(Hard Cover)

(Paperback)

Arabic Language

"…by far the most absorbing and disturbing of the many recent books
[and] has the authority that comes from formidable knowledge and understanding of a far-away country which, so far, has proved all too complex and intractable.”
—The Economist

“Polk’s compact book should be required reading for servicemen and women headed for Iraq as well as for today’s policy planners…crisp, clear narrative writing.”
—The Washington Post

“Polk’s history…reads like a portent…The effect is haunting.”
—Publishers Weekly

“…a sober and informed account of Iraq’s history, culminating in a compelling critique of the U.S. intervention there.”
—Foreign Affairs

STARRED “Polk’s distinguished 60-year career of diplomatic and academic intimacy with the Middle East grants him unique authority on his subject and puts this book head and shoulders above other analyses…Candid, concise, and highly recommended.”
—Booklist

“The author could hardly be more expert…for anyone truly wishing to understand this horrendous adventure, there is no better book than this one.”
—Journal of the American Foreign Service Association

"A supremely helpful companion to, and gloss on, the news from Iraq...Learned, constantly engaging and full of pointed lessons for those wondering why the war has not ended, peace has not come..."
—Kirkus Reviews

Todo lo que usted quiera saber sobre Irak
—El Heraldo

“Polk's distinguished 60-year career of diplomatic and academic intimacy with the Middle East grants him unique authority on his subject and puts this book head and shoulders above other analyses. Candid, concise, and highly recommended; make a definite effort to place this in the hands of your politically- and current-events-minded readers.”
—American Library Association

"A digestible history of this tortured land is something Americans sorely need...And Polk carefully constructs one."
—USA Today

"This book will be informative to two groups scarcely on speaking terms: the supporters of President Bush's invasion of Iraq and those implacably opposed to it...William Polk presents the reader with the full sweep of Iraq's history...He gives us a comprehensive tour."
—Washington Times

"...a short (220 pp), pithy, beautifully written account of Iraq and the Iraqis from the earliest times to today."
—Blogcritics [Australia]