NEW REVIEW FROM LITERARY TITAN

“Jane Olson’s World Citizen is a poignant and insightful memoir that chronicles the author’s extraordinary experiences in war-torn regions across the globe. As a humanitarian and advocate, Olson’s travels from the Balkans to Africa and beyond are not just physical journeys but profound explorations into the human condition. Her experiences, which range from confronting the horrors of war to the simple act of knitting with women in a refugee camp, weave a tapestry of resilience and compassion and show the enduring power of human connection.

Olson’s writing is both vivid and empathetic, effortlessly transporting readers to the heart of each scene. Her ability to balance descriptive storytelling with reflective insights is one thing that kept me coming back to this book again and again. It created a narrative that is as educational as it is engaging. Particularly compelling is her use of first-person perspective, which brings an intimate and authentic feel to her encounters.

The book is a thoughtful meditation on humanity’s capacity for destruction and incredible resilience. Olson delves deep into the implications of events, challenging readers to confront difficult truths about war, displacement, and the human spirit. Her reflections on witnessing atrocities and the resilience of those affected are thought-provoking and urge a reconsideration of our roles in a global community.

One moment I particularly enjoyed in the book is Olson’s account of knitting with women in a refugee camp. This seemingly simple activity becomes a powerful metaphor for healing and unity amidst chaos. Also, her interaction with a comandante in Nicaragua and a young prostitute turned seamstress highlights her ability to find hope in despairing situations, which I think is a testament to Olson’s empathy and insight.

World Citizen: Journeys of a Humanitarian is a must-read biography for anyone interested in humanitarian work, global affairs, or the extraordinary strength of the human spirit. Olson’s experiences and reflections are a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have in a troubled world.”

To be a World Citizen

"As I walked humbly among survivors all over the world, I captured their stories in my journals and photographs, often gripping tales of courageous people who despite devastation managed to survive by pure grit. I learned about their conditions and needs in order to advocate on their behalf. Many of those who lost so much still sacrificed to help others, a sign of human resilience, an awesome force.”

-Jane Olson, AUTHOR

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

  • 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