George Packer on IRAQ

I just finished reading George Packer's new book on Iraq, and was very impressed with it. Packer is longtime correspondent for the New Yorker, and his book chronicles his extensive travels through Iraq over a 2-3 year period. The book is a rare combination of extensive conversations with average Iraqis, (in some cases) years of conversations with key members of the Iraqi exile movement, members of the neo-conservative faction in Washington, and American civilian and military personnel in Iraq and Washington. The book also chronicles the decision-making which led to the rise of the neo-cons and their incompetence at almost every key stage: from the decision to invade, to the bungled occupation of Iraq. George Packer is an excellent story-teller, just what you might expect from a New Yorker writer.

While I am looking forward to reading Robert Fisk's recently released book on the Middle East, I think "The Assassins Gate" is also a must-read for those who are interested in Iraq and the Middle East. Whereas Robert Fisk can sometimes come across (at least in interviews and speeches) as a supremely self-confident type who never doubts the correctness of his views, Packer admits to having doubts about his interpretations and recognizes the complexity of the region and the events that are taking place. Packer also interviews both people on the streets and those in the corridors of power -- a dual perspective that is lacking in Fisk's writings.

Read "The Assassins Gate"!