The Abuse of Power in Libya: A Young Woman's Story of Life in Gaddafi's Harem

XXX: Good read

India on May 11, 2023

KT: I liked this book even though it was disturbing. It was very well written & such a tragic story of women in countries where they are not respected by men.

United States on Jun 22, 2022

Roger N: Interesting read. Book was very interesting however lost interest at the end.

Canada on Dec 27, 2021

Andreas Johannes: Ich habe mir das Buch aufgrund des billigeren Preises auf englisch gekauft, und finde es daher etwas schwerer zu lesn als es möglichweise auf deutsch wäre, aber es ist auf jeden Fall absolut lesenswert, auch wenn es manchmal schwer erträglich ist, was die Autorin da erlebt hat.

Germany on Nov 18, 2015

Mohsen Madi: As a Libyan, I agree totally with Annick's findings and I believe every word she uttered on behalf of the victims she wrote the book about. Annick, you have really captured the ill mentality of the way Libyans face their shame and humility - by hiding and burying them and keeping silent about them, which is totally wrong - as wrong and despicable as the atrocities committed themselves. You are so true when you said: "Denial seems to be the operating principle of Libya's current masters and offers them the advantages of their never having to deal....". I have struggled against this very notion and continue to do so. I am sorry you had to weep because of the on goings in my country - if it's any consolation, we weep every day, every day.

The book is enlightening, informing, and is a must-read for Libyans and non-Libyans alike for those who seek the truth, unbuttered, and direct. It's okay if you feel you have been fooled by who the subject tyrant is in the past; at least after reading this text you can better judge about leaders from behind the scenes instead of from just the TV screens.

Annick, thank you for caring from the heart.

United States on Jul 10, 2015

Jeanne Alshouse: Horrible abuses noted - after a while you expect more of the same - and more of the same - I think I would rather have read a couple of chapters noting the story, but then no more descriptions of this horrible, despicable monster of a man.

United States on Aug 01, 2014

betsy: livre à lire expressement montre la cruauté de kaddafi et les mensonges que les
personnes qui font la politique font à tous pour avoir des droits entre président

France on Nov 30, 2013

Sharon Frisch: It is so unbelievable to learn about the atrocities that went on in Libya, under Gaddafi's rule, and probably go on in many other countries. It is shocking, horrible, unthinkable, and disgusting what young women are in danger of in some of these countries. We cannot imagine the torture and humiliation that only results in either death or ostracism from their society. Living in the United States, these stories are so foreign and practically unbelievable. Gaddafi was a despicable sociopath, a sex addict, a drug addict, and frankly a pig. How he ever managed to stay in power is a mystery to me, but of course it involves fear, money, and power. The things all despot leaders use to stay in power. This book opens up your eyes to a horrible reality and makes you appreciate our democratic country and our civil rights. The true victims are the women in these "M" countries. I hope one day they will be free.

United States on Oct 24, 2013

DOPPLEGANGER: For many years we heard and saw words and images depicting a country under the control of an erratic dictator, who controlled Libya with a rod of iron, and hatred filled rhetoric, and most of the world seemed to offer little support, comfort or physical assistance to save him and his regime from an internal uprising fueled by Western Allies. I cannot recall much worldwide sorrow when Muammar Gaddafi was dragged from a sewer tube like a frightened rat and crudely executed by his own people.

In her book "Gaddafi's Harem" special correspondent for Le Mode, and one of France's most admired journalists and author, Annick Cojean, reveals her meticulous research into another not as yet generally widely known aspect of this horrific man's evil characteristics namely his extreme sexual appetite fueled by massive a consumption of cocaine and viagra. His perverted actions knew no bounds of decency, or compassion, only excessive cruelty and brutality to scores and scores of young women and girls who were unfortunate enough to be 'ordered' and normally forced by his pimps and procuresses to his bed. Many of the unfortunates were very young girls whom he like the look of on visits to...

United Kingdom on Oct 24, 2013

Kindle Customer: When the author, Annick Cojean, went to cover Libya post Gaddafi for Le Monde, she was struck by the absence of women among the rebels. Elsewhere in the Arab Spring, women had been present on the streets sharing the celebrations. She did come to learn that the Libyan women in fact had taken huge risks in passing information and supplies and hiding money. However, they were still trapped in a society that held the woman's place as in the home, guarded and hidden.

Part of the origin of this seclusion was the fact of Gaddafi and his policy of rape to suppress rebel activity. Even more insidious was his harvesting of young women he saw in schools and ceremonies for his own sexual purposes. The double blind for the woman is that the shame remains for her even when forced against her will. Such was the fate for Soroya abducted at age 15 and forced to fulfill all of Gaddafi's fantasies and to help fulfill his giant sex drive. Gaddafi, unsurprisingly, found humiliation of women to be stirring, and kept a harem for his purposes.

Rape and sexual exploitation is not new in the world of the dictator. Sexual himliation is unfortunately an old tactic for the subjugation of people....

United States on Sep 03, 2013