Kathy Shultz does a fantastic job about writing the events of the Iraq war
346552
Kathy Shultz does a fantastic job about writing the events of the Iraq war. She does an excellent job at writing perspectives of different people.
723420
Since the British lost their grip on the Middle-East, the U.S. have taken over. Mr. Clark very accurately describes how the role of the U.S. during the Gulf war fits into the bigger picture of how the U.S. have tried (and succeeded) for decades to remain the world's number one power. At first, I only wanted to read the book because I had some little doubts about the objectivity of the information that we received via the media. On the whole, I agreed that action was needed, and that the war against Iraq could not be avoided. Until I read this book...It was like shells fell from my eyes. I realise now that not only there was a lot more violence used against Iraq than we were told, and that the purpose of this war was not to get Iraq out of Kuwait (which was indeed the 19th province of Iraq before England "created" Kuwait out of it in 1922), but to cripple an entire nation for decades to come. But also that this war was carefully planned by the U.S. for years. Mr. Clark shows this with countless examples, that make you say to yourself: "yes, I always had doubts about that". One of them is that although the CIA was already aware for sixth months that during the Iran-Iraq war, Iraq used poison gas against the kurds in the North of Iraq, it never revealled this information to the press until after the Iran-Iraq ceasefire in 1988, 3 hours before an Iraqi delegate arrived in the U.S. and gave a press conference. This delegate was rather taken by surprise by the questions he got at this press-conference. I can hardly exagerate the need for everybody to read this book, and learn what price the Iraqi people had to pay to secure U.S. access to cheap oil...that's what bothers me most: this war was not about democracy or human rights, it was about money and power only. And by the way: all this talk about U.S. attempts to eliminate Mr. Hussein is, of course, nonsense. The U.S. still need him in the saddle because he gives the U.S. the excuse for presence in the Gulf and maintaining the economic sanctions. READ THIS BOOK!!! And see, among other things, that not only the Iraqi people were informed very subjectively by their media. We were also by ours.
4572583
Kevin Tillman has bravely written a masterful analysis of the lead up to the war in Iraq.  His illustrations add poignancy to this brutally honest story.  I recommend it to anyone seeking an understanding of our country's tragic mistake.
4242509
Mr. Lowry has done an outstanding job of capturing a few days of Marine involvement in the Iraq War.  The first 100 pages keep your interest and draw you into the characters;  the next 100 pages make the book difficult to put down;  the remainder of the book makes it impossible to put down.  Lowry tells the whole story of the battle, not pulling any punches, but adequately covering the good and the not so good...mistakes and mishaps made in the confusion of war are presented along with a description of our Marines in action that will make your chest swell with pride.  Find a Marine, give him a hug, or maybe just shake his hand for being there for us.
945663
In many ways this is a very straight-forward account of the American occupation of Iraq. The beginning of the book is about Afghanistan (about 70 pages) - then it shifts to Iraq. The author does not follow a narrative or time-line flow.

He explores themes and focuses on the individuals involved. For the most part he does not judge - that is left to the reader. Mr. Filkins is an excellent observer and recorder - it is this situational documenting that allows us to learn and evaluate. And we do indeed need to react as Mr. Filkins illustrates the effects of a deadly occupation. Whole towns are razed as tanks fire point-blank and houses are invaded; meanwhile religious violence, factionalism and intolerance increases.

The author accompanies soldiers into combat and also listens to jihadists. His style sometimes reminds me of the World War II journalist Ernie Pyle. Through-out we are cautioned of the election promises. Are the Iraqis five years (at the time of writing) after the (Bush) invasion better off? As one woman states - at least with Saddam we knew the rules. Now there are so many different competing rules. Breaking any one of them can lead to death.
2254081
The paperback edition of Tom Ricks' "Fiasco," published in mid-2007, caps with a new postrscript the author's astounding accomplishment in documenting from named sources all the flawed steps in the conception, selling, and execution of the Iraq War; the book's title is amply born out by the text. Even the most hardened conservative and Bush booster will be convinced, no more than 30 pages into the book, of the accuracy of Ricks' reporting and the truth of his assessments. This is one of the best books I have read about ANY war.
4534417
I am very impressed by Sharyl Attkisson's talent as a writer.  Her story provided me with lots of understandable information that I did not know, even though I keep up on current events and politics daily.  The information is also frightening because of the intrusion, manipulation of information, and lack of honesty of the press and the powers that be.  I am so glad there are people like Sharyl that are brave enough to push back and tell us the truth about what is happening in the government that is supposed to be working for the good of the American people.  I look forward to purchasing every book that she writes.
1393042
Army Special Forces veteran Erick Nason shares an incredible tale of his four "tours of duty" in Iraqi in his memoir called "From Desert Storm To Iraqi Freedom: One Soldier's Story".  These are some rare insightful observations on what has happened in Iraq and what it was like for those who were there on the ground when it all happened; a true and honest view of history in the making!

