The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State Paperback – Unabridged, October 16, 2018

So well narrated, that it took me to the streets and villages of Kocho and other Iraqi towns. It must have taken enormous courage for Nadia to come up and share with the world about her gruesome experiences. If I could rate this book 10 stars, I would have.

I have always been fascinated by real stories from real people--their culture, values, environment, the things, events and people that shaped them and added to their life's purpose or passion. This true story does not disappoint! In fact, I had a hard time putting it down once I started.In terms of the writing and all else that goes into writing a book, this one is of excellent quality. The grammar and punctuation, sentence structure, editing etc., are impeccable. The author provides a map so the reader can identify key places in the story. There are photos of various family members and adequate explanations for words that the average person, unfamiliar with the various ethnicities, politics, culture and religions of Iraq would not be familiar with. Nadia does an excellent job bringing her country to life for the reader and allowing us a glimpse of what life was like before ISIS took over her beloved village and changed the lives of so many.As we look back at even our own country's history, I'm sure there are tragedies that caused alarm, suffering and great loss. Tragedies such as: JFK's assassination, the Oklahoma City Bombing, the Holocaust, 9/11/2001,Columbine and other school shootings, the Challenger explosion, Patty Hearst kidnapping, the Las Vegas shooting, Hurricane Katrina, etc. So much devastation and yet so many of us banded together, shared our stories, offered our thoughts, prayers and support. We felt compelled to be a part of the solution rather than part of the problem. We faced the ugliness head on. And then time flew by and our memories faded some. Do we ever wonder at what cost? Who will the bad guys target next? Will it be more strangers, an acquaintance or friend? Will it be one of us and our families. What and who will be left?There may always be another terrorist or evil-doer in this world. Are we prepared to look at the ugly truths so we aren't caught unaware and forced to lose the very things and people who define us? One can only hope. Nadia and her courageous story brings us a step or two closer to looking at real world problems such as genocide, terrorism and much more. She reminds us to be aware, to help others and to take a strong stand against injustice!

Of ISIS’ acts of genocide and persecution of the Yazidi ethnic minority in Iraq. This young woman’s story is tremendously sad, and very difficult reading about the recurrent rapes, but demonstrates resilience in her quest to expose the acts of ISIS.

This.book was hard to read but.so.worth reading. It is a people and a story I had never heard. I'm glad it was one of our book club reads to get me out of my comfort zone.

I wasn’t prepared for how Nadia Murad’s story would effect me. Since 9/11 as an American, I felt like the Middle East was just filled with nothing but Muslim Extremists who I could not find any sympathy at all for.This story has changed me and my perspective on the many diverse cultures and religious communities throughout Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries.Nadia Murad is not Muslim. She is a Yazidi - an ancient non-Muslim religion and people who lived in a community that ISIS destroyed. I didn’t know about the massacre of Yazidis or their genocide under ISIS. What Nadia and other women endured under this evil regime is appalling. Yet, the family that helped her escape was devout Sunni Muslims who were against ISIS. It’s so easy as Americans to group people or religions, etc., as all bad or all good. We need to change or, at least, I do.The fight for dignity for every human is important. I don’t have the answers from reading this story. But, it has made me aware of my own personal mistakes.

“The Last Girl” is the story of Nadia Murad, a young Yazidi woman who was kidnapped by ISIS and forced into sexual slavery. The terror that ISIS brought to Murad, her family, and her community is so barbaric, yet illustrates how powerful and well-written “The Last Girl” is.Murad educates readers about Yazidi history, and how it is defined by its values, community, and its traditions. Unfortunately, it was those same values left the insular Yazidis so vulnerable to an ISIS attack. Murad isn’t just “telling” readers her story, but she is narrating a genocide that she happened to be a part of. In that sense, she is using her voice to speak of other Yazidis who went through what she did. Most enduring was that Murad never lost her will or her strength, which allowed her to be a Nobel Prize-winning activist.Strong is too trite of a word to describe the power of Nadia Murad’s strength.

Nadia's story is but one of many horrifying stories of the violence inflicted upon humanity by the evils of daesh. however Nadia's story is also one of hope & positivity. Her horrific treatment, her incredible escape & her beautiful journey to shed light on the stories of those who weren't as fortunate to escape...magnificent story & an absolute angel of a survivor. Nadia, you are a hero among us mortals

Memoirs like this are tough, beacuse of the horrible things humans can do to one another. Must be rrad to never forget ISIS and what the yazidis suffered