Tears of the Desert: A Memoir of Survival in Darfur | 
 enlarge | Authors: Halima Bashir, Damien Lewis
Publisher: One World/Ballantine
Category: Book
List Price: $25.00
Buy New: $14.84
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Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 7171
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 336
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.4 x 5.8 x 1.3
ISBN: 0345506251
Dewey Decimal Number: 962.4043
EAN: 9780345506252
ASIN: 0345506251
Publication Date: September 9, 2008
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Product Description
Like the single white eyelash that graces her row of dark lashes–seen by her people as a mark of good fortune–Halima Bashir’s story stands out. Tears of the Desert is the first memoir ever written by a woman caught up in the war in Darfur. It is a survivor’s tale of a conflicted country, a resilient people, and the uncompromising spirit of a young woman who refused to be silenced.
Born into the Zaghawa tribe in the Sudanese desert, Halima was doted on by her father, a cattle herder, and kept in line by her formidable grandmother. A politically astute man, Halima’s father saw to it that his daughter received a good education away from their rural surroundings. Halima excelled in her studies and exams, surpassing even the privileged Arab girls who looked down their noses at the black Africans. With her love of learning and her father’s support, Halima went on to study medicine, and at twenty-four became her village’s first formal doctor.
Yet not even the symbol of good luck that dotted her eye could protect her from the encroaching conflict that would consume her land. Janjaweed Arab militias started savagely assaulting the Zaghawa, often with the backing of the Sudanese military. Then, in early 2004, the Janjaweed attacked Bashir’s village and surrounding areas, raping forty-two schoolgirls and their teachers. Bashir, who treated the traumatized victims, some as young as eight years old, could no longer remain quiet. But breaking her silence ignited a horrifying turn of events.
In this harrowing and heartbreaking account, Halima Bashir sheds light on the hundreds of thousands of innocent lives being eradicated by what is fast becoming one of the most terrifying genocides of the twenty-first century. Raw and riveting, Tears of the Desert is more than just a memoir–it is Halima Bashir’s global call to action.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
A cultural and psychological education as well as a horror story December 27, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'd give this book ten stars if I could. Most reviewers write mainly about the horrible civil war between the dominant Arabs and the subserviant black tribes of southern Sudan, reported first hand by the author in the latter part of the book. Yes, that's important to document. But, the first half of the book will probably remind you more of "Anne of Green Gables" or "The Yearling", as it documents the well drawn contrasting characters in the young life of Halima, a tribal black girl, as she progresses through her physical growing years. Who can forget her irascible Grandma, or Grandma's frequent ally:Halima's younger brother, Omer, who prides himself in his belligerent rejection of authority, indifference to pain and his bullying of others. Who can forget Halima's own unprecedented resistance to being treated as a second class citizen when sent to a school of spoiled urban Arab girls and poor village black girls. You will be shocked at Halima's detailed description of her own genital mutilation, as a traditional practice of her tribe, as well as many other Muslim cultures. You will be reminded of the periodic devistation wrought by locust swarms that often consume household items after the crops are gone. When it come to weddings, "if a wedding goes ahead without any fighting, people don't really enjoy it". Of course, Grandma usually leads the fight for her extended family at such occasions. You will be amused at the importance given to her single sport white eyelash in explaining her superior academic talents and in predicting her future importance to the tribe. You can't help but admire her father for his liberated attitude in encouraging and financing her further education rather than those of her not-so-talented brothers. You will wish Halima's mother and Grandma had heeded her father's plea that they move to Chad before a bloody civil war broke out that would consume their village. You may even come away with a grudging acknowledgement that there may be some substance to black vs. white magic and "the evil eye", which Halima, despite all her scientific education, still believes in. Finally, you may become aware that China has become a major indirect supporter of the continued turmoil in this country by trading arms for oil with the central government and by obstructing UN attempts to quell the violence by government-supported forces.
A brave woman November 17, 2008
A heart touching story of a young woman's experience in a a bloody war, which caused great fear for her and her family. Her memoirs from her childhood and her experiences during the war made for a book with great value, excitement and fear. Her continuous brave actions during the war show us a woman of great valor and charecter. I highly recommendment it.
 Good Book October 21, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
I purchased this book as a political statement, but found it interesting reading. worth the purchase.
Heartfelt October 9, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
tears of the desert is outstanding, I really felt Halima's pain can you imagine something like this and how cruel they we're treated..I would also like recommend Slave also a great memoir..I truly wish Halima's family is okay and can one day be reunited...very touching
Moving Memoir of Courage and Tragedy September 23, 2008
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
Dr. Halima Bashir's autobiography is a testament to the tragedy taking place in Darfur as well as a picture of her life. She begins with her happy childhood in her village - although the chapter of her "cutting time", when she underwent the gruesome ritual of Female Genital Mutiliaton, is wrenching, and progresses to her work as a medical doctor.
Targeted just for speaking out against the violence, and for serving her people, Dr. Bashir is kidnapped and viciously tortured and raped, then released as the ultimate punishment since rape victims are shunned in her society. She could have suffered in silence, as so many women of her culture do, or at least kept her torment private to heal. No one would have blamed her. Instead she bravely speaks out about her ordeal in an attempt to both help her violated country, and to help other victims of sexual assault.
I'm delighted that she has found joy in her marriage and child, and has been granted asylum in England, but as of publication, the fate of her other family members is unknown. I will not close my eyes at night without a prayer for her relatives and the people of Darfur, which also raises the question: WHERE IS THE WORLD??? Why is my USA, as well as the other countries who cried "never again!" after the Holocaust of the last century, so strangely silent? Dr. Bashir chose to become a voice for her oppressed people. The remainder of humanity has a moral obligation to join theirs to hers.
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