Compulsory reading for anyone interested in Iraq
933830
Iraq is in the news every day. But few people know that it was created by Winston Churchill. CHURCHILL'S FOLLY tells the exciting story of how the great statesman put together an artificial country from bits of the Ottoman Empire, thereby creating the mess we are in today. Essential reading for all historians, Churchill buffs and people who read newspapers.
2814065
A must read for anybody wanting to understand the real reasons behind the Iraq debacle and present day oil pricing.
776024
This book reads like an intrigueing spy novel - you might want to read it solely for the entertainment value. But as a historical account, I found it indispenseable in my journey to understand the middle-east conflict, the justification for the sustained economic sanctions in Iraq during the 90's that was claimed to be responsible for so may Iraqi children's deaths, the politics and manuvering of our country and the hidden motives. What I found particularly interesting is the Ritter's paradox:  How can you expect Saddam to accept inspections if the inspectors are CIA agents trying to assasintate him? Pick one: assasination or inspections, and persue it.  A great read and an essential element in understanding where we are today and why.
1389956
George Packer has written a masterpiece that speaks volumes!  The book details the events that contributed to America's entering the War in Iraq and portrays the keyplayers involved.  I even got a chance to hear him speak recently and he is extraordinarily down to earth.  Enjoy!!
4903060
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know what really happened in the Iraq war.
God bless Duncan Hunter and his family.
566275
It's a shame that the middle east was left out of classes on world history when my generation was in school.  Except for a brief mention of the crusades, that area of the world was ignored.  BERNARD Lewis' books should be required reading for every student of history or politics.  They are superbly written.  This one explains the history of middle eastern/European interaction and the influences of religion and technical development.  There is, of course, a fair amount of repetition from other of his books, but the presentation here is logical and complete.  All-in-all, it was hard to put this book down.
1553058
A difficult read on the war in Iraq, from an Iraqian's point-of-view.  She is candid, honest, tough, and blunt in her day-by-day blogs that eventually came together into this excellent book (and a more recent second volume, not reviewed here).  Readers will find the book replete with atrocities performed by both American and native troops, sometimes innocently, more often precisely and with intent to show that America occupies Iraq at the time (2003).  I have read several books written by American military personnel, always after they leave military service, but this is the first work that I have read from the "other side."  I look forward to reading the second volume.
2467246
For anyone wanting to remotely understand the sectarian nature of the war in Syria, this book is essential. The horror show that is Syria is not easy to figure out because of the atrocities committed by all sides (and believe me there are over 140 different agendas). The committed and determined interference and aid from the Foreign Governments in the middle east add to the perplexity. In the midst of the Jihadi groups and Sunni/Shia mutual hostility, there are also thugs and criminals causing havoc and creating horror and misery. I found it fascinating to observe over 4 years, the changing attitudes of both Britain and the USA  from Assad must go to Assad must step aside. This is recommended reading for the likes of Donald Trump.
4895795
Excellent and absorbing book written in a masterly style. The author's expertise in investigative reporting shows on every page. As one with access to the highest echelons of power at the CPA, the author has woven an interesting tapestry that throws a powerful search light on the utter chaos that ensued the US occupation of Iraq. The vignettes of CPA initiatives and personalities in each chapter lays bare the arrogance, hubris and opportunism portrayed by these modern day Don Quixotes. It is also tragic to note that some with true ideals and vision were drawn into this fiasco and had to leave, disillusioned by the impractical initiatives and the high handed approach of CPA commandants. One truly sympathizes with the fate of the trusting Iraqis who were expecting Jerry Bremer & co to deliver them from the tyranny of Saddam's rule and create a paradise for them in the middle of the Arab world, while the delusional CPA leadership was trying to remake Iraq in the image of America.
2023569
This little book could become essential reading about the Iraq war. We follow the progress of Joshua Casteel, in his own words, from idealistic soldier to disillusioned ex-interrogator. We watch as Casteel's belief in what he is doing is pitted against his profound religious beliefs, and wonder which will win out. Casteel argues with family members, talks religious theory & Derrida with friends, and reports back on what's happening on the base.
The only complaint I have about the book is that we don't always know who Casteel's emailing--who are "jflo" and "bex"?
Four stars instead of five because I don't yet know if this will be a classic, but a fast, riveting read. Highly recommended.
1646708
It's hard to imagine a better book about Lawrence (and about Curt Prufer, Aaron Aaronsohn, and William Yale). Writing with astounding clarity, Scott Anderson traces the "Arab Revolt" through the length of the First World War and makes it all eminently readable and thoroughly comprehensible and, at many moments, very moving. It's a great read and, I think, a must for anyone interested in that cataclysm or in the Middle East. Anderson also makes clear for the first time (to me, at least) how the Balfour Declaration came into being and the absurdity of the Sykes-Picot agreement. It's an absolutely splendid book.
4085929
This is a great book, a classic. I have the hard copy, and the kindle version -- I like it that much.

When I deployed to Iraq, this was almost required reading.  It is an incredible background and history of the region, of how western ideas first came to the middle east, and how the culture and attitudes differ from the west.  It's one of those books in which you will copy out quotes here and there, information you'll want to share.

