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Title: Saddam Hussein: A Political Biography by Efraim Karsh, Inari Rautsi ISBN: 0-8021-3978-7 Publisher: Grove Press Pub. Date: January, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.6 (5 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: An Argument Veiled as History
Comment: This is a flawed book best used for reference but still deserving of the interested reader's perusal, if not full attention. The weakness here is not so much inaccuracy but an agenda on the part of authors Efraim Karsh and Inari Rautsi. From the beginning, Karsh and Rautsi argue that Hussein is a "ruthless pragmatist" willing to sacrifice anyone to stay in power. In doing so, Karsh and Rautsi steer this book toward criticism, a distracting shift for a supposed biography. While the authors detail the history of Hussein's regime in depth, the majority of events singled out for discussion are those that reinforce their image of Hussein as paranoid, narcissistic, disloyal, violent, and ignorant of military and political realities. I don't doubt these observations; they have been documented elsewhere. Further, I understand the need for anchoring non-fiction to a theme as a way of keeping focus and holding reader attention. What I question here is more fundamental. In focusing on the dark side of Hussein's character and presenting evidence of such, the authors present a well-researched editorial yet not a biography. If Karsh and Rautsi are the journalists they claim to be, they should know that even hated tyrants deserve balanced treatment. Nor does it help that the writing suffers from crusty jargon and a flat, inelegant style. The authors and their editors at Grove Press clearly buy into the myth that turgid pacing signifies quality scholarship. The authors also overuse polite yet tired euphemisms common to political writing such as "purge" and "repress." My advice is to use more colorful and direct words such as "murder," "fire," and "abuse." If someone chooses to read about Hussein, it's likely they can stomach the nastiness those particular words signify. These days, the only people using expressions like "purge" and "repress" in a political context are textbook writers who borrow liberally from other textbook writers. Those are the flaws. Good points exist, such as concise editing for relevance, allowing the text to flow from one major event to another unmarred by needless tangents. We don't learn about Hussein's favorite breakfast foods and TV shows, or whether he dyes his mustache. The authors show humility if not style, and the exhaustive bibliography provides a superb starting point for lay readers and students alike. While uninspired writing and a biased orientation do make this a problematic book, the skillful research and chronological structure redeem it for academic use. Buy it used.
Rating: 1
Summary: saddam biography by an israeli
Comment: this book is very biased,not hard to understand seeing this book was co written by an israeli.israel and iraq has been arch enemies for a long time,how can a person who was taught to dislike and hate hussein write a non biased book on the man.i'm waiting for a biography of saddam hussein written by an iraqi author who can tell us what it really was like knowing saddam hussein and living under saddam hussein years in power in iraq.
Rating: 5
Summary: A must read about Hussein
Comment: This book is one of the greatest anyone can buy about Saddam Hussein. It exposes him for what he is, a ruthless, bloody man who will backstab people just as easily as he will make deals with them. All things and ideals are just pawns in his game to continue his reign. Sanctions, Palestine, Israel, Arab Unity, Iraqi people, each are just pawns that he uses when it favors him, and attacks them when it favors him. The book goes into detail about how to Hussein EVERYTHING is allowed as long it furthers his own goals. An informative book that I would recommend to anyone interested in the topic.
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Title: Saddam: King of Terror by Con Coughlin ISBN: 0060505419 Publisher: Ecco Pub. Date: 05 November, 2002 List Price(USD): $26.95 |
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Title: Out of the Ashes : The Resurrection of Saddam Hussein by Andrew Cockburn, Patrick Cockburn ISBN: 0060929839 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 01 March, 2000 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Saddam Hussein by Said K. Aburish, Said Aburish ISBN: 0747549036 Publisher: Trafalgar Square Pub. Date: 01 March, 2001 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: A History of Iraq by Charles Tripp ISBN: 052152900X Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 27 May, 2002 List Price(USD): $22.00 |
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Title: I Was Saddam's Son by Karl Latif/Wendl Yahia ISBN: 1559703733 Publisher: Arcade Books Pub. Date: 01 May, 1997 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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