The nation that will insist upon drawing a broad line of distinction between the fighting man and the thinking man is liable to find its fighting done by fools and its thinking by cowards.
-- Sir William Francis Butler
Inside Iraq: The History, the People, and the Modern Conflicts of the World's Least Understood Land
by
Known as the cradle of civilization, Iraq has a diverse and complex culture that dates back to ancient Mesopotamia. Now, with the U.S.-Iraq conflict over weapons of mass destruction continuing to grow, it is increasingly important for us to seek insight and solutions to this troubled region. Inside Iraq helps make sense of this nation's longstanding travails, detailing the past, present, and future of a place that is rich in oil and culture yet poor in leadership. Organized into three sections—History, People, and Politics—the collection includes nonfiction pieces by a distinguished roster of writers, historians, journalists, and scholars. This is an essential book for everyone seeking new levels of understanding about the place whose fate, now more than ever, has an impact on the entire world. Contributions by Tony Horwitz, Michael Kelly, Milton Viorst, Raymond Bonner, Jon Lee Anderson, Evan Thomas, Freya Stark, and many other distinguished writers are featured.