All She Lost

All She Lost by Lebanese journalist Dalal Mawad explores the modern history of Lebanon, from the port explosion and civil war to the roles of Hezbollah and Israel. Through the personal stories of women, it weaves a gripping narrative of survival, corruption, and impunity.

“Poignant and compelling” - Lindsey Hilsum

“Essential and urgent” - Kim Ghattas

Lebanon and the Middle East are in crisis. For this extraordinary book, journalist Dalal Mawad conducted a series of profound interviews with women in Lebanon, creating an intense portrayal of resilience amidst turmoil. The book opens with the catastrophic explosion in the heart of Beirut, claiming hundreds of lives. This event marked the beginning of Lebanon's unparalleled collapse. Dalal Mawad, an award-winning journalist, was on the ground when the explosion occurred and was among the first to report on this mysterious and devastating event.

During her investigation, Mawad uncovered a central truth: women who remain behind tell the crucial stories needed to reconstruct the history of the Middle East. Through their narratives, she captures the experiences of mothers who lost children, spouses who lost partners, and refugee women fleeing from the Syrian war only to face another failing state. These voices reveal the untold stories of women long subjected to discrimination and adversity.

The book shares tales from a Lebanese grandmother, left destitute by the nation’s downfall, who reminisces about Beirut’s glamorous past in the 1960s. It also includes experiences of women like Mawad herself, who have left their homeland. Despite enduring the explosion and suffering immense loss, these women’s personal stories unite to depict a country whose illustrious days have faded, now embroiled in enduring violence and ongoing crises.

All She Lost not only recounts what these women have endured but also chronicles the decline of Lebanon and a portion of the Middle East that exists no longer.