A very insightful and important read - this book gives much honest insight into life in Iran, how it has come to be the way it is and why change is slow - without posting spoilers and/or directly quoting Shirin, I will say that all Americans - and really anyone else living in 'free' states should read this book. For one thing, it will remind us of how good we have it despite of course our state's own imperfection. For another it is important to spread awareness regarding the quality of life, treatment of women and why people live the way they do in other cultures. Shirin does a wonderful job of proudly describing her culture, sharing with the reader the positive and negative aspects objectively while demonstrating an obvious pride in her home and culture.

She is a wonderful writer, well-spoken and this really is an important read -while of course, managing to be interesting. Please read this and share it. FYI: the United States actually has a law in place that automatically banned this book from being published here, simply because of where the author is from. Being a lawyer, and the brilliant, outspoken woman she is - she actually sued the U.S. government, successfully for the right for this book to be available here - please do not let her valiant efforts go unappreciated.