If you are interested in this subject, take a click as well on&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Gertrude-Bell-Queen-of-the-Desert-Shaper-of-Nations/dp/0374531358/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Gertrude Bell: Queen of the Desert, Shaper of Nations</a>, as Lawrence got much of his information from this Brit who paved the way for him.  Between the two, you will have a better appreciation and understanding of the region than FOX or CNN could ever provide.  Seven Pillars is not political or written recently, so the current world events after Desert Storm have NOT influenced the writing.  It is unbiased, strongly recommend.
242916
I've read Taking Anbar twice now. Aside from a few editorial issues, I highly recommend you read this book if you are concerned about how we as a nation prosecute any conflicts we face in the future and how we think about and treat our troops in the process.

The author reinforced my high opinion of the vast majority of our troops and my questioning of the thinking at the top levels of government and the military command structure by providing real life examples of bravery and of insufficient planning and leadership.

One thing I didn't expect to come away with, based on how it had been reported here throughout the war and the nation building phase, was a sense of the courage of many everyday Iraqis in various roles that helped our armed forces and their nation in the midst of a chaotic and complex situation.

If you are looking for realpolitik, you won't find it here. However, if you are looking for some insight into the every day challenges, triumphs and failures of the war in Iraq, this is a great read.

Last, I'd like to mention that the author didn't sit on his hands when he got back home safely. He and several of his comrades in arms started a highly respectable charity named OnBehalf to continue their leadership role in support of our troops. I am, as of this writing, in no way affiliated with the group other than donating to it because I believe in their mission and ethics. You can find out more at their website. I'd post it here but Amazon won't let me.
2718445
If you want to know the true facts about the war in Iraq, read this book.  Michael Yon is a free lance writer and has no connection with a newspaper or media site so he tells it the way he sees it.  He is an awsome writer and actually this book was requested by one of the LTC's that I support so I was more than happy to be able to send him this book.
1469995
Who will ever forget Robert Fisk's trenchant reports from Baghdad in the weeks leading up to the war and especially those in the first hours, days of the invasion?  This reporting was courageous, first rate, and historic. Where would our knowledge of what was going on on the ground have been without these ground zero communications in those crucial hours of destiny?  For this service alone, the book deserves our attention.
For better or worse, few of us have the time to embark on such a demanding venture as reading this work presents - the life of a man, the blood of nations, the biography of large scale populations, and the fate of moral values. Perhaps, we all should stop and read it.  What could be more critical to our lives that what is in this text? What is presented is the ultimate examination of the continued brutality of our ongoing assault on life.  I cannot second guess Fisk - as others have done in their reviews. I wasn't there. He was. What I do know is that no one writing about the war has spent as much time on the ground in as many crucial situations - and few have such an elevated perspective.
From the writing angle - one might wish the book was in several volumes - a procedure which might have tightened up some of the sprawling narrative.  But this story has emerged as the central narrative of our time, and attempts to delimit it, in retrospect, seem artificial and paltry. And no English speaking journalist is in a better position to relate it than Fisk.
And what is the content of this narrative? The horror - the horror which Fisk (who really is a primary standard bearer for integrity in journalism today) presents in meticulous detail.
And why? What is shown here again and again is the brutality and madness of policies which utterly ignore the sanctity of human life - itself the pretense of civilization - and it's disregard, the grist of the hypocrasies of those who claim to base those policies on ideologies of human betterment.
Fisk shows us with his usual adroit and accurate reading of events - the madness which is threatening the survival of humankind - not merely 'civilization' - and to his argument, gives us a massive 30 year historical justification in first-hand witness.
Thus the book is signal - the most important work on the Middle East. Why? Nowhere else available is such an extensive first hand account combined with such a passionate and humane account of the ideological underpinnings of events - too horrible for most of to contemplate, no less to reflect on, analyse, distill, and report at the highest levels of insight and dignity.  An achievement of Golgothan proportions.
4423017
The absurdity of the "Iraq War" laid bare. I wholeheartedly agree that this should be required reading for anyone who's not familiar with State Department and Pentagon bureaucracies. But more than that, this book pretty much spells out just how much of a disaster this invasion was and will be for our country for years to come. It should also be required reading for all the neocons who cheered the US on from the comfy confines of Fox News and the conservative editorial pages.
4850869
This is the first of the three superb books Richard Engel has written on the middle east two of which, this and WAR JOURNAL, dealing with his time in Iraq.  This book was written in 2004 and 4 l/4 years later he wrote WAR JOURNAL bringing the reader up to date to that time point of the entire war/disaster in Iraq which, as I write this, in 2017, is still going on although fortunately we have only now a very small military force there.
Please read my review of WAR JOURNAL in addition to this review.
If you want an absolutely superb accounting not just of the war but of the entire situation of Iraq in political, social, religious and international terms, his two books on Iraq will give you a marvelous insight into what every American, regardless of their own views, will by now regard as a horrific mess which will go on being a mess for decades to come.  This book is well written..indeed it is faultless..and it is fascinating to compare what Engel wrote in 2004 at the book's end in the afterword, to all that came afterward..indeed continuing  after he wrote WAR JOURNAL right until the present day with the almost completed defeat in Iraq of Isis.  Suffice to say that Engel's very guarded and qualified optimism in 2004 was not borne out by future events.
This is a book review and distinctly not an exegesis of my own personal opinions about the Iraq war and all that has transpired since.  I give this book five stars because, like both of his other books, it is both very well written and interesting but extraordinarily insightful.
The middle east, regrettably, is a tar baby with which we will be stuck to a substantial extent for a long time and contrary to the know-nothing  views of our own isolationists, much as we might otherwise wish it, we can not simply wash our hands of it.