This book tells the story of a young woman with six sisters. Her rich uncle has seven sons and is considered blessed, while her father, a poor man with seven daughters is considered cursed. One of the daughters dresses as a man and makes a fortune as a merchant. I've read this book innumerable times and each time found it better than the last. As the only daughter in a family of six children, I took the story to heart the first time I read it and the main character became my personal heroine. She makes herself look like a man to succeed in a man's world, but she never loses sight of feminity. She is able to overcome the subservient role which is expected of women in her culture with poise. It is a truly inspirational story for any young girl to read.

I just read this book as a school project but now I have read it over and over. This is a great book about a girl named Buran who lives with her six sisters and her poor family in ancient Baghdad. Buran wants to help her family's money problems so she dresses up as a boy and joins a caravan across the Sahara to Tyre. There she sets up shop and soon she is making a good living. But soon she makes friends with the prince of the city. Buran secretly falls in love with him but she can't tell him that because the prince thinks that she is a he.

I read this book as a young adult and thought it was wonderful. This book is about a very capable girl that sets out on her own to save her family and in the meantime finds her freedom and self-worth despite the restrictions of her moslem culture. Her father sired 7 daughters, and her uncle 7 sons and the whole book revolves around the irony that the man considered cursed with only girls later becomes wealthy and happy while all the rich cousins bankrupt their father. The heroine joins a caravan dresses as a boy as she leaves her home town to make her fortune. The work is hard but she is very skillful and inteligent at trading and becomes a pillar of the community in her adopted city. As a spice and herb trader she becomes famous (as a young man) and becomes close friends with the city's prince and his companions. It is only a matter of time before a the young men suspect their effemate young friend who doesn't go to the public bath house or go out drinking so they set up a series of hillarious tests to decide if he is really a she! Then story ends with a delicious series of punishments for the greedy cousins of her uncle that prevents her father from marrying her to any of the seven sons and the arrival of just the right prince for this extraordinary woman. Great book that reads like a popular fable that everyone has heard off but nobody really knows and that is great for contemporary audiences

Joseph Braude tries - in fewer than 200 pages - to offer a compelling, absorbing, and optimistic vision of Iraq's future. I think he does quite brilliantly.

Please understand that these questions of rebuilding Iraq are far deeper and ultimately of greater consequence than your position on this war. In the end, it means little to Iraqis whether you love or hate Bush or Blair. And thankfully Mr. Braude is wise enough to realize that his personal views on the conflict, now that the war is a reality, are not of surpassing importance. What will indeed matter greatly to the destiny of Iraq, its talented, beleaguered people, and the entire Middle East is whether American society and the world mobilize and commit themselves to compassionately rebuilding a thriving New Iraq. And Braude gracefully describes what that New Iraq must look like. It must do justice to the startlingly unique culture of that great land. And it must unleash the marvelous collective talent of Iraqis - a freedom-starved, proud people who have waited - truly voiceless! - for economic and political justice to reach their shattered homeland. The New Iraq offers a vision for success in all areas of the rebuilding - from the reconstituted Iraqi military to the cinema - without losing sight of Iraq's unique cultural, religious, and economic institutions that have (miraculously) survived the Ba'ath nightmare.

Saddam Hussein offered the people of Iraq a brutal police state, a fascist ideology, innovations in fear and torture. He almost succeeded in grinding the Arab world's most multiethnic society into dust. But Saddam Hussein is the past.

In the near future, many societies from across the globe will be uniting with Iraqis in an historic state building effort of almost unprecedented scope and importance. Joseph Braude's book, in my opinion, is a terrific starting point for their humane and historic discussions. Finally, some optimism and a sense of mission! A vital counterweight to the cynicism and fatalism in the air today. I heartily endorse it.

As a fellow Iraqi-American, I thank Joseph Braude for writing his excellent book, The New Iraq. I bought my copy and read it cover-to-cover with glee and rapt attention.

Not only does Braude write well and demonstrate the fruits of deep research, but he also engages the reader with humor, vivid stories, and cultural insights that lead the reader to the heart of the Iraqi people. From the amazing stories of Tanukhi, the medieval judge and storyteller, to the resillient adventures of ingenious modern Iraqi businessmen, Braude weaves a delightful tapestry in The New Iraq.

As an Iraqi-American, Braude's love for the Iraqi people and their culture is evident. It's also evident that Braude is an appreciator of the best of America and is an ambassador who bridges the gap of understanding between Americans and Iraqis. He has degrees from Yale and Princeton in Arab and Islamic studies and has lived in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and throughout the Middle East. With the media coverage focusing so much on the details of war, the punditry of retired generals, and the mechanics of invasion, Joseph Braude's The New Iraq takes a step back to admire the past, present, and potentially bright future of the Iraqi people.

As an Iraqi, I want Americans to learn more about my people. I believe, as Joseph Braude does, that it is essential for Americans to engage the people of Iraq who have lived in Saddam's shadow for years. "This book is not about Saddam Hussein," writes author Braude. Indeed, this book is about the exciting yet underreported and repressed accomplishments of the Iraqi people - a people who have the potential to build a great country. In the introduction to his book, Braude offers a call to action for Americans and others throughout the world in the public and private sector to join in supporting the rebuilding of Iraq. Braude calls on Americans to contribute their talents and energies toward one of the Middle East's most talented peoples. As Braude argues in his introduction, rebuilding Iraq after the war will benefit not only the people of Iraq, but also the Middle East and the world. The transformation will take time, Braude warns, but the benefits are immense. I am so proud of the idealism, balanced with a practical streak, that 28-year old Braude radiates.

