Pride of Baghdad Hardcover – Sep 13 2006

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up—A heartbreaking look at what it's like to live in a war zone. Inspired by true events, this story tells of four lions that escape from the Baghdad Zoo during a bombing raid in 2003 and encounter other animals that offer unique perspectives, such as a tortoise that survived World War I. They begin to question the nature of freedom. Can it be achieved without being earned? What is its price? What do the lions owe the zookeepers who took care of them at the cost of keeping them in captivity? Where should they go? What should they eat? The four lions soon realize that a desert city is nothing like the grassy savannas of their memories. Their experiences mirror those of the Iraqi citizens displaced by the conflict. The book succeeds as a graphic novel and as an account of the current crisis. Henrichon's full palette emphasizes browns and grays that evoke the sands of the country, while his long brushstrokes and careful attention to detail reflect the precise and minimalist dialogue that Vaughan uses. An allegorical tale with compelling and believable characters, Baghdad makes it clear that without self-determination, there can be no freedom—Erin Dennington, Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax, VA
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Review

"Deeply moving."--LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK REVIEW, starred★

"Lavishly drawn, and devastating...Vaughan has his marvelously imagined characters debate the concept of freedom versus desire for safety...the total effect is memorable."--PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, starred★

"This is an important work, strongly recommended for all adult collections."--LIBRARY JOURNAL, starred★

"Seems destined to cement the reputation of Brian K. Vaughan as one of the best writers to grace the medium in many years."--VARIETY

"Lushly illustrated by Niko Henrichon."--THE NEW YORK TIMES

"Destined to cement the reputation of Brian K. Vaughan as one of the best writers to grace the medium.--VARIETY

"A brightly colored tragedy, Pride of Baghdad is as unblinking as the perils faced every day in the real Iraq."--USA TODAY

"This is an important work, strongly recommended for all adult collections."--LIBRARY JOURNAL starred★

"You can put it right next to Watchmen. It's that good."--IGN --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.