Escape from Kabul - by Karen Bartlett (Hardcover)

About the Book

"The story of how Afghan women judges, aided by the International Association of Women Judges, escaped Afghanistan following the Taliban's return to power in 2021"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

The extraordinary true story of the Afghan women judges who fought for justice in the courtroom, and then fought to escape with their lives, from the bestselling British author

Across twenty years of U.S.-backed government, Afghan women obtained legal degrees, became judges, and set out to transform their country--tackling corruption, challenging traditional gender norms, and reducing horrifying levels of violence against women and children. These educated and powerful women led the mission to build Afghanistan as a modern democracy that respected the rule of law and human rights.

Their work, however, posed an existential threat to everything the Taliban believed in--and when the United States withdrew in August 2021, the women judges of Afghanistan faced mortal danger.

Escape from Kabul is the extraordinary, never-before-told story of their escape--with the assistance of the International Association of Women Judges--and the shocking fates of those who were unable to flee. Veteran journalist Karen Bartlett had unique access to many of the women involved, including those in exile and the judges still trapped in Afghanistan, as well as women judges from around the world who were vital to the escape effort.

Combining real-life drama with searing critique, Escape from Kabul is also an indictment of the West--which abandoned its allies and the cause of women's rights. The book closes with the judges' recommendations for their beloved country, in their own words.

Review Quotes

Praise for Escape from Kabul:
"Escape From Kabul is a remarkable book. In it, Karen Bartlett masterfully depicts the Afghan women judges who faced challenges Western judges could only imagine, culminating in their perilous flight from Afghanistan. Brave, bold, and touching, this is an extraordinary story everyone should read."
--The Honorable Nancy Gertner, United States District Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts (Ret.)

"Anyone concerned about the fragility of rights or the isolation of those living under repression should read this book."
--Martha Minow, author of When Should Law Forgive?

"Karen Bartlett's reportage of the escape of Afghan women judges and their families in the chaotic final days before the resurgence of Taliban domination is harrowing. The heroic assistance of women judges from the United States, Europe and, the UK that made those escapes possible reveals the unwavering support of women judges from around the world. Escape From Kabul is a story not to be missed."
--The Honorable Shira A. Scheindlin, United States District Judge, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Ret.)

About the Author

Karen Bartlett is a writer and journalist, contributing to The Times, WIRED, Newsweek, TIME and the BBC. Karen was formerly the director of a leading campaign group for democracy and human rights, and is the author of five other nonfiction books including The Health of Nations, The Diary That Changed The World: The Remarkable Story of Otto Frank and The Diary of Anne Frank, and After Auschwitz with Eva Schloss. She lives in London.