Friday, July 9, 2010

BETWEEN TWO WORLDS: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
BETWEEN TWO WORLDS

MY LIFE AND CAPTIVITY IN IRAN
BY ROXANA SABERI

ABOUT THE BOOK:

On the morning of January 31, 2009, Roxana Saberi, an Iranian-American journalist working in Iran, was forced from her home by four men and secretly detained in Iran's notorious Evin Prison. The intelligence agents who captured her accused her of espionage—a charge she denied. For several days, Saberi was held in solitary confinement, ruthlessly interrogated, and cut off from the outside world. For weeks, neither her family nor her friends knew her whereabouts.

After a sham trial that made headlines around the world, the thirty-one-year-old reporter was sentenced to eight years in prison. But following international pressure by family, friends, colleagues, various governments, and total strangers, she was released on appeal on May 11, 2009. Now Saberi breaks her silence to share the full account of her ordeal, describing in vivid detail the methods that Iranian hard-liners are using to try to intimidate and control many of the country's people.

In this gripping and inspirational true story, Saberi writes movingly of her imprisonment, her trial, her eventual release, and the faith that helped her through it all. Her recollections are interwoven with insights into Iranian society, the Islamic regime, and U.S.-Iran relations, as well as stories of her fellow prisoners—many of whom were jailed for their pursuit of human rights, including freedom of speech, association, and religion. Saberi gains strength and wisdom from her cellmates who support her throughout a grueling hunger strike and remind her of the humanity that remains, even when they are denied the most basic rights.

Between Two Worlds is also a deeply revealing account of this tumultuous country and the ongoing struggle for freedom that is being fought inside Evin Prison and on the streets of Iran. From her heartfelt perspective, Saberi offers a rich, dramatic, and illuminating portrait of Iran as it undergoes a striking, historic transformation.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Saberi moved to Iran in 2003 to work as the Iran correspondent for the U.S.–based Feature Story News. She filed reports for organizations such as NPR, BBC, ABC Radio, and Fox News, and was working on a book about Iranian society when she was arrested on January 31, 2009. She was released on May 11, 2009.

Saberi grew up in Fargo, North Dakota, the daughter of Reza Saberi, who was born in Iran, and Akiko Saberi, who is from Japan. She was chosen Miss North Dakota in 1997 and was among the top ten finalists in the Miss America Pageant in 1998. She graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, with degrees in communications and French.

Saberi holds her first master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and her second master’s degree in international relations from the University of Cambridge.

MY REVIEW:

Roxana Saberi, a journalist, was working in Iran last year when she was forcibly taken from her home, held with no explained reason, and then arrested by intelligence agents of Iran. Having no contact with anyone but her captors, Saberi was charged with spying and later sentenced to eight years in Iran’s most notorious prison called Evin. The charges against Saberi were finally reduced after months of appeals, and she was released and was able to return home to the U.S.

Now in a brave memoir, BETWEEN TWO WORLDS, Roxana Saberi tells of her captivity and how she was caught in the cruel clutches of her prejudiced, unjust captors. The conviction, from the very beginning, of this innocent young prisoner, was a result of her captors pursuit of imagined justice based on their own world of outrageous conspiracies. Saberi found that Evin was a place like no other where justice was an unknown conclusion, mercy was unthinkable, and God seemed nowhere to be found. It was in this dreadful place that Saberi was mentally and emotionally tortured under intense psychological pressure as well as threats. This finally caused her to breakdown and confess to something she did not do. But Roxana was stronger than even she herself knew. With determination she decided to face the injustice she and her fellow prisoners were dealt and retract her confession. Many cellmates that she came to know, gave her courage and strength to carry on. These “Angels of Evin” are women who Saberi admires for their suffering and yet continued fight for human rights. Her story in Evin prison and the following release back to freedom is a disturbingly upsetting, while revealing tale, but it is not the only story in BETWEEN TWO WORLDS.

In this book, beside showing what is going on with the political system in Iran and the challenges facing the people of this country, it also is an enlightening discourse about Iran as a country that many still love. Saveri tells of Iran's culture and history, as well as how the Islamic rule came to be in power. Saberi's narrative brilliantly relates to the reader about her love of Iran and its people, as well as that of America. She also is unwavering in her love, admiration, and respect for her family and friends. Her story was hard to tell but it was one she felt would not only let the readers know of the horrible experience she endured, but also bring light on her fellow prisoners who don’t have the international aid that Roxana had to help gain her freedom. They, the “Angels of Evin” and many others, continue to survive without any assistance and endure a life of denial and humiliation, that may someday, with people like Saveri speaking for them, come to be free and live a life they most surely deserve. A fascinating, important book, that moves quickly as you become so wrapped up in Roxana’s journey.

