Nobody Told Us We Are Defeated
Stories from the new Iraq
1st Edition
Published on 15. February 2011
336 pages
978-1-4464-4801-4 (ISBN)
Description
In May 2003 journalist Rory McCarthy went to Iraq to cover what was claimed to be the triumphant rebuilding of the country after the American invasion. Two years later he left a place teetering on the brink of civil war, whose inhabitants longed for the Americans to leave but feared what would happen if they did.
Throughout his stay, McCarthy was struck by how little the Iraqi point of view was represented in the media, drowned out by the message of the British and American occupying powers. This book is an attempt to recify that. By telling the stories of some of the Iraqis that McCarthy came to know, it reveals, more subtly and interestingly than any political rhetoric, the fatal extent to which they were misunderstood.
From the survivor of one of Sadaam's mass graves to the insurgents of Najaf, McCarthy shows us men and women living the dilemmas of Iraq from day to day, and making crucial decisions about where they stand. The result is a moving and important book that gives a remarkable overview of a nation in turmoil.
Throughout his stay, McCarthy was struck by how little the Iraqi point of view was represented in the media, drowned out by the message of the British and American occupying powers. This book is an attempt to recify that. By telling the stories of some of the Iraqis that McCarthy came to know, it reveals, more subtly and interestingly than any political rhetoric, the fatal extent to which they were misunderstood.
From the survivor of one of Sadaam's mass graves to the insurgents of Najaf, McCarthy shows us men and women living the dilemmas of Iraq from day to day, and making crucial decisions about where they stand. The result is a moving and important book that gives a remarkable overview of a nation in turmoil.
Reviews / Votes
A brilliant, insightful account of how Iraqis have viewed our invasion. McCarthy meets ordinary and extraordinary Iraqis, taking considerable risks in doing so. This is some of the best writing about Iraq since the war began -- Jon Snow This is an excellent book, written with perception and empathy, it gives us rare access to the thinking of a population deeply traumatised by dictatorship, brutality and civil war -- Toby Dodge, expert on Iraqi politics at the University of London and for the International Institute of Strategic StudiesMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Vintage Publishing
File size
0,44 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-4464-4801-4 (9781446448014)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
08/2006
Chatto & Windus
€34.87
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Person
Rory McCarthy was born in London in 1971. He read history at Cambridge University and has worked as a foreign correspondent for the Guardian. He covered the war in Afghanistan and lived in Baghdad for two years. He now lives with his partner in Jerusalem.
