Rating: 
Summary: Well written, but as for the contents.
Review: As a British-Iranian, having spent most of my life in Great Britain, the things that I say might be viewed as if I read this book in a single-minded manner. On the contrary, I read this book very open-mindedly, having been away from Iran for many years. I believe that this book was written well with a good balance in terms of literature. But as for the contents, the way in which Betty describes the story I think is a little unjust and unfair. What has to be remembered, is that at the time which Betty spent in Iran, the country had just gone through a revolution and after all the turmoil the people were nervous and anxious to find out what the future held for them. Iran was also in the middle of a war, after the unsuccessful invasion by Iraq. So by all means, as I personally remember, Iran was a difficult place to be in at the time, as would any other country that goes through a war and a revolution. So if anger strikes amongst people, it could be a little understandable. However, this DEFINITELY does NOT mean taking it out on other people... a picture which Betty tries to paint all throughout. I am sure Betty had a difficult time in Iran, and was always looking for ways to escape, but maybe that itself was her husband's soft-spot?? I would say that in many aspects, Betty used her 'sensational book' to cause nothing but offence to those Iranians who do get offended by such things. For example, to suggest that the people of a country only take a bath once a year - on New Year's Day, is totally out of this world! I think that such parts of Betty's book were little more than gimmicks to keep the reader interested. Also, I'm certain everyone would agree that there are two sides to every story. And having heard parts of "the other side" to this story - namely, Betty's husband, I would say that it is interesting how no reference was made to the fact that Betty was a mental patient of Dr Mahmoody. That in itself would have a bearing on the story, would you not agree? If it's argued that that is a lie, then, any sensible person would repeat the same about Betty's story!
Rating: 
Summary: it boils down to one thing
Review: I loved this book. I have read through it a bunch of times and I always find it just as compelling. In a later review, I will get into that one more. In the meantime, I want to comment on the criticisms I see over and over. You accuse her of being biased. Let's consider some facts. Betty Mahmoody went to Iran with her daughter. That is a fact. Her husband would not let her leave. That is a fact. She was held against her will. Yes, I know she could have theoretically forced a divorce which would have gotten her deported but her daughter would have been stuck there. She was not allowed to leave freely and on her own terms simply because she was a woman. That is a fact that is written into the country's law. Criticize her if you feel you must. But just remember that she was held against her will just beacause of her gender. There is no justification for that. Please, tell me. What defense could her husband possibly have?
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring
Review: Not Without My Daughter is an inspiring book about a courageous mom who fights for the freedom of herself and her daughter. She refuses to live the rest of her life in fear of her husband in Iran. It seems as if no one will help them and they'll be stuck there forever. It is a terrifying true story that will have your heart racing throughout the entire book. You are there with Betty and Mahtob as they struggle to escape the prison they're being held in. This book is definitely worth reading and one you won't be able to put down. It opens your eyes to the other cultures of the world. It also made me appreciate being an American citizen.
Rating:
Summary: An absolutely compelling story.
Review: This book tells about one woman's courage and strength. Those who panned this book should remember Betty Mahmoody agreed to go to Iran only because her husband "promised" her they would only stay two weeks. He announced just a few days before their scheduled departure that he lost his job and they would remain in Iran. He betrayed her in a very big way. Since, according to government rules, she could not divorce Moody without losing her daughter or if she left the country without Mahtob to visit her dying father, she would not be permited to return. Remember, Betty did not want to live according to their culture and she had that choice since these are modern times. As a result, Betty was going to leave the country anyway she could. There have been Iranian women who have left the country never wanting to return also. Yes, she is negative toward the country but she is not the only one who has escaped Iran or other such countries. Not Without My Daughter is one of the most compelling life experience stories I have ever read. I will read it again and again.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing Story
Review: I bought this book right after it was published, curled up with it, and could not put it down, finally finishing it at 5:30 the following morning. When I try to imagine what I would do in those circumstances, I am overwhelmed with Betty's bravery and fortitude, even today as she continues to help other 21st century women escape 7th century attitudes and notions. I would like to learn about her life in hiding from her husband as she raised their daughter in freedom, knowing that if he could, he would snatch the child away. I recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: do not stereotype
Review: Although I have not read the book, I have seen the movie several times. I cannot say I was not touched by the difficulties Betty, as a character in this movie, faced. I know that life in Iran was, and probably still is, not the best for people to live freely, men and women alike. However, one should be careful not to make stereotypes of this. People in that part of the world, are very warm-hearted, kind and helpful . I would tend to think that Betty did not really have all this hatred and mistreatment from all of Mahmoody family members.
I also would like to comment on one reviewer's note who said that if he had to read 2 books about that part of the world, he would chose this book and Midnight Express.
First of all, Persia and the Middle East have been there for thousands of years. Cultures after cultures, people after people. I can't see myself as a learned person saying that I can know all about them from two books, basically two books by the same author
, William Hoffer. And how am I to judge that Turkey and the people there are so bad, just by reading the story of a drug smuggler who was jailed for his deeds. And now, I think as an American, I should be really careful writing such reviews and believe them, because the day is coming soon when all Americans will be viewed by the rest of the world as people who would mistreat others under their custody by abusing them in the most inhumane ways known. I would never want us to be judged by the photos of abuse of Iraqi prisoners, and so I would never want to judge other peoples of the world by two such novels.