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO KYLE AND MY FRIENDS
AT HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHING,
I HAVE 3 COPIES OF THIS EXCITING
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY. HERE IS WHAT
YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN A COPY!




--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY:
COMMENT ON WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO WIN THIS BOOK AFTER READING ABOUT IT IN THE INFORMATION AND REVIEW ABOVE

+1 MORE ENTRY:
BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON HOW YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, COMMENT SEPARATELY FOR MORE CHANCES TO WIN. DON'T FORGET YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL, GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT, OR GOOGLE READER, AS WELL AS FOLLOW ON NETWORK BLOGS AND AS FACEBOOK FANS, OR SOME OTHER WAY YOU CAN TELL ME ABOUT.


GIVEAWAY ENDS
6 PM, EST, JULY 22
GOOD LUCK!

129 comments:

Benita said...

GFC Follower.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

Email subscriber.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

Your review has drawn me in. It is extremely compelling. Ergo, I'd love to read this book.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

debbie said...

I am a gfc follower.
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

While we hear things about Iran on the news, it is good to hear from someone who has really experienced what is going on there. I would love to read it.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I would like to read this book because it is a true story and I want to know what happened to her in prison and what she went through. I want to hear her version. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Steve Capell said...

I can't imagine how scary that must of been to be locked up in a foreign prison with no outside contact. I would love to read this book and I thank you for hosting this giveaway.

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

Momma Hunt said...

I ma also a follower via my RSS feed on blogger.com

Momma Hunt said...

Why I would love to read this blog, I am a government and history teacher and I always love to read non-fiction like this because I feel it just makes me more knowledgeable about subjects, but in a fun way rather than sitting in a lecture hall. My email is ezhunt@hotmail.com

Margie said...

I would love to read this book. I followed the story on the news. I'd love to learn the story behind the news. I really enjoy memoirs and stories based in other cultures.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

blog follower via GFC
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

+4 swag
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

this blog on my Networked Blogs list
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Facebook fan
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

bermudaonion said...

I'd love to read this book because I love memoirs and when I read one like this, I always wonder if I'd be strong enough to survive an ordeal like that. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

Esme said...

Sign me up please-I find these stories about people being held captive in another country fascinating

chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com

Esme said...

cococroissants

http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/2010/07/between-two-worlds-review-and-giveaway.html

chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com

Esme said...

I follow gfc

chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com

Tina said...

given her background, I really want to read this book.

tbranco at hughes DOT net

Tina said...

Your giveaway button is blinking away on my sidebar at Tutu's Two Cents

tbranco AT hughes DOT net

Tina said...

Follow in Google Reader

tbranco AT hughes DOT net

Tina said...

Follow on Bloglines

tbranco AT hughes DOT net

Tina said...

Follow on GFC

tbranco AT hughes DOT net

Anonymous said...

I follow via email.

monagarg@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in giveaway. I love to read about life in other countries,both fiction and non-fiction. I would love to read about her experiences.

Unknown said...

This book sounds really interesting. I would love to win a copy.

bookventuresbookclub AT gmail DOT com

Laura said...

Please enter me. I love memoir type books and would love to read her story. I am a follower.
Laura
laura.leahj@gmail.com

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I follow on GFC

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I follow on Google REader

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I remember reading about this in the newspapers, so I would love to read her story!

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

Lacey said...

I would like to win this book because I love to read memoirs, especially memoirs from the middle east.

patientlywaiting@gmail.com

Lacey said...

I am a fan on facebook - Lacey

patientlywaiting at gmail dot com

Lacey said...

I am a follower through google friend connect.

patientlywaiting at gmail dot com

Lacey said...

http://twitter.com/HtxAstrosFan/status/18130805112

tweet

patientlywaiting at gmail dot com

Lacey said...

I also follow through networked blogs

patientlywaiting at gmail dot com

Lacey said...

posted it to my blog

http://lacey914.blogspot.com/

patientlywaiting at gmail dot com

traveler said...

I am intrigued with this unique book. Thanks for this chance. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

I enjoyed this review and this book would be riveting and compelling. thanks. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Shannon said...

I follow through Google Reader.
tiredwkids at live dot com

Shannon said...

I want to know how the author survived, mentally, through her ordeal.
tiredwkids at live dot com

Libby's Library said...

I've been wanting to read this one.
I really want to find our what her insights are, on Iranian Society.
Thanks Bingo!!!

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Libby's Library said...

GFC Follower :-)

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Libby's Library said...

Email subscriber:-)

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Libby's Library said...

Networked Blogs Follower;-)

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Libby's Library said...

