'Omidian provides a sophisticated description of how people deal with the complexities of war. In addition, she presents a close picture of the NGO work in war zones and the difficulties involved in collaborations with the local population. Her experience proves that applied anthropology is an excellent method for gaining detailed insights into the lives of people who have experienced war. Through her telling and well-chosen examples, Omidian provides a direct testimony of a war-torn society that goes beyond the common picture of a desperate and hopeless nation.' Social Anthropology/Anthropologie Sociale