by Mikethehack » Thu Dec 21, 2006 12:28 am
In Search of Iraq: Baghdad to Babylon by Richard Downes
A wonderful book that is probably the best, and most unique of its kind on the country and situation I have read.
I was expecting a book by a journalist about journalists and to be quite frank that is what I was hoping for, but instead discovered it to be a well written and well balanced mix of history, geography, politics and humanity.
I swore I wouldn't read another book about Iraq because I was sick of them and didn't approach this book with any enthusiasm, but he does have a nice, man-of-the-people curiosity about Iraq and let's them tell their own stories, without casting judgement on them.
He does a good job of describing the small colours and shades of the land and its complex history and problems, without getting too poetic or dwelling on trivial details, while still giving you a decent feel of where you are. You already know it's a mess and he doesn't insult your intelligence with the big story.
In short it's very educational and works well as both a travel guide and history book on a country that badly needs to be treated with kid gloves by all those involved.
This is rather rare praise on my part and not without criticism, because the photos are crap (with the exception of the cover, which does a good job of conveying the beauty of what is inside) and don't do the prose absolutley any justice at all. I hope he takes a serious look at this in the next printing. I am sure there is plenty of photographs and old drawings that could illustrate the story a lot better.
He could also leave out the 'I nearly died' stuff, which takes away from the lives of his subjects. the tension of the chaotic country is always at the back of the reader's mind and he never lets you forget the time you are in, without letting it drown out the interesting detail.
His gentle interaction works better and his skill as an observer and ability to map the character of the country is his strong point. You feel like you are there with him and he tells the story like someone who has really done their homework on the country, learning at street level, from amongst the people, and not from haughty history.
To hell with the politics and daily mass murder because life still goes on and this is what he describes in rich detail. It fills in a lot of gaps in the complex tapestry of what makes Iraq what it is.
It is not in any chronological order (which is different, but works well here), instead dealing with each subject on its own, such as his times with Sunnis, Shia, the Marsh Arabs and Coalition troops, concentrating on the humanity that makes up the mass of what is Iraq today.
The book is without doubt exceptionally educational and has plenty of eye-opening curiosities which make the book what it is. He allows the people there more dignity than they give themselves.
He could be described as being a good ambassador for the real people of Iraq, who are not all blood-thirsty savages, but who have a rich history that will live long after this day is over.
It is very easy to read and he gently draws you in, giving you a well rounded picture of his subjects, be they people, buildings or sects without getting lost in the detail.
Recommended.
I'm not really a proper reporter, due to the chronic lack of discipline, negligible attention span, and a certain juvenile difficulty taking serious things seriously.
Andrew Mueller.