Nason in his book includes some of his efforts in northwest Iraq as part of a combat search and rescue team. This area of Iraq has had little written on it, so I found this part fascinating as it was mostly a new perceptive of the total operations of the war. He was also a part of the humanitarian relieve efforts involving the Kurds in the northern mountains of Iraq.

His four "tours of duty" included Operation Desert Storm, Operation Provide Comfort, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and his final tour was Iraqi Freedom II. Reading his book will give future historians a good look at what took place there over that period of time. His view of the war is from that of someone out there daily engaged in the action; and not someone looking at maps in some briefing room beyond the personal dangers and action of the war. What he shares is from his own experiences.

He uses a well organized narrative to move us along with him as he shares this adventure with us. The writing works but the story he is telling is compelling enough on its own to make the book interesting, informative and actually entertaining. You will become absorbed in his story and find that you cannot put down his book until you come to Chapter 18 - and then you are treated to the point of view of his step-mother! It is a touching way to end the book and it is endearing.

If you are looking for more understanding of what our guys are doing in Iraq and what it has been like for them, then this is the book you need to buy and read. It will educate and enlighten you as to what has happened there. This book is not from some general or politician but represents the real soldier's  memories of what happened.
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.
3729413
Christian Parenti has been to Iraq 3 times.  He gives a stark political overview backed with first hand knowledge.  I must say his writing style is superb and me manages a sense of humor throughout.  The war has been fought for obscene millitary contracts to the Bechtels and Halliburtons of the world.  Also, for oil control.  Interestingly, he posits that it is not for our use but to inhibit future powers such as China and India from controlling oil.  If we control the areas where they purchase their oil, we can engage in diplomatic blackmail.

Parenti also outlines the plight of women in Iraq as they are subjected to "misery gangs" who rape and beat them, leaving them on the side of the roads.  Many of these women are then killed by their relatives to preserve their honor.

He sits in on dubious press conferences in which millitary spokesman sidestep every question.  He rides with the grunts and talks to the freedom fighters.  On a few occasions, he is in the right place at the right time, witnessing an IED that takes out a convoy and a marine.  This book really leaves you feeling horribly sorry for everyone involved, except for the contractors.  This is gonzo journalism at its finest.
1981573
Saved by Her Enemy is an incredible look into what has gone on in Iraqi over the last few generations, as well as, life up till today.  The reader truly gets an understanding of how harsh life was under Saddam Hussein and BAATH party. One story recounts of a group of boys that told a joke about Saddam and were over heard by a school administrator. The administrator afraid that it was a test by the government turned all the boys in they were never seen again.

Rafraf Barrak, the focal point of the book, is a well educated in English Literature yet suffers from not understanding the world around her due to growing up in a totalitarian dictatorship. She was taught through the regime that America and Americans were evil and out to kill all Iraqi's. While she lived under an oppressive rule she truly believed life with "Mr. John" (all Americans) was worse. She began to realize that the Americans were not what she was led to believe when she started looking for work as a translator. The one thing that struck her as different was how American soldiers treated her. She noticed that they talked to her differently, looked her in the eye and treated her as an equal unlike Iraqi men.

The story goes on to illustrate just how closed Iraqi society was under Saddam when she is talking to Don Teague about how Bush was just another version of Saddam. She believed that if people joke and disagree with the President that they would be kill or at the least be imprisoned.

The book is more an illustration of how people in Iraqi were taught to think and believe and all the eye opening events that happened after Saddam's fall to show the world in a new light. The final portion of the book recounts how difficult it was to get Rafraf out of Iraqi and to save her. Like all Iraqi's that worked for or associated with Americans she was marked for death by Radical Islamist.

