A History of Iraq

A must read for any who would make or influence U.S. policy in Iraq. I began reading the first printing of this book while awaiting transportation into Iraq and finished while in-country. The author's readable history of the faux nation called Iraq is essential in helping to create perspective for the new Iraq scholar or for those who believe they already know it all. The reader will most likely encounter a feeling of dejavu while exploring the British occupation post-WWI. The prominent historical role of tribal shieks and secondarily, religous leaders may surprise Westerners more familiar with elected political power, but understanding who the "real" players are in the Iraqi drama helps one to understand many of the factors that have led to the current U.S. administration's difficulties in bringing western democracy to a people who have neither experienced democracy in the past, nor who exhibit a passionate desire to embrace it for themselves. There are several rather dry sections in the work, but it is worth wading through them to get to the essence of Iraq's history.

I am a college student that knew nothing about Iraq before I read this. Soon after getting through Charles Tripp's text, Iraq immediatelly became clear and approachable and I now find it a much easier country to follow. Anyone who wants to obtain an immediate foundation on Iraq mustn't look any further than Charles Tripp's A History of Iraq. Take a week out of your life to read this thing and you will be much better for it. Also, Peter Sluglett's books are solid too.

This is the most important book one can read if interested in the fundamental state processes of Iraq. Reading its 300 pages is a far better alternative then laboring through Hanna Batatu's 1000+ page Iraqi Bible and is just as rich in content. His last chapter is near prophetic and its cautions were ignored and thus revealed after the invasion of `03. Had the War architects read this book before the invasion, Iraq would look much different today. Cheers to Charles Tripp and his unprecedented genius. Hopefully well versed regional experts like himself will one day have a greater impact on the formulation of foreign policy instead of being ignored by ignorant and reductionist politicians.

Not shallow, not too deep. A very good short history. As the topic is vast, this is a excelent book for a person looking for a solid framework of facts. Almost every part of it could be written in length, but this is not the point of a concise one-volume history.

The previous review is grossly unfair. The book is supposed to be a concise history, not an exhaustive analysis of every single issue and event in Iraq. There is an excellent list of suggested sources should the reader wish to engage in further research on any topic. The book is erudite and well-written. It does not assume that the reader has an extensive knowledge of the Middle East. Two friends borrowed this book for coursework and I had a hard time getting it back, actually.