Overview

What does it take to report from conflict zones? What good is neutrality in the face of suffering, and how much difference can one person make? From her first journalistic assignment in Gaza to covering the Arab Spring in Egypt, Sherine Tadros searched for ways to change people’s lives for the better. It wasn’t until her life fell apart that she found the courage to pursue her true purpose. With compassion and verve, Tadros now shares her remarkable journey, from witnessing injustice to fighting it in the corridors of power. In probing the line between journalism and activism, her memoir Taking Sides demonstrates why stories matter — and how we can all use our voices to inspire meaningful change.

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9781915590633

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Reviews

‘An engaging, intelligent, and intensely personal story set against the backdrop of conflict in Lebanon, Gaza, and Egypt.’ -- Lara Marlowe * The Irish Times * ‘Sherine Tadros has written a gripping and powerful memoir of her journey through journalism, hope, and despair to activism. It’s a candid guidebook that will empower anyone who wants to make the world a better place.’ -- Kim Ghattas, author of <em>Black Wave</em> ‘Taking Sides isn’t just a memoir but a call to action. It’s a testimony to how fighting inequality and injustice takes continuous engagement by those who choose to step up.’ -- Leymah Gbowee, activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate ‘I read this exquisite and courageous book in one sitting: I could not put it down.’ -- Arwa Damon, humanitarian and former senior international correspondent for CNN ‘As a journalist and powerful storyteller, Sherine Tadros immerses us in some of the Middle East’s most compelling recent periods — Hezbollah’s struggle for power in Lebanon, Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, the Tahrir Square pro-democracy protests in Egypt. Yet after living through these dramatic moments, she recognises that recording them is not enough. She decides to abandon the neutrality of journalism to become a human rights advocate, so she can contribute her remarkable communication skills to those seeking justice. A captivating story told with humility, passion, and flair.’ -- Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch ‘Full of compassion, heart, and intellect. This is an important book about what it takes to be a conflict reporter, a woman, and the holder of a tender heart. As well as providing a window into the world of global journalism and international organisations, Sherine Tadros is a truth-teller working on the frontlines of storytelling, human rights, and advocacy.’ -- Janine di Giovanni, executive director of The Reckoning Project and author of <em>The Vanishing</em> ‘Superbly written, with great thoughtfulness and yet such tempo. Sherine Tadros’s telling of her story as a television journalist in war and a human rights activist at the UN deserves to be read widely. Her honesty and her clarity of thought will make this a classic among journalists, and those mulling the thorny dilemmas she probes with enormous skill.’ -- Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, CEO of the International Peace Institute and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights ‘Sherine Tadros is a profile in courage. Her story is for anyone who has found themselves looking for a way to make an impact while surmounting personal struggles and heartbreak. In her journalism and now in her activism, she has always succeeded in telling people’s stories and changing the course of history. She has highlighted injustice and worked to redress it. Taking Sides is a guidebook on how to make the world a better place and the sacrifices you have to make along the way.’ -- Lulu Garcia-Navarro, journalist and host of <em>New York Times</em> Podcast <em>First Person</em> ‘While delivering an engaging memoir — told with self-deprecating humour and much self-awareness — Tadros also provides sober and important insights into the modern “Middle East”. She makes accessible to any reader the region’s overlooked humanity and triumphs, as well as its all-too-frequent heartbreaks, from those suffered collectively to intensely personal ones — bravely, Tadros also includes her own. You cannot but cheer her on in her new vocation, even as she leaves journalism — a field she so excelled in and which misses her already.’ -- Alia Malek, journalist and author of <i>The Home That Was Our Country</i> ‘[A] mixture of memoir, confession and, unsurprisingly, astute political observation.’ -- Steven Carroll * The Sydney Morning Herald * ‘A riveting coming-of-age chronicle which catches your breath, warms your heart, and leaves you full of admiration.’ -- Lyse Doucet, BBC Chief International Correspondent and senior presenter ‘A natural storyteller, Tadros’s story of her time as a reporter and an activist is readily readable, insightful and deeply moving. A powerful memoir.’ -- Jeff Popple * Canberra Weekly Magazine * ‘Impassioned recollections of a war correspondent and geopolitical advocate … The author’s writing is clear and passionate … A solid contribution to current conversations about privilege and consensus-building for international crises.’ * Kirkus Reviews *

