Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #67549 in Books
• Published on: 2008-03-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 544 pages

Review
'Magisterial...Pure gold...Will certainly become the benchmark work against which all later books will have to be measured. It is authoritative, incisive, dispassionate, devastating in its important judgments, and wholly original. Allawi is one of a handful of men who can tell the whole story of policy, government and administration from the basis of close, personal experience.' --Roger Owen, Harvard University

'While many books have been written about Iraq's tragedy, Ali Allawi's story offers a unique insider's perspective of the global forces, local passions and diverse personalities that converged to create a situation that will haunt us for decades. An indispensable source of ideas about what happened - and what is likely to happen - in Iraq.' --Moises Naim, editor in chief of Foreign Policy magazine

'A comprehensive survey of the occupation of Iraq that highlights the complacency and failings of the American project. This is a sobering account, written from the rare view of an Iraqi insider. Allawi reveals how often the Iraqis were ignored in the chaotic rebuilding of their country and explains the complex dynamics behind Iraq's descent into violent sectarainism.' --Rory McCarthy, Jerusalem correspondent for the Guardian

Military Illustrated, April, 2007
'This is, without doubt, a valuable and unusual book giving a totally new
perspective on events in Iraq. Highly recommended.'

Sunday Times 'News Review', 29th April 2007
'... by far the best account of the calamitous decent from the
widespread euphoria of the early days.'

Customer Reviews

The rise and fall of some ancient civilisation
The author of this book is an Iraqi who recently served as both Finance and Defence Minister in the Iraqi government.

His insight is extraordinary and his knowledge incredibly wide ranging. He is simply the insider. From the book you will learn everything about the war, the sectarian divisions of Iraq, the American shortcomings, bribery and corruption, about the key players and so on.

The book is a quick read...like a gripping story about the rise and fall of some ancient civilisation, witnessed by one of its players. Unfortunately it's happening now, and under our banners.

Allawi is the only current writer on Iraq of any stature who actually is Iraqi, speaks Arabic and yet is very West-familiar.

His revelations, especially concerning corruption and money mismanagement are blood curdling. (Americans sent billions of dollars in suitcases to war torn Bagdad faster than criminals in and out of government could steal it).

This book should be read and re-read for many years to come as the ultimate lesson in what happens when you start to `liberate' countries in the name of dubious ideologies (or even God, according to Bush).

It seems that the West has never learned the lessons of experimenting with ideologies on a grand scale. We tried it with communism and fascism and we now try with neoliberalism and `a rapid democracy export.'

Accurate in depth assessment
I recommeend this book. I enjoyed reading it. Highly accurate, evidence based and balanced views.

Unrivalled
An absolutely wonderful book. It gives a close and detailed analysis of the political, social, economic, religious and military situation in Iraq prior to and during the occupation. The level of detail and insight is unrivalled, coming as it does from a former exciled opposition politician and now senior figure in the Iraqi government.

It's probably not the best book for an introduction to the subject: it might help if you have some knowledge of the politics of the occupation, for example. On the other hand it is very easy to read and consists mainly of short, precisely titled sections. There are thorough footnotes and cross-references.

An excellent resource book on the subject.