Freedom's Stand

Written by Jeanette Windle

Narrated by Rebecca Gallagher

Find something to believe in... Jamil renounced a life of jihad when he encountered the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. But his new mission as an itinerant health worker in the hills of Afghanistan is met with skepticism and even violence. Returning to Kabul, relief worker Amy Mallory is shocked by the changes in her organization-changes with dire implications for the women and children under her care. And concern for her former assistant Jamil weighs heavily on her heart. Special Forces veteran Steve Wilson faces off against the riots and corruption of Afghanistan's upcoming election. He's looking for something that will give his life purpose but is confident that he won't find it in Afghanistan. All three are searching for love and freedom. But in a country where political and religious injustice runs rampant, the cost of either may be higher than they realize.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Oasis Audio
• Release date: Jun 1, 2011
• ISBN: 9781608148646

Jeanette Windle

Award-winning author and investigative journalist Jeanette Windle has lived in six countries, authored 19 books, and mentors writers on five continents. To learn more, visit her at www.jeanettewindle.com.

Reviews for Freedom's Stand

[thesilverofhisfining · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Just ordered this book from CBD. Can't wait to read it! Have heard great reviews.At long last -- I begin to read with great anticipation.Finished this a couple of weeks ago. Wonderful. The thing that stands out in my mind as far as the culture goes, is getting inside the mindset of what it feels like to be a 'burqa' rather than an individual female. Also how very young the girls are married by arrangement between men. They have no say, and many no opportunity for education. There world is confined to the compound and the burqa. I can't imagine what that's like.The interweaving of the Gospel of Isa Masih, the transformation of Jamil's thinking from his former beliefs to God's Words, is masterful. There just aren't adequate words to describe Jeanette's writing. You just need to read it for yourself. Looking forward to the next book, Jeanette!

[Warton Home · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This story gives a fascinating look at present Afghanistan and its desperate need for Christianity. It is also nail-biting exciting!!! Beautifully read.

[rivkabelle_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I received this book for review from Tyndale. Review originally published on my blog (awordsworth.blogspot.com).This book was more difficult to read than I anticipated. My difficulty stems from two things: the very real subject matter covered, as well as the way the book is written. I really should have expected the subject to be harder to read than initially thought; hindsight is twenty-twenty once more. That said, it really is a very compelling read - there is a very real sense to it. I felt like I could be reading truth instead of fiction. There's conflict and resolution, there's inner struggles and real world situations and scenarios. This stuff could actually be happening, right now. I have friends who've been in Afghanistan, so I made a personal connection to aspects of this story. In theory, I think the fact that it was hard to read in terms of subject matter means that Windle did a good job creating her story - it has a feel of truth to it, which is not always easy to come by.The writing itself - the point of view changes a lot, and there's not always a clear transition. A few times I had to stop and back up a little bit to figure out who was now talking, what part of the story I was now reading. Personally, this bugs me. Also, there were a ton of references to 'history' among the characters that felt very significant but were utterly mystifying. Then I realized: Freedom's Stand is the 'sequel' to Veiled Freedom. Oops. I have a feeling that would make the whole reading experience much less confusing. Note to future self and other readers: Make sure you're reading not reading a sequel first!

[autumnblues · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Shockingly compelling, Windle's words are prophetic proof of the rampant evil in the Islamic society. I found myself constantly forgetting this novel is fiction as I traveled through Afghanistan with Amy, Steve and Jamil. These characters seem so realistic as you take in their daily struggles for a cause so dear a reoccurring theme to this very day in real life Afghanistan. In the U.S. we take for granted the freedom to worship freely and to share our thoughts and belief's with others, especially publicly if we like. For this very reason I was left with a feeling of shock and disbelief as I read this book even knowing what I am reading is true and common in this society. The plot of Freedom Stand keeps you coming back for more as this is not a book one can read in one day. This thought provoking novel provides a sad truth of what many Afghanistan natives believe to be justified laws and it is quite disturbing. Relief worker Mallory has tried very hard to make life better for the women she has brought into the compound, while away on a short vacation to the U.S. she returns to find everything she has worked to establish changed. The main culprit one of the very women she thought a friend and who Amy invited to live at the compound, with her husband. Soraya has turned her back on Mallory her hidden selfishness suddenly turned into undaunted bitter and bold unrelenting pride. I found myself very angry at Soraya as she is an educated Afghan woman and you would think knowing how Islamic law treats woman, including treating them as a piece of property that can be sold off to the highest bidder, she would want things to be different. Instead Soraya helps her husband sell off woman and children at the compound while pocketing the money, to the terror of Mallory. Soraya's excuse that she only cares of the needs of herself and her own family, has given Amy a wake-up call she cannot find comforting, even if Soraya is following her customs and laws of Afghanistan. As Mallory feels anger, frustration the disappointed that she has failed, it really seeps into your soul. Windle keeps the reader emotionally engaged throughout this book and you are on full alert never receiving a break from this fast paced novel. If you are looking for a relaxing novel for a pool-side read do not read this book. This novel is blood boiling action that will have you feeling all emotions even some you never knew you had. Providing a perfect perspective of real life in Afghanistan not only of its residents, but also of the relief workers and those who give up their comforts to go there to try and make a difference. Although fiction the portrayal of the danger and violence in Afghanistan not only feels real, but you know it is real, giving this story even more blood curling realism. This book is like a lesson wrapped up into a novel as I read I learned many more twisted beliefs the Islam religion holds that I did not know prior. In the process I was left with a sense of how much more God loves us than many know in this world and of a much more appreciation for our country our laws and our freedom here in the U.S.A.

[judyg54 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I don't think my review of Jeanette Windle's two books set in Afghanistan can fully explain how good they really are and how much I learned and understand the inner struggles of the people and their lifestyle. Although you can read this book as a stand alone; I do not recommend doing it, because you will miss so much of what happened in book one, "Veiled Freedom". This story is also about Amy Mallory, a relief worker who is trying to make a difference in the lives of the women and children in Afghanistan. Then there is Steve Wilson, who is looking for something to believe in while he works for a security task force in Afghanistan. There is also Jamil, a man who has endured so much from his country and who has renounced his country's religion when he reads of the life-changing message of Jesus. All three of these characters are intertwined within this story. There is so much to learn while reading this story, and so many emotions that you will feel while reading; the culture, the lifestyles, the corruption, the tragedy, the hope and the love.At the back of the book there is a conversation with the author and I think she summed up the overall theme of this book really good when she asked this question: "if trillions of dollars in aid, all the weapons the West can bring to bear, and a lot of genuine goodwill aren't enough to bring about lasting peace and democracy, then what is the true source of freedom? Can outsiders ever truly purchase freedom for another culture or people?" I think she answers these questions very well in these two books. I know I can't adequately express my appreciation after reading these stories, but I know I have come away with my eyes opened to a culture and a people that I feel I have gotten to know and can understand and pray for better. A special thanks goes to Tyndale House Publishers for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book to review.