I'm a Bookin'With Bingo II FB fan:-o

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Colleen Turner said...

This book sounds just fascinating! You don't often get a chance to see what REALLY happens on the insides of these prisons and how they really treat the prisoners. Would love to read it!
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am a Facebook fan.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am a Networked Blogs follower.
candc320@gmail.com

Vera said...

I follow on GFC. vvperesk@gmail.com

Vera said...

I subscribe by email

Vera said...

I'd love to win! My husband's parents are from Iran and he lived there for a few years, so it's always interesting to learn more about it...the good and the bad.

vvperesk@gmail.com

Vera said...

I follow on Networked Blogs. vvperesk@gmail.com

Vera said...

I subscribe to posts via Google Reader. vvperesk@gmail.com

enyl said...

Between Two Worlds will make a great supplementary text in my history classroom. Students will gain knowledge of contemporary life in Iran from a witness that is not politically invested in munipulating our view.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

Tweeted.
twitter.com@enylstil#between
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

Facebook fan.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

GFC follower.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

Networked Blogs follower.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

e-mail subscriber.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

Following on Twitter.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

nfmgirl said...

I love books about women in countries where they are kept under the heel of men and government, but they fight back! Please count me in. Thank you!

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I follow via email

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I follow on Reader

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I follow on Networked Blogs

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I "like" on Facebook

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

I'd love to read the book because I've always enjoyed listening to Saberi's reporting on NPR. Thanks for the giveaway.

fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

I tweeted:

http://twitter.com/bookmonstrosity/status/18216181750

fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

I follow your blog on twitter. (I'm @bookmonstrosity).

fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

Debbie said...

You are on my google reader.
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

Debbie said...

I have an odd fascination with books set in different cultures and countries. I just love learning about them, especially from someone with first hand experience.
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

Glenn said...

Sounds like a very interesting true life story that's appropriate for the times we live in. Thanks for the giveaway.

glenn_pessano AT yahoo DOT com

rubynreba said...

I heard of her being in prison and would like to read her story and experiences.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Facebook friend.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I follow on google friend.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Shirley H said...

+4 swag shundelt@yahoo.com

Jeff H said...

+4 swag jeff72768@yahoo.com

bison61 said...

I remember this on the news - I'd love to read this

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Kitty said...

email subscriber maynekitty [at] live [dot] com

Kitty said...

It would be interesting to read about Iran from someone w/first hand experience.

maynekitty [at] live [dot] com

Pamela Keener said...

I would love to read this harrowing story and perhaps understand Iran in the process.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

+4 Swagbucks
LOve & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I follow via Google Reader
Love & HUgs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I follow via GFC
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I am a friend on FB/Pam Keener
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I am an e-mail subscriber.
Love & Hugs,
Pam pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Misusedinnocence said...

I follow on gfc.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I followed this story when it was on the news and would love to read her story,

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Allison said...

I'd like to win this book because it sounds like a really compelling story.

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Allison said...

Google Connect Follower

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Allison said...

Network Blog follower

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Allison said...

Twitter follower

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Allison said...

Email subscriber

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Allison said...

RSS Feed subscriber

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Your review was great. I think that she is a very brave person to even think of going to Iran for her job. Would like to read about what keep her going in prison.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am an e-mail subscriber of your blog-for a long time!


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am a GFC follower of your blog.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am a Fan of your blog on FB.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Unknown said...

+4swag chirth7@yahoo.com

Shirley H said...

+4 swag shundelt@yahoo.com

Jeff H said...

+4swag Jeff72768@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I love tio read this book. I'm always wondering how women especially live in other countries.

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

https://twitter.com/Romantic73/status/18964834786

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000641625482&v=wall&story_fbid=133852863319234&ref=mf

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/chirth7/review/44083301/

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=533391661&messageID=6676714121&hash

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL,

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I follow GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I FOLLOW ON NETWORK BLOGS
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'm a FACEBOOK FAN
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I follow on twitter
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I also follow RSS feed

chirth7@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

https://twitter.com/Grandmamaof10/status/19045964518

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100001087052807&v=wall&story_fbid=112004312183430

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/shundelt45/review/44116972/

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=540593519&messageID=6675850131&hash

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL,

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I'm a GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT,
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I have GOOGLE READER

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I FOLLOW ON NETWORK BLOGS
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I'm a FACEBOOK FANS
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I follow on twitter
shundelt@yahoo.com

Nancye said...

I would like to win this book so I can learn about what happened to Roxana Saberi when she was held captive. Sounds like an intriguing book!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/19104107831

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

email subscriber

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

GFC Follower

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I follow via Google Reader

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I follow you on Networked Blogs

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Facebook Fan

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

CLICK HERE TO
SEE MY POLICY