Fall Of Baghdad [Hardcover]

Of the many accounts finding their way into print regarding the journalist's eyewitness view of the onset of war in Iraq, few are as singularly exciting or as authentically spontaneous as this rendering from veteran news correspondent Jon Lee Andersen, whose account of the approach and early progress of the war on the ground in Baghdad is quite unnerving. Like a descent into Dante's Inferno, the reader is swept into the swirl of explosions, confusion and depravity that the war drags in its fateful wake. Unlike most foreign correspondents, Andersen was already positioned in the city before the onset of hostilities, and was not embedded with American soldiers as were most of his counterparts. For that reason, he can deliver a quite diverting and totally uncharacteristic view of the pedestrian's view of the war up close and personal, without either the protection or the potential interference of the military in determining what he sees or how he interprets it. And what he sees is harrowing, indeed.

Andersen witnesses the unraveling of the social fabric as the daily tension and anxiety regarding the forthcoming blitzkrieg mounts into a crescendo of emotions and activity. The average man on the street understands all too well that they live within the very bulls eye targeted by the stealth bombers and the cruise missiles; yet they prepare for the coming hostilities with what the author views as an astonishing degree of resignation and a simple acceptance of the overwhelming fact that the Americans are coming, and that there is little or nothing they can do about it. And in the mix of the fear and loathing was an exigent fear of the current regime, with its endless capacity to punish anyone they might construe as unruly, discontented, or disloyal. So they gin up as much gallows humor as possible, and whistle on their way through their daily chores, determined to survive both Saddam and the Americans, as well.

The author also does a good job in depicting how daily incidents force the journalists to choose between their professional ambitions on the one hand, and their desire to stay alive long enough to have the story published. He weaves telling anecdotes into the narrative in such a way as to breathe more realism and a greater appreciation for the cultural, social, and political conflicts individual Iraqis had to overcome to assist him with the story, and in many instances we come to admire the passion, courage and tenacity of such people in pursuing a better life under the most harrowing of circumstances. This is a great book, one that is both a great read and very illuminating as well. I can highly recommend it for anyone interested in better understanding what life on the ground was like during those fateful weeks and months that the war in Iraq was being decided. Enjoy!

Jon Lee Anderson is a reporter who has realized the importance of building relationships with people in Iraq so he can tell the story of the country from a person to person perspective. He is obviously trusted and respected by people who are willing to take risks so he can witness the effects of Saddam's rule and the war on the day to day life of those he interviews.

I found the book fascinating and adding so much depth beyond the daily news. What the news never relates is how warm and friendly the Iraqi people are even in the face of the current chaos in their country. It is striking and moving when Jon Lee consistently describes how the people he talks with separate the U.S. Government and military from him as an individual American reporter.

The reader is made aware that Iraq can't just be seen as "a country" but should be viewed as individual people whose lives are being profoundly effected every day in every way by the Coalition presence and the lack of security.

Iraqis seem to see talking to Jon Lee Anderson as an opportunity to give their opinion about the occupation and state their frustrations and questions. He in turn has, through the book, given their thoughts a voice that wouldn't be heard any other way. I wish our leaders would listen to what they are saying.

An excellent book which looks at the war through the eyes of Iraqi's that the author knew within the city.

The early chapters without a question paint a picture of a country in the grip of a murderous madman. Every indication shows every interview shows people doing what was needed to survive. Its kind of sad to read of people debasing themselves to get by.

The war itself was even more unreal, I can't consider what goes through the author's mind while listening to the drivel he is told by the people in charge.

The most interesting part is the post war bit and the Iraqi character. There are two things here to consider:

1. Iraqi's had spent decades adapting themselves to live under Saddam. Many actually were able to live quite well. They knew what was expected and acted accordingly. When that was gone many just couldn't cope. Instead of death coming from one known source, it could come from many at any time. This will be a real test of the character of Iraq and its ability to become a free society.

2. As a person of Siclian origin I recognize the way these people think. It is like thinking of the Mafia. You fear it as it can kill you, you respect it because their way of thinking is how you are taught, and even admire it because it is a power that is from your own race, it is that combination that kept and keeps many from "rating" out the mob. This is the same thing that keeps many people from helping us in Iraq. It is a love/hate relationship.

As the attackers concentrate on their fellow Iraqis (such as today's murder of children) this might change, it is one of the reasons why the mob doesn't tend to strike in its own neighborhoods.

A fine read

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