Desert Flower
Subtitle: The Extraordinary Journey Of A Desert Nomad
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Published: October 6, 1999
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 240
ISBN-13: 9780688172374
Subjects: Somalia; Women social reformers; General; Biography / Autobiography; Biography & Autobiography; Women in politics; Biography/Autobiography; Women; Political; Ethnic Cultures - General; Biography & Autobiography / Literary; Women's rights; Biography
First sentence: A slight sound woke me, and when I opened my eyes, I was staring into the face of a lion.
Description: "Desert Flower is the compelling autobiography of supermodel Waris Dirie, born into a traditional Somali family of nomads who believed in such archaic customs as female genital mutilation and arranged marriages between prepubescent girls and elderly men, for a dowry of a few goats and camels.".

"The young Waris survived exploitation, attempted rape, and casual violence as she tenaciously fought her way as far as London, where she took a job as a maid for a distant uncle. There, as she struggled to learn to read and write, her striking beauty caught the eye of a photographer, and soon she had launched a modeling career that would take her all the way to New York City and international celebrity.

Today, as a special ambassador appointed by the United Nations, she travels the world speaking out against female genital mutilation, promoting the cause of women's rights, and educating people about the war-torn, drought-parched region of Africa she fled - but still loves deeply."--BOOK JACKET.