It's a great read that is hard to put down. It will frustrate you, make you cheer, and make you very sad all at the same time.
764878
I've enjoyed thriller, action, and war books since I was a teenager. Writers like Tom Clancy and Vince Flynn combined in-depth research, behind the scenes insights, and riveting writing to have rightfully earned their millions of followers. Writers like them don't come along often, yet here is another.

David Bruns in collaboration with JR Olson created a story whereby very plausible events were extended into a modern day terrorist scenario. With just one assumption, that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction that the US didn't find, we see what could have (or might still) happen. Given the authors' military background it makes sense that they thoroughly understand the technicalities of this type of book. But it is their story telling that excels. Building characters over many years we are brought right into their lives and can empathize with them. I even found myself rooting for certain characters and then having to wait for another chapter just to see how things turned out.

Don't start reading too late at night or you will be burning the midnight oil to just finish one more chapter. I very much look forward to future books from David (and JR), the next generation of writers we have been waiting for.
3445857
The overwhelming majority of books on Iraq these days are by muckraking journalists wishing to expose the ineptitude, inefficiency, and partisanship of those responsible for Iraq and for what led to the situation there.  Here we have a rare glimpse from an apolitical administrator responsible for some of the lesser-known yet critical southern regions of Iraq.  He comes across very clearly as someone without any idealogical or other bias, just someone who wants to describe his experiences there.  He does an excellent job of showing how the problems in Iraq cannot all be blamed on the CPA or the Americans and British.  He points out how Iraqi tribalism, nepotism, corruption, sectarianism, etc. are just as, if not more so the cause of so much of what's going on there.  He discusses poorly known problems with the Italian military in Iraq.  But naturally, much of the blame for today's problems in Iraq do lie squarely with the Americans and Brits and in spite of his former position he has no problems with portraying them in all their infamy.  In conclusion, this is a must read book if you want a fuller picture of post-Saddam Iraq and a general primer on southern Iraq.
665148
I throughly enjoy books where characters are fully fleshed out and where the major conflicts accrue to the reader subtly. Amazon ultimately classifies this a women's literature which I think is a shame. I think Laura Harrington does so well in building a story around people that would strike anyone as interesting. Even the missing father's character is well conceived and his absence is felt fully.

I have read both of Harrington's books. They both deal with the homefront wreckage of family members going to war. In this one it's the Iraq War. I want to thank her for painting an image of the losses of this particular war which as touched so many and yet has not resonated in our public life.

Like others I could hardly put it down and found the writing compelling me to keep reading. Alice as character stuck with me for weeks. Just terrific.
1458033
This book is what the newspapers and TV news don't have space or time to report. If you want to know what's really going on in Iraq and more importantly understand in detail the series of operational mistakes that have turned an opportunity into a horror and made insurgents out of otherwise non-militant Muslims then you'll appreciate this firsthand account of a journalist in the Green Zone. I enjoyed most the author's insight into daily life in Baghdad (and the painful disruptions in innocent Iraqi life) as well as the personalities of well-intentioned but misguided US officials and contractors. Every chapter details the striking arrogance and lack of compassion of our administration.
316056
I couldn't put this book down until I finished it. This account of the Iraq war puts a very different slant on the news stories we hear every day. The personal stories of the Marines Chaplain Cash encountered were quite compelling, and the mighty presence of the Lord amongst them was truly a blessing to read. I bought this book as a Father's Day gift for my husband, but decided to read it myself as it looked so interesting. I'd highly recommend this book for everyone.
4362093
This book is a thoroughly mainstream account of the Iraq war. It focuses largely on the effects the Iraq war had on the United States, implicitly accepting the notions that underlie American imperialism. It describes with horror the torture and other depredations of the Iraqi insurgency, but is quite silent about similar American abuses, including the absolutely astonishing scale of death and destruction in Iraq brought about by the American invasion. Still, one can learn a great deal from this book about the incredible incompetence and stupidity of the people who launched this war. To summarize the book, they had absolutely no idea what they were doing. The fact that they had no idea what they were doing lead naturally to the disastrous conclusion of the war: most major US war aims were lost. Ricks repeats Bush administration propaganda about the actual war aims, but one need not be a genius to understand that the real goal of the Iraq war was to control Iraq's energy resources and strategic space. These goals have been almost entirely lost at this point, and were on their way in that direction when Ricks finished writing his book.

Well worth reading for anyone who can read between the lines of mainstream commentary and pick up the real story in the facts buried beneath the rhetoric.