oved this book. Lots of interesting information to digest. This is a great read for anyone who loves to read about history. Very well written

The Daughters of Kobani
A Story of Rebellion, Courage and Justice
by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

This is a look at a heroic troop of women who dared to fight a strong opponent. The women in this book fought ISIS. They fought a military battle, often putting themselves in danger to protect their friends and beat their opponents. Their actions would shame powerful countries to act. This book explores their journey and their motivations for joining the fight. In addition, it’s a well-researched exploration into a pivotal time in history.
I must admit that some of the detailed discussion of military tactics dragged at times, but on the whole, it read like a gripping adventure story. I highly recommend you read this book.

Read this in 2 days… As a true story some of its hard to read, we are told the stories of the Kurdish woman fighters as they are at war with isis . The bravery of these woman shouldn’t be forgotten. I think everyone should read this to educate them selves on what happened and still goes on in the word.

I tend towards pacifism so accounts of military campaigns don't usually interest me - but women defying conventional norms do. This is recent and important history and I story that has been generally overlooked. I hadn't followed much of the fight against Islamic State (too much news watching is bad for my anxiety) so I am really pleased to have learned some of what I should have already known. I was amazed by the bravery and determination of the women whose lives made up the pages of this book - both inspiring and intimidating. I definitely would read more from this author (and have requested more titles from the publisher!) who presented the devastation of modern warfare without melodrama or gratuitousness, but drew out a fascinating picture of human tenacity in the face of the evils of fanaticism and terrorism.

This book centres on the story of the YPJ or the Women’s Protection Units, the Kurdish women’s military force that was so vital in driving ISIS out of Northern Syria.
The author tells us how the YPJ came into existence and the historical/ideological basis that led to the creation of a women’s militia that played such a significant part in the fight against ISIS.
We are given a quick history of Ocalan, his influences and how he has influenced his Kurdish followers.
I remember Ocalan and the PKK from the late 1970s. Even then, while I supported their cause I was less enthusiastic about their methods. In addition, a lifelong interest in history and current affairs has taught me to be cautious about movements with a Marxist-Leninist ideology.
However, the views that Ocalan and his followers adhere to concerning the equality of women are quite stunning.
We also learn how all Kurds, adherents of Ocalan’s beliefs or not, have been oppressed and discriminated against, often violently, by Syria’s Ba’ath regime and other regimes in the region.

This book follows the women of the YPJ as they fight to regain their country from ISIS. The fighting is dangerous and difficult, sometimes progress is made inch by inch, frequently they face booby-traps and car bombs, with ISIS fighters hiding behind human shields. The description of life under the black flag of ISIS sounds like a medieval dystopia, the accounts of their actions make me feel physically sick.
Despite the dangers, particularly as women fighting ISIS, the YPJ display courage, determination and skill. They earn the respect shown them by male colleagues and stand up for their belief in women’s right to equality even when the fighting is done.

This book also reminded me of my sense of desperate futility when hearing news reports about the Yazidi trapped on Mount Sinjar, starving to death in the freezing cold while the ‘super-powers’ looked on, incapable of offering anything more than a few blankets and basic rations. It was the brave Kurds who stepped in and rescued these poor people from the ravages of the mountaintop and the savagery of ISIS.

The US security personnel on the ground recognise the strengths of this military force and how essential they are to the fight against ISIS but the governmental support is hesitant and equivocal.
It is infuriating to comprehend that the US constantly refrains from showing full support for the Kurds at Turkey’s insistence. Turkey, a country that has a problematic record for its treatment of minorities and in recent years has shown little respect for free speech and other democratic values yet are given a free hand in trying to destroy a usefully ally simply because they are a member of NATO.

The writing is clear and mostly concise. A couple of times it became bogged down in the minutiae of house to house fighting but I felt that this gave me an understanding of the frustration and stress of waging a battle in such circumstances.

I enjoyed learning about these women and found them warm, admirable and inspiring.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in the subject.

After reading Yeonmi Park’s In Order to Live and I Am Malala recently and finding their journeys so insightful and interesting I was really looking forward to reading The Daughters of Kobani and expanding my knowledge further. However, I found it really difficult to keep track of the individuals and organised groups. I don’t know whether reading the authors previous books would help me understand but it unfortunately wasn’t for me.
It was the first book in a few years that I did not finish. I must say, I’d possibly prefer the book in printed form so it had more structure maybe that would make it easier to read and I do feel that I’m robbing myself of knowledge by not persevering but I can’t complete this right now.
Please note I will not be publishing this review anywhere else.