated, but I was very happy to have him sign my book. ( )

Powerful exploration of the oppression of women in the 21st century through slavery, sexual exploitation, medical and educational neglect etc.. while the subject matter was dour there were some glimmers of hope and ideas for change. ( )

It is hard to pack as much information into a book and still keep a human experience attached to it. Half the Sky did that as well or better than any book on the subject. There is a LOT of information and it can get muddled if you are reading just for a quick and simple read. The subject matter and the information are so important and so startling that I would recommend it to everyone and encourage them to not become overwhelmed. Women especially should read this book imo. ( )

This is a book that is both deeply disturbing and incredibly uplifting. It's disturbing in the sense that countless women are still being treated horribly all across the globe and the authors give the numerous detailed accounts of these atrocities which are very hard to read. But it's also uplifting because they all also include stories of many individual women who have managed to overcome seemingly unsupportable obstacles to create better lives for themselves, their children and for humankind itself. A really eye opening read ! ( )