The Kiss of Saddam

Overview

One woman's extraordinary story of life, love and her fight for freedom. After growing up in a privileged and cosmopolitan Iraq during the 1950s and 1960s, Selma Masson is plunged into a world of despair and intrigue when she discovers first-hand the brutality of her country's dictator. While Iraqi Ambassador to Spain, her husband is imprisoned and tortured by the Hussein government—for Selma, securing his freedom will mean an unforgettable encounter with Saddam Hussein. Now an Australian citizen, Selma is ready to tell her story to Michelle McDonald—this book grew out of the friendship between these two women from very different cultures. The Kiss of Saddam takes you on Selma's incredible journey, drawing an evocative picture of life in Iraq. It shows just what one woman will do to save the people she loves.

Author Biography

Michelle McDonald was born in New Zealand, but moved to Australia in 1966. Since 2001 she has been active in supporting asylum seekers; for four years she has visited Villawood Detention Centre in Australia weekly. This exposed her to a part of Australia most people did not know existed, and she found that providing practical and emotional assistance to the detainees was only the beginning of a life-changing experience. It was during her work in supporting asylum seekers that she met Selma, the subject of The Kiss of Saddam. The book grew out of the friendship that developed between two women from very different cultures.