Princess Sultana's Daughters

It can be the USA or the highest society in Mexico City or another part of the world like Asia or the Middle East and women are found as part of a yet unacknowledged worldwide women's sisterhood all fighting for the same rights and full recognition given to men for half the work women do. Princess Sultana is no exception but even in her privileged status she speaks out for the injustice done by men to women financially and socially like the story she relates of the humble grandmother she knew and aided in the hope to stop the forced circumcision the woman's granddaughter was going to suffer. An abominable tradition not always followed but They failed.East or West women share the same inequality and discrimination camouflaged in different forms and shapes in family tradition. culture, religion or myths created by men and followed by women who are too burdened by work and responsibilities to care to analyze.In the US there's many forms of injustice despite "advances". Theres many Anita Hills serving a Clarence Thomas for survival of her job and professional position. Seldom a woman will shackle her chains loud enough to be heard. The main reason is the fear of rebellion who will make men put a women in check by making her to loose her privileges at home or in the office, or maybe both. A woman's highest handicap is her ignorance and perceived inability to fight for her rights. the acceptance of an unrecognized gender injustice imposed on her in subtle and not so subtle ways.women keep a forced silence for fear of loosing status and privilege and being set apart as "difficult" just as Anita Hill was. Too much is lost. We have one life. Princess Sultana is far away from us in Saudi Arabia and she makes us feel free and safe to evaluate and criticize a different culture and the status of Saudi women as mothers, wives and at times as secret lovers. Her obstacles are immense in a society ruled by religion and government enforced by a few. So strong is the double weapon of clergy and royalty that the holiest book: theKoran with all its wisdom and directives is twisted and misquotedTo satisfy the will and lust of powerful men who rule over so many women.the liberation seed implanted by the Princess starts to germinate within us and we start to assess our own system and situation.We gain empowerment sharing the dreams and sorrows of a strong woman living a privileged status as Princess Sultana enjoying royal life with all its pains and a good share of almost insurmountable temptations to blind us all to the injustice done to Saudi women by men but Sultana is a woman who is not blinded by luxury and money to silence her conscience and sense of justice. Other women in her family are blinded by diamonds, travel and precious rubies. Unafraid of no one Sultana speaks for the truth and shackles submissiveness in traditional roles. Her husband and males around her learn to fear her and respect her. She fights and looses battles but speaks The truth loud and clear for other women to hear and fight for in their own societies around the world, rich or poor, single or married, beautiful or plain. For themselves and for their daughters and in doing so they begin to transform men of the next generation. Her own son helps a bride escape the clutches of her disapproving family and reunites her away from Saudi Arabia to the husbandShe would have lost forever.Princess Sultana becomes a friend to every woman alive. Her story is easy and entertaining to read as a woman who sought balance and justice in an oppressive society. she gives us hope and the strength and power to fight for our own unclaimed freedoms and be valued as workers, wives and mothers. By becoming part of Sultanas inner circle we begin to question ourselves, our roles And expectations in the particular society in which we live in and gradually grow to recognize the subtle and insidious ways women are mentally manipulated by men supported by the cultural and economic myths that sustain the "technical" and "modern and progressive" advancedsociety in which men created and support.Yes, Saudi Arabia does not allow women to drive yet and voting, I believe, is a recent privilege but How many women Presidents have we had in the US? We had Indira Gandhi in India, Golda Mayer in Israel and at least half a dozen supreme heads of state in Latin Ametica in the past and present.But how many women Presidents in the US? Why not so far?Princess Sultans books far from entertaining are a loving inviting hand not only into her world but a world inside yourself that will empower you to reclaim a world that is yours yet unclaimed. Highly readable and entertaining. Five stars not enough. It opened my eyes and gave me a better sense of the gender battle ground in every society.

We live in a world where the terms Muslim and Islam are thrown around in the press and almost always with little understanding of the culture and traditions implied in and by the terms. I, myself, am widely read, extremely open and tolerant of others, but know less than I should about the religion of Islam or the culture being lived around the world by Muslim people. I am also increasingly interested in women's issues as a grandmother of 5 granddaughters witnessing the Talibanization of uber right Conservative Christian elements in our society.This book is written by an American author, but in the words of a Saudi Princess, who is carefully anonymized, but who is herself of the newer generations who seek to throw off some of the oppressive elements of their Muslim culture which is very controlling and punishing of women.There are 3 books in this series, and all are absolutely fascinating looks into a world that I, as an American, could not even imagine. First of all Saudi royalty is a place I will never know. But the predominance of the oppression of women, even among the wealthy who are in some ways above some of the rigidity of it all, is incredible. I had no idea the culture of genital mutilation of females was such a prevalent part of the culture. But that is not the focus of the book - still it is part of the culture and is emotionally upsetting to consider. It puts a new complexion on the efforts in our country to try to use religion to force women into a second-class position controlled by men, whose goal is not loving enhancement of the experience of life for their women, but domination and management of women to fulfill their own male aims/wants and desires. Equality is a hard thing, but it is infinitely desirable compared to dominance and oppression.I have read the first and second books, this book is #2, the first is Sultana, the second this book and the third, Princess Sultana's Circle. I am just beginning book 3 and the effect of reading to this point has been very broadening, educational, concerning, and expanding of my consciousness. The writing style is excellent. The subject matter is what it is and as I say, interesting and consciousness raising.I highly recommend this series of three books.

I understand how terrible life would be for women in Saudi sand other countries where they are less than second class citizens, but it is often difficult to sympathize with the wealthy, especially the kind of wealthy and powerful, as Sultana' s family because they have lives beyond what most of us have beyond our imaginations simply because of their wealth. There are many kinds of prisons and struggling financially, or living in true poverty, is just as bad as when we women have no rights. When you live in poverty, how do you exercise your rights? What good does the right to drive do when you can't afford a car? What about the mother who faces losing her children, not because she has the right to them, but because she is homeless and has no home for them and no way to provide for them? I support equality for women, but I also support a better distribution of wealth. It is obscene for people such the royals of Saudi Arabia to have so much when so many have so little.

I read "Princess" and was absolutely enthralled for about 3/4 of the book. I'm glad I read Princess Sultana's Daughters because I was curious how a person could have shared so much of their life experiences and not expect her identity to be revealed. This, the second book of the series reminded me that children who are raised in such an insular society have trouble developing strong values. I also wondered how they coped with the world in the 2000's. I completed this book, but really should have stopped after reading Princess.

great thanks

Not as good as the first book but still interesting enough.

Cant find it on my Kindle

Excellent book to read...

super book. Realistic and mind blowing what females in that culture endure. Horrible treatment even by men that are blood relatives.

Really connected with this second book in the trilogy. So hard to comprehend living this life despite the richness and excess.

I was quite fascinated by the first book, which was a great fast read, very diverting. I was quite eager to read the next installment, so I got this book right after I finished...

4.5 starsLike the first book in the series, I read this in one day. While I still have no idea whether the story is true, I found it fascinating and thoroughly recommend it.

Gripping, and a page turner. Really gives an insight into Islamic culture. Just wish we could have a real identity, and see a real LIVE interview with the woman.

The book condition was exactly as described! Thanks