Barefoot in Baghdad: A Story of Identity-My Own and What It Means to Be a… (original 2010; edition 2010)

I finished the book last night and feel as if I had a very very light meal. The book is similar to reading a 237 newspaper article. It was interesting, informative, contained likeable characters, but it lacked a grab your guts story line. Yes the woman moved from America to do wonderful world changing selfless work, and she did experience many near misses and suffer the deaths of many of her friends and colleagues, BUT I didn't really get to know her down deep, and without that, the book just went on until it ended. If you enjoy reading historical or news items about the middle east you may find this pleasant reading, but I love to sink into a book and this one was in shallow water. ( )

Subtitle: A Story of Identity - My Own and What It Means to Be a Woman in Chaos ( )

Although at times I had difficulty following the chronology of this book, overall it was a very easy read. The author has a conversational style to her writing that pulls you in and keeps you going. I actually read this in two days! I couldn't put it down. I found myself very emotionally involved in the story, and my initial concerns that it would be either overly analytical or overly author-centric proved unfounded. Omar maintains the delicate balance between her story and the story of the women of Iraq with poise and grace. I don't know how much longer my excessive notice of all things Muslim or Middle Eastern will continue, but I welcome it for as long as it stays. If you are or have ever loved a strong woman, or had even a vague passing interest in areas political, this one is well worth getting your hands on. ( )

I enjoy memoirs and enjoy reading about the Middle East, so I was excited to read this book. I was particularly interested in hearing about the work Omar does with women in Iraq.

As I read, I was mildly intrigued by some of her experiences but nothing really grabbed me and demanded my undivided attention. Her day-to-day experiences are interesting to read, but I kept waiting for some hugely compelling climax that never arrived. I didn't find the author's writing style to be quite as lackluster as some of my fellow reviewers did, but I didn't find it to be particularly engaging, either.

Overall this book was a worthwhile read because of the insight it provides into one woman's work to help "rebuild" that which cannot be easily rebuilt, but I would rank it in the bottom fourth of the dozen or so memoirs I've read about women who have experiences living and working in both the U.S and Middle East. ( )

BAREFOOT IN BAGHDAD is a true story that provides an easily read glimpse into Baghdad, Iraq during the Gulf War, during the years when we thought things were getting better, before they became dangerous again. A female Muslim-American (not from Iraq)goes to Iraq as an aid worker for an organization with the misgivings of her family, concerned for her safety and virtue. Because of her adherence to Muslim dress and culture, she is provided unique access to the local women and able to help them in a more intimate manner than most Americans. The locals trust her and the American military turns to her when all else fails. She works closely in dangerous situations with a group of Iraqi men who become her bodyguards, confidantes, assistants and eventually even a love interest. They way the respond to her, a Muslim woman, but still an American, is one of the more interesting storylines in the book and is the best written. Her writing about the women she meets and helps is not well developed and doesn't allow the readers to feel emotionally connected to them. However, we do become emotionally connected to her. Ultimately, this book is not about the women of Iraq as much as it is about a woman's journey to discover herself through her time in Iraq. ( )