Åsne Guldahl Seierstad, born on February 10, 1970, is a distinguished Norwegian freelance journalist and writer. She has gained international acclaim for her vivid accounts of everyday life in war zones, including Kabul post-2001, Baghdad in 2002, and the war-ravaged Grozny in 2006.
Seierstad is not only recognized for her captivating storytelling but also for her commitment to journalism, which has taken her to some of the most tumultuous regions across the globe, such as Chechnya, the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Fluent in five languages, her work transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, bringing to light the human aspect of war.
Her notable books include accounts on the Iraq War, Ciento y un días (One Hundred and One Days); on Afghanistan, El librero de Kabul (The Bookseller of Kabul); and on Serbia, De espaldas al mundo (With Their Backs to the World), which have collectively garnered international success. Seierstad's dedication to her craft has earned her numerous awards and accolades, marking her as a prominent figure in journalism and literature.
A graduate in Slavic and Spanish Philology from the University of Oslo, Seierstad has worked as a correspondent for Scandinavian newspapers from various corners of the world, sharing stories of significant military conflicts and the human spirit that endures amidst chaos.