Book excerpt: Zainab Salbi's media profile soared with her first book, a memoir of growing up in Saddam Hussein's inner circle. Her foundation, Women for Women International, plays a vital role in helping to heal war-torn nations. Here, with images by award-winning photographers, Salbi presents a collection of letters and first-person narratives by amazing women who survived war's devastation and now must find the strength to rebuild families and communities. Overviews by the author explain how each nation's history led to violent conflict; then the women tell their stories--of horror, cruelty, and suffering, but also of profound inspiration, as they work toward renewal and toward the day their fierce determination is rewarded with productivity, prosperity, and lasting joy.--From publisher description.