Rating: 
Summary: Great Insight
Review: Unable to put it down, I read this book on one transatlantic flight.A nice blend of strightforward reportage of the central events interspersed with highly personal takes on the extortionate nature of the old regime and the constant pressure on foreign correspondents to satisfy the whims of the greedy and disreputable-- too often including their own egos and those of their employers. Those accustomed to the assiduously neutral words of her radio reports will enjoy the way she gets a few things off her chest. Ms. Garrels does a wonderful job of demonstrating the near-impossibility of determining to a certainty what should be done. I'll read it again and am buying copies for friends. Full disclosure: I've known Anne for 20 years and think she is a great reporter!
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent coverage of showing Iraq from the inside
Review: What an excellent piece of journalism. While excited to read this book, admittedly, I did go into it knowing NPR's propensity to left leaning bias, but nonetheless assured that it was going to be very good. Which it was. Being admittedly sensitive to anti-Americanism, I was a little uncomfortable at first reading Annes reports of anti-US sentiment in the country but after being honest with myself realized that this is not liberal bias, just honest reporting of what the Iraqis feel. To be noted is the fact the Mrs. Garrels quotes many Iraqi's who are Pro-American. Having said all that, I believe that Anne Garrels honestly reports the general feeling of the Iraqi public without letting her own biases get in the way. Evidence of Mrs. Garrels non-partial reporting can be found in her reporting and uncovering of the mis-information fed out by the Iraqi Ministry of Information. Reporters with an agenda could have very well taken some of the stories that Anne debunks and dishonestly used them to promote their views on the war. I found the last 1 1/2 pages of the book both interesting (in a socio-political way) and disheartening. While in Iraq, Mrs. Garrels seems to become quasi-Iraqi and successfully convey a brand of thinking outside the influence of American politics. However, once back in the USA, she again becomes American and instead of the profound questions she asks on page 190 ("Who are the Iraqi's? How did they get a Saddam? .. Where do they go from here?"), we are left with "Where are the W.M.D's? .. Could it be that Saddam was actually telling the truth..?". I feel that she did a great job of reporting just the facts for 217 pages, but then dropped the ball at the very end. While I'm sure it wasn't her intention, she seems to leave the impression that the whole book leads up to this final bout of political opinion. For this reason, I don't think that the book ended strong. HOWEVER, 217 of 219 pages were masterfully reported, and I believe give a good idea of the necessity for ousting Saddam. What better evidence can be given then the fear in the Iraqi population as reported through Anne Garrels eyes. While, I'm sure that there are tidbits that both liberals and conservatives wouldn't like, all I can say is ce'st la vie. The truth is rarely Democrat or Republican. Don't read this book to boast your polical views: it's not that kind of book. Read this book to find out what it's like to be in Iraq under Saddam's regime and to live with the fear of uncertainty. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Listen to the silences...
Review: While another reviewer chided Anne Garrels for reporting on "local color", it is that local color that helps to paint the picture of the Iraq that we find ourselves struggling with today. The people she met, the stories they told, the future they predicted, all came together to help me, a true non-student of politics, understand the situation a bit better. I'd love a follow-up done sometime - what has happened to some of the people she knew in the year or so since she left Baghdad? What else do we need to hear from Iraq's people... not the militants, but the true, proud, Iraqi people who deeply want the future they dared dream of? The story says much - both in what has been written, as well as by what was not said. This is not a review of American policy, but a glimpse into the Iraq of late 2002 and early 2003. The audio version was outstanding. The narration by the author moved with the story, leading me to think that she was, perhaps, envisioning the events again as they unfolded. It felt very much "present tense". The e-mails from Vint Lawrence added a break and contrast, and truly enhanced the tale.
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