Our Bodies, Their Battlefield

Our Bodies, Their Battlefield investigates wartime sexual violence across multiple conflicts and decades. Through interviews with survivors and research spanning from World War II to modern day, journalist Christina Lamb documents the use of rape as a weapon of war. The book covers eight countries and multiple war zones, examining both historical cases and contemporary situations where sexual violence continues. Lamb combines personal testimonies from survivors with broader analysis of how military forces and governments have addressed - or failed to address - these systematic crimes. Drawing from her 30 years of war reporting experience, Lamb demonstrates how sexual violence in conflict persists despite international laws and conventions. This work stands as both a record of crimes against women in war and an examination of institutional failures in achieving justice and accountability.

Readers describe this book as brutal but necessary documentation of wartime sexual violence. Many note having to take breaks while reading due to the heavy subject matter. Readers appreciated: - Thorough research and first-hand survivor interviews - Clear connection between historical and modern conflicts - Focus on victims' stories rather than sensationalism - Coverage of lesser-known conflicts and regions Common criticisms: - Can be overwhelming and difficult to process - Some felt the structure was disorganized - A few readers wanted more analysis of prevention/solutions Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (1,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (300+ ratings) From reader reviews: "This book made me angry in ways I didn't know possible" - Goodreads reviewer "Should be required reading for policymakers" - Amazon reviewer "The survivors' courage in sharing their stories is remarkable" - LibraryThing reviewer

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The War Comes Home by Aaron Glantz Veterans' stories expose systematic failures in post-war care and support systems.

I Came to Testify by Pamela Hogan and John Marks First-hand testimonies document sexual violence as a weapon during the Bosnian War.

War Hospital by Sheri Fink Medical personnel recount experiences treating civilians and soldiers in a besieged Bosnian hospital.

The Face of War by Martha Gellhorn War correspondent chronicles six decades of conflict through civilian perspectives and war crimes documentation.

🔹 The author Christina Lamb spent over 30 years as a war correspondent, reporting from Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa, and Latin America, which gave her unique access to many of the stories featured in the book. 🔹 The book reveals that in 2008, the UN Security Council officially recognized rape as a weapon of war, though it had been systematically used in conflicts for centuries. 🔹 During her research, Lamb uncovered that nearly every woman over age 12 in the Yazidi community was enslaved by ISIS, with many sold multiple times in slave markets. 🔹 The book won the 2020 Hay Festival Award for Education and was named one of The Times' Books of the Year for its groundbreaking documentation of war crimes against women. 🔹 While researching the book, Lamb discovered that despite widespread sexual violence in conflicts, fewer than 50 people have ever been convicted of rape as a war crime.