The world’s largest book fair, Frankfurter Buchmesse, once again opened its doors from October 15–19, 2025, in Frankfurt, Germany—welcoming dreamers, storytellers, and innovators from across the globe. Known as the beating heart of the publishing world, this grand event gathers more than 7,500 exhibitors from over 100 countries, with an expected 280,000 attendees and 10,000 media professionals. It’s not just a fair—it’s a global celebration of literature, culture, and creativity.
This year’s fair raises the bar even higher, offering more than 4,000 seminars and roundtable discussions that spotlight the evolving future of books and storytelling. From bold new voices to literary legends, the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025 remains the ultimate hub for discovering stories that inspire, unite, and challenge perspectives.
Adding a splash of cultural pride, this year’s Guest of Honour—Philippines—brings its vibrant literary tradition and storytelling heritage to the world stage. With colorful themes of faith, family, and identity, the Philippines’ participation breathes new life into this year’s fair, reminding everyone that imagination knows no borders.
As the fair celebrates another successful year of bringing together the brightest minds in publishing, Citi of Books proudly joins the festivities at the 77th Frankfurter Buchmesse, showcasing inspiring titles from its talented authors. Among the featured works in the Book Gallery is “Unwelcome: Sexual Harassment, Sexual Discrimination, Sexual Assault, and Rape in the Canadian Forces” by Captain Dawn Ottman— a courageous and deeply personal account of her harrowing experiences as a woman in the military—and her long, painful battle for justice and healing
Captain Dawn Ottman has worked for Motorola as a spacecraft engineer, EMC Corporation developing software, and started her own company, CanDew Scientific, for patent testing. She has served in several organizations that encourage women working in technology and engineering jobs.
Ottman has written numerous papers and articles on chemistry, technology, and natural energy. She is the author of Rebecca, White Medicine Woman about her great-grandmother’s heroic life and death.
Currently, Ottman is working on a master’s degree in Theological Studies. She is the proud mother of a loving daughter. She lives in South Dakota with her husband.
In “Unwelcome: Sexual Harassment, Sexual Discrimination, Sexual Assault, and Rape in the Canadian Forces,” Captain Dawn Ottman joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1978 at just eighteen years old, full of patriotism and determination to serve a country she believed stood for fairness and opportunity. Having grown up in poverty and spent her childhood protecting her younger sister from bullies, she was no stranger to hardship. The military, she thought, would be a place where effort and courage mattered most. Instead, she found herself in an institution that systematically demeaned, dismissed, and endangered women who dared to serve.
From the very start of her career, Ottman was subjected to harassment and insults simply for being a woman in uniform. Rather than give up, Ottman chose to persevere. Her intelligence, resilience, and drive carried her through the ranks until she achieved a historic milestone—becoming Canada’s first female space scientist. Yet, even with her remarkable achievements, the abuse and hostility did not stop. She was mocked, undermined, and even charged with mutiny. Despite everything, she still managed to make an impact—changing hearts one at a time, even earning the respect of former harassers who came to her years later for advice when their own daughters faced similar abuse.
In 1995, exhausted by the unrelenting toxic culture, Ottman decided to retire and move to the United States. But before leaving, tragedy struck again—during a final visit with a fellow soldier, she was brutally attacked. What followed was a lifelong struggle with the trauma and aftermath of rape and sexual assault. Ottman’s story does not shy away from the grim realities of PTSD, institutional betrayal, and the long fight for recognition as a survivor and veteran. Her determination to secure benefits and acknowledgment set an important precedent for others facing similar battles within the system.
Though “Unwelcome” is a painful and unflinching memoir, it is also one of hope, courage, and solidarity. Ottman writes not just to expose the injustices she endured but to offer guidance and strength to women who continue to face similar abuse in military service. Her voice is both a warning and a beacon—a reminder that change begins when silence ends. As she poignantly reflects, she joined the Canadian Forces ready to fight for her country, but her hardest and most heartbreaking battle turned out to be against it.
Purchase the book through this link: https://citiofbooks.com/bookstore/new-release/unwelcome-sexual-harassment-sexual-discrimination-sexual-assault-and-rape-in-the-canadian-forces/
1 Comment
Captain Dawn Ottman’s courage in sharing these harrowing stories sheds light on an often-overlooked issue within the military. It’s crucial that we continue to have discussions about sexual harassment and assault, especially in such institutions.