"I met BE through her invention, the Alinker. And to meet BE is to love BE, as that is what you feel in their presence. Unfailingly human, the best of the best, BE invites us all into this book, the memoir of an incredible life told in adventures of world travel. And with compassion and truth, we see the greatest creation of their life so far, living in the freedom of being BE. I love this human, and I think you will too. Gorgeous writing pulled me in straight away, the perfect companion."
--Selma Blair, Actress and Author
"I've had the pleasure of reading a chapter of Inventing BE during her time in Afghanistan. I first met BE in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, during a consulting stint I was doing on Afghan craft, embroidery and the importance of women's education. I took a shine to her bold and unapologetically authentic personality and the ease that she navigated Afghan society wearing men's clothes working with locals in a manner that gained my trust immediately. She was there to work with and for the people. She treated locals as equal and with genuine love and kindness and I was thrilled to read that the love and respect was reciprocated by people she encountered in Afghanistan during some of the most challenging times in Afghan society. For people that live on the periphery of society standards and having a nomadic soul that fits in everywhere yet always stands out shockingly in the binary frame of Western existence, it was refreshing to see her navigate at ease in a way that wasn't so simple for any expats living in a war zone. I cannot wait to read the book at its entirety and savor every experience vicariously through BE's amazing storytelling. A life that has found its purpose and has realized that we are here to service our fellow humans should be celebrated and recognized, and I'm looking forward to seeing this book become a staple in everyone's reading lists and libraries."
--Matin Maulawizada, Makeup Artist
"The only thing more important than reinvention-and sometimes radical reinvention-is invention. BE Alink has mastered it."
--Maureen Lippe, Media Powerhouse/Entrepreneur, former Vogue and Harper's Bazaar Editor, and Author of Radical Reinvention
"BE is a really remarkable person, who has demonstrated from Amsterdam to Afghanistan, extraordinary ingenuity, resilience creatively and generosity of spirit."
--Rory Stewart, Author and Founder of Turquoise Mountain Foundation, Afghanistan
"I worked with BE (then Babs) during her international career and often wondered how she was able to achieve all she did in such difficult places at such difficult times. More than once, I found myself asking, 'Who is this person?' This book allowed me to better answer that question by reading how she developed the strong will and mental attitude, which she applied to the difficulties she faced. Her writing gave me a better understanding of not only who she is but also, how she became that fearless humanitarian who, when faced with overwhelming challenges and frustrations, persevered. I was also able to see how she developed and then maintained the amazing level of empathy for those most marginalized, to whom she dedicated her life's work, and which came to define her. I enjoyed the flow of the book and while there was a seriousness to the message, I still found it funny and entertaining along the way. Her book also reminded me of times when I was faced with a risky activity in a dangerous place but that really needed to be done, and I had just two options. I could try and find a team of 'battle hardened, fearless, tough-as-nails, ex-military special forces SOB types...or...I could send in Babs."
--Gary Helseth, former UNOPS Country Director, Afghanistan
