I love your book even as it’s unsettling to read, reminding me as it does of tragedies I’ve witnessed. Thank you for writing this very human book and bearing witness to cataclysms—and letting people speak for themselves. Yours is a powerful work.

General James Mattis
Former U.S. Secretary of Defense

Olson describes her remarkable and courageous journeys to countries broken by violence and war. Her experiences are beautifully written with unflinching honesty and compassion. You will be moved to tears by stories of suffering, hatred and forgiveness. You will be left realizing, that despite the odds, there is hope for the future.

Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE Founder
The Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace

Jane Olson took her Iowa Values around the world to help those most in need, and the consequences are more than impressive.

Tom Brokaw
NBC News

Jane Olson has experienced some of the world's most forsaken places. Her accounts do not dwell on the dismal but elevate those who work and hope for something better. She combines a journalist's eye and turn of phrase with the compassion and empathy of a genuine humanitarian. What emerges amid the horrors of injustice is a celebration of humanity.

Ken Roth, Executive Director
Human Rights Watch

Humane wisdom fills each page as Jane Olson chronicles stories of courage and resilience around the world. I've had the privilege of witnessing the author on the frontlines of conflict, demonstrating dignity and her gift of deep listening in the midst of mass suffering.

Jerry White, Co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize
awarded to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.

Through her beautiful and powerful stories, Jane Olson reminds readers of the common humanity linking each of us in this world. A true global citizen, human rights leader, and inspiring mentor to so many, Jane demonstrates the power individuals have to make a profound difference. A must read.

Leslie Gilbert-Lurie, author of Bending Toward the Sun
Board Member - Human Rights Watch & The Alliance for Children’s Rights.

I just finished reading your book and I’m filled with admiration for your beautiful writing, your impressive work and your limitless compassion. I admire your ability to relate to victims of horrible atrocities without ever losing your hope and belief in the human spirit.

Jeri Laber
a founder of Human Rights Watch

Thanks for coming to my class on Human Rights and Community Changemakers. I learned so much from what you talked about and found it so inspiring to hear from you about your own experiences. The stories you shared and the advice that you gave helped me and I think many others solidify our interest in human rights. I also really identified with your emphasis on humanity and the power of human connections, as I think that is what really drove me to pursue both anthropology and human rights. I think I will remember it for a long time as a source of inspiration.

Hudson
Student, University of Nebraska Lincoln

I like the memoirs of interesting people, but your book is more. With its first hand reporting of the horrors and the suffering of people, it tells of simple, uneducated people who recognize they have to forgive. I hope you take great satisfaction from the aid your reports and advocacy brought about.

Larry Piersol
Senior Judge of the U.S. District Court for South Dakota

Throughout the book I was struck by your brutal honesty and your humor, like not wanting to tell your husband that village women in Ghana thought he must be poor because he has only one wife.

The compelling stories, exuding kindness, warmth, love, and bravery, profoundly moved me. Furthermore, your photographs convey deeper stories that words alone cannot encapsulate.

Gelila Assefa Puck

Founder, Dream for Africa Foundation