Rating: 
Summary: Canadian Doctor's Wife who Lived in Saudi Arabia...
Review: This book on Iraq was all right in that it is a primer of sorts on the country and it is a topic everyone SHOULD be interested in, if they are not. I agree with most reviewers that it was not a great work. However, I generally buy all of this author's work as my husband worked with her husband at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh. I was disturbed by some information given by the author that states she lived in Saudi Arabia from 1978-1984. I happen to KNOW that the author lived in Riyadh from 1978-1980 and then from 1982-1984. In the two years inbetween, she returned to the United States. I know as I was there when she arrived and when she left and then again when she returned. I believe this information is misleading to the reader in that it makes it appear the author lived longer in a country than she actually did. And, if you read the information in the first edition of The Saudis, you will see that the author states the correct years in that book. I do not understand how this could have been a mistake. I believe the publisher should insist on the author correcting this information as it makes a reader question other information given in a book. I will probably continue to buy this author's books but I am distressed by this misleading information.This makes me ask the question of how much time this author has truly spent in the Middle East since she left Riyadh in 1984. I think it is very difficult to write about an area if you no longer live there, are at the least, travel there for lenghty periods. I could not get a feel for how long the author remained in Iraq as that information was never really clear. I would like to know the dates the author traveled to that country and how long she stayed on each visit. Such information would be enlightening and make me know that the information I am reading is based on the author's personal experiences.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Introduction to a Complex Subject
Review: While it is true that this book contains little original research, it is an excellent introduction to Iraqi history. The author obviously has been to Iraq -- many chapters begin with a personal account which she uses to frame her historical material. I found these passages particularly revealing. The writing is very accessible and the author has a knack for making complex subjects -- such as the various ethnic divisions within Iraqi society -- comprehensible by a layperson. I received this book as a gift and opened it with few expectations, but found much of the narrative truly gripping. Recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Timely book on Iraq
Review: With an attack on Saddam likely quite soon and with a new Iraq emerging from the ashes of his ruthless regime, this book is well worth everyone's attention. Lots of history, lots of analysis on the various elements and subelements of the Iraq political culture. Well written. My only criticism is that the author is a bit too gloomy about the future. I think by the year 2010, Iraq will be a model regime for the entire region.
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