Rating:
Summary: Very Interesting Story
Review: I never had the chance to read the book, but I have watched the movie like over a thousand times and I still cannot get over how women over in that part of the county get treated. I think Betty was a very brave woman to do what she did about how she escaped from Iran with her daughter. Even though Betty was finally returned home to America with her daughter, I am just curious about one thing. Did Betty's ex-husband or anybody in his family ever return to the United States to try to get their daughter back? Or if Betty and her daughter were just able to freely live in America without worrying about wheather betty's ex-husband would come back to snatch their daughter away from her or what happened? There was no update on the story after the return to America. I do plan to read the book someday.
Rating:
Summary: Spectacular
Review: I really enjoyed the book. Knowing that it was a true story was great because it put you right in Iran and you can just imagine everything that is going on in your mind. I thought it was a great piece of writing and it gave a lot of information on what did and what could really happen. I could not put it down there was something new on every page. It also made me see that I am really lucky to be an American!
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, albeit infuriating
Review: It's been some 20 years since Betty and Mahtob's experience in Iran and yet for some reason I'm just now seeing the movie and reading the book. I have to say, I derived immense pleasure knowing that the woman escaped the prison that Moody had planned for her and their daughter. I know the proud Iranians/Persians in the world are grimacing with disgust at the mere mention of her name, but it's mainly because she won. After putting up barriers meant to scare women into submission, they still lost and she won. What, exactly did she win though? She won a life of looking over her shoulder, of wondering when he was going to have one of his multitudes of "nephews" sneak into the country, grab Mahtob, and take off, the way she had taken off from Iran. If she could do it there, he could certainly do it in the States. We have a lot more borders and a lot easier time crossing them. When I saw the movie on HBO it was 3:00 in the morning and I was aghast. I sat on the sofa like a piece of the upholstery and did not move an inch until it was over. I immediately logged on Amazon and purchased the book and DVD to make sure I was seeing what I thought I was seeing. At that moment I was so angry at Moody for what he did to her that I wanted to hop the next plane to Iran just to spit in his face. Of course, I would never do that, but I have never felt such an emotional uprising at a movie/book before. This one is really well written though and even if it is only 80 % true, then I'm still upset and offended that we, as a country, haven't gone into those third-world countries and demanded that our children be returned, those born on American soil, if that is their choice. That's a heck of a lot better reason to start a war than OIL. The problem which vexes me most is, being a Christian, we are taught from childhood that one does not intermingle faiths. I believe the Bible says exactly in 2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? Translation? Those who believe in Jesus Christ would be advised to marry others who believe in Jesus and not those who follow Mohammad. Betty ought to have been taught that from childhood. It doesn't work. I'd like to think that if I had made the same error in judgment that I would have known not to go to Iran (I know how women are "treated" by Iranian/Persian men) and if I did compound my first error of marrying, my second error of procreating and my third error of following this person back to his native land, that I would have at least had the common sense to know that if he had lost his marbles, I should most assuredly not try to make matters worse by insulting him, his family, his religion and so on and so forth. I imagine myself doing everything a good Muslem wife would do, until that second arrived that I could free myself and my child by playing the game. It is my way of thinking that a woman has a right to the child she bears if she is a good mother and takes care of them. Betty obviously loves her child and regretted the error of going to Iran. She did what she had to in order to ensure that her child would not be killed in an attack, or raped, or butchered, battered by her father during one of his many episodes of bipolar/schizophrenic mania, or even worse, to grow up a subservient in a world that hates America and everything about it. She gambled and she won, simple as that. They are just mad because she got out to tell the story the way it actually happened. Otherwise, why in twenty years has Dr. Mahmoody not stood up to refute her claims? If she made some money off the deal then BULLY FOR HER!! He could have done the same by publishing something to the contrary. The movie is wonderfully done (Sally Fields can dress up any part she plays), exceptionally close to the book, and the book is really great. I hung on every syllable until the end, even reading the translations in the back.
Rating:
Summary: I BELIEVED EVERY WORD!!
Review: Having watched the movie numerous times, this book was a must-read. It is riveting from page one until the end. Betty Mahmoody went through hell with her Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde husband. There are many reviews I see here (mostly from Iranians) that renounce Betty and deny that Iranian culture is as she has depicted. However, I worked with a young lady who married an Iranian and he treated this sweet, beautiful girl the way Dr. Mahmoody treated Betty. And he did this while in America!! Furthermore, when his family visited him and she brought them into our office to see where his wife worked they were exactly as Betty Mahmoody described her own in-laws. The women were clad in their chadors barely daring to breathe...(while we held our breath because of their 'stench'.) This young man (my friend's husband) wouldn't let her associate with any of us outside the office and she was deathly afraid of him. As a result, she finally divorced him, thank the Lord, and moved back to Michigan with her family. Thank God she had no children by him or she would have suffered the same fate as Betty and Mahtob. One time he actually threated to cut her up in pieces and throw them in the garbage can...(sound familiar????) THis is why I believed every word Betty wrote in her book. No one should be treated as subhuman, male or female. True, there are good and bad in every culture, including America. Unfortunately, seeing what my friend went through and reading what Betty and Mahtob went through with these 'animals' makes me proud to be an American and never to take anything in this country for granted. People won't accept the fact that what Betty Mahmoody went through was harrowing and true. I believed every word she wrote and thank the good Lord above He helped her get away from the devil himself!!
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