N4/Mayada,Daughter of Iraq / non-fiction biography / by Jean Sasson/USED/Yellow spot/cond C

Mayada, Daughter of Iraq is a non-fiction biography written by Jean Sasson, first published in 2003. The book details the harrowing true story of Mayada Al-Askari, an aristocratic Iraqi woman who was falsely imprisoned under Saddam Hussein’s regime.Key Narrative DetailsThe Protagonist: Mayada Al-Askari came from a highly prominent, influential Iraqi lineage. One of her grandfathers fought alongside Lawrence of Arabia, her other grandfather was a celebrated early Arab nationalist, and her uncle served as Prime Minister.The Arrest: Despite her family's historic status, Mayada was a divorced mother running a small print shop in Baghdad when she was abruptly arrested in August 1999. The regime's secret police falsely accused her of printing anti-government propaganda.The Imprisonment: She was thrown into Cell 52 of the notorious Baladiyat Prison, a brutal torture complex. Inside, she shared a cramped space with 17 other prisoners known as the "shadow women".Survival Strategy: To maintain their sanity and block out the agonizing screams of prisoners being tortured, the women took turns sharing their life stories. Mayada fascinated her cellmates with tales of her family history, royalty, and her past face-to-face encounters with Saddam Hussein himself.The Outcome: Mayada survived the ordeal and eventually escaped to Jordan. She partnered with author Jean Sasson to write this memoir as a powerful witness to the atrocities committed against ordinary citizens under the Ba'ath regime.Author ContextJean Sasson is a bestselling American author highly recognized for documenting the struggles of women in the Middle East. She is widely famous for her Princess trilogy (Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia).….....