Conspicuously missing from narratives of the Lebanese Civil War are the stories of women who took part in daily social activism and political advocacy during the tumultuous conflict. What the War Left Behind gives voice to their stories, with eight women sharing their experiences of healing through hardship.

What the War Left Behind brings together oral histories from a range of political affiliations, socioeconomic classes, and religious identities to present an alternative image of women during war, one highlighting the actions of those who sought to make life better for themselves and their neighbors during conflict. By centering women’s voices in the war, Abisaab and Hartman present a new perspective on an oft-discussed historical era, demonstrating the power of resistance during tumultuous times. These translated interviews showcase the active roles women take during violence and how women’s political lives in Lebanon didn’t end the moment war began.