‘An engaging, intelligent, and intensely personal story set against the backdrop of conflict in Lebanon, Gaza, and Egypt.’ -- Lara Marlowe * The Irish Times * ‘Sherine Tadros has written a gripping and powerful memoir of her journey through journalism, hope, and despair to activism. It’s a candid guidebook that will empower anyone who wants to make the world a better place.’ -- Kim Ghattas, author of <em>Black Wave</em> ‘Taking Sides isn’t just a memoir but a call to action. It’s a testimony to how fighting inequality and injustice takes continuous engagement by those who choose to step up.’ -- Leymah Gbowee, activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate ‘I read this exquisite and courageous book in one sitting: I could not put it down.’ -- Arwa Damon, humanitarian and former senior international correspondent for CNN ‘As a journalist and powerful storyteller, Sherine Tadros immerses us in some of the Middle East’s most compelling recent periods — Hezbollah’s struggle for power in Lebanon, Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, the Tahrir Square pro-democracy protests in Egypt. Yet after living through these dramatic moments, she recognises that recording them is not enough. She decides to abandon the neutrality of journalism to become a human rights advocate, so she can contribute her remarkable communication skills to those seeking justice. A captivating story told with humility, passion, and flair.’ -- Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch ‘Full of compassion, heart, and intellect. This is an important book about what it takes to be a conflict reporter, a woman, and the holder of a tender heart. As well as providing a window into the world of global journalism and international organisations, Sherine Tadros is a truth-teller working on the frontlines of storytelling, human rights, and advocacy.’ -- Janine di Giovanni, executive director of The Reckoning Project and author of <em>The Vanishing</em> ‘Superbly written, with great thoughtfulness and yet such tempo. Sherine Tadros’s telling of her story as a television journalist in war and a human rights activist at the UN deserves to be read widely. Her honesty and her clarity of thought will make this a classic among journalists, and those mulling the thorny dilemmas she probes with enormous skill.’ -- Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, CEO of the International Peace Institute and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights ‘Sherine Tadros is a profile in courage. Her story is for anyone who has found themselves looking for a way to make an impact while surmounting personal struggles and heartbreak. In her journalism and now in her activism, she has always succeeded in telling people’s stories and changing the course of history. She has highlighted injustice and worked to redress it. Taking Sides is a guidebook on how to make the world a better place and the sacrifices you have to make along the way.’ -- Lulu Garcia-Navarro, journalist and host of <em>New York Times</em> Podcast <em>First Person</em> ‘While delivering an engaging memoir — told with self-deprecating humour and much self-awareness — Tadros also provides sober and important insights into the modern “Middle East”. She makes accessible to any reader the region’s overlooked humanity and triumphs, as well as its all-too-frequent heartbreaks, from those suffered collectively to intensely personal ones — bravely, Tadros also includes her own. You cannot but cheer her on in her new vocation, even as she leaves journalism — a field she so excelled in and which misses her already.’ -- Alia Malek, journalist and author of <i>The Home That Was Our Country</i> ‘[A] mixture of memoir, confession and, unsurprisingly, astute political observation.’ -- Steven Carroll * The Sydney Morning Herald * ‘A riveting coming-of-age chronicle which catches your breath, warms your heart, and leaves you full of admiration.’ -- Lyse Doucet, BBC Chief International Correspondent and senior presenter ‘A natural storyteller, Tadros’s story of her time as a reporter and an activist is readily readable, insightful and deeply moving. A powerful memoir.’ -- Jeff Popple * Canberra Weekly Magazine * ‘Impassioned recollections of a war correspondent and geopolitical advocate … The author’s writing is clear and passionate … A solid contribution to current conversations about privilege and consensus-building for international crises.’ * Kirkus Reviews * ‘This memoir by human-rights advocate Tadros, deputy director of advocacy and representative to the United Nations for Amnesty International, illuminates horrific war crimes, brutal state repression, and more, without ever losing sight of humanity’s power to create meaningful, systems-based change … More than a memoir, this book demonstrates why stories matter and how to utilise them for positive change. A vital read for activists.’ -- <i>Library Journal</i>, starred review

Author Information

Sherine Tadros is the Deputy Director of Advocacy and Representative to the United Nations for Amnesty International. She leads a team of senior advocates to lobby for the protection and promotion of human rights around the world. Prior to that, Tadros was a Middle East correspondent and news anchor for Al Jazeera English and Sky News, where among other events she reported on the Gaza Wars of 2008 and 2014, the Arab Uprisings, and the rise of the Islamic State group in Iraq. The accolades for her work in human rights and journalism include a Peabody Award, an Emmy nomination, and several Royal Television Society Awards. Tadros is an experienced speaker and moderator. Her engagements include speaking at the UN General Assembly and a Rwandan peacebuilding conference, as well as moderating the FIFA Conference for Equality and Inclusion in Zurich. Tadros grew up in the United Kingdom, graduating with a degree in politics from SOAS University of London and a master’s degree in Middle East Politics. She lives in New York and can be found on Twitter @SherineT.

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