In rebuilding Iraq, Americans will show my brothers and sisters in the Arab world that the U.S. is serious about bringing civil society and the best of our values to the Middle East. Read Braude's The New Iraq for inspiration.

After reading Joseph Braude's The New Iraq, I am now inspired to find ways that I can help the people of Iraq build the country of their dreams. Now that the war is over, rebuilding Iraq is the top priority. Those who want to understand Iraq's past and where Iraq might be heading ought to read The New Iraq. Braude sets a positive course for the future, packing his prose with exciting stories, anecdotes, and cultural flavor (I loved the chapter on Iraqi cinema and entertainment!). The "Teachers and Judges of Truth" chapter paints a compelling portrait of the kinds of change that will be needed in Iraq's legal and educational system, so that the country can one day bloom into a democracy. This book is a winner.

Ally to Adversary is a unique opportunity to be in on the planning and conduct of a military conflict that most of us only see "highlights" of on television. Rick Francona allows us to be the "fly on the wall" in high-level intelligence briefings, the multi-service coordination chain, and grass-roots level contact with real people. Francona's story-telling style takes the reader into an exotic world of danger and intrigue as smoothly as any best-selling fiction author. Occasionally, I found myself thinking, "Things like this only happen in the movies!" But this is his true story. His "characters" are real and sympathetic. The situations into which he takes us along are delicate and, at times, hair-raising.

As I read his book, I was enlightened about things I saw watching the war and its prelude from afar, as did so many other people. Francona lends understanding to that which is often misunderstood, such as the hows and whys of war. He doesn't whitewash the Gulf War; he gives it human faces and personal conflict.

Ally to Adversary is a candidate for everyone's "must-read" list, whether you are a veteran of the military, a military historian, or a civilian looking for a fascinating read.

Rick Francona, a retired USAF LtCol., has written an account of the Gulf War as no one else can. He is probably unique in that he served in Baghdad during the Iran/Iraq war (to include excursions into Iraqi frontline trenches during the fighting) and then on Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf's staff as an interpreter and intelligence officer. Francona's experiences and perspective make for an interesting memoir of the war. He was there for most of the key decisions and events of the war, and he is very frank in his description of working with the Coalition partners, particularly the Saudis. Likewise, he provides an honest account of the efficacy of the air war, summed up in the placard over the desk of one of the airpower planners in Riyadh: "We are not preparing the battlefield, we are destroying it."

Also, readers will learn how the politics of realism comes into play in the Middle East -- from US involvement in the Iran/Iraq war to the decision to end the Gulf War without moving into Baghdad.
Francona has written an extremely readable history. This book belongs on the shelves of historians, collectors, and military history buffs.

For those of us who have spent many years in the Middle East, or Southwest Asia in military geographic terms, it is quickly apparent that LtCol Francona has an insight into the Arab military mind which can only come from mastering the Arabic language, and living among the people. He worked with the Iraqi officer corps for years and developed relationships, moreover friendships, which last to this day. To be selected and assigned as the personal translator for the CinC, General Norman Schwartzkopf says it all. The General was well acquainted with the mindset and customs of the region, having lived in Iran as a youngster, and would demand only the best. Then a Major, Rick Francona served him well and came to know the General in ways different from his subordinate staff. No other book on the Gulf War will reveal the inner workings of the US and Coalition commanders as will 'Ally to Adversary'.

I received all three books in this series this afternoon and just finished reading them. Ludmila Zeman has done a wonderful job in retelling the Epic of Gilgamesh. This series is a great introduction into one of the oldest legends in the world. Children and adults will both loooove to read these books over and over. The artwork is first class and you will find yourself looking through this book just to soak up these beautiful images.
The words Ludmila Zeman used with each one of the pictures is rich but still to the point. So, don't wait any longer and buy buy buy all three! I am an elementary school teacher and I can't wait to share these stories with my students!

I bought this book for son and ended up reading all of Zeman's books to my 12th grade honors History seminar. They enjoyed it tremendously and drew comparisons between Gilgamesh and President Bush in their search for the destruction of the evil Humbaba ....after 9/11 it was appropiate for the circumstances....
The illustrations are rich and the text is ajoy to read to all age groups...we will keep these books for years to come.

This is a fantastic version of the Epic of Gilgamesh -- for children, ages 4 - 12. The illustrations are colorful and very similar to the Sumerian/Babylonian style of art. The recounting is easy for children to follow. I bought it for my 7 year old but my four year old was riveted. There are other more thorough versions around but this is a great one for a beginner. Make sure you buy all 3 books in the series to get the whole epic, the other two being The Revenge of Ishtar and The Last Quest of Gilgamesh.

When I initially purchased this book, I was skeptical that it would be another rant in a long line of far left-wing "America is the new Nazi empire" publications that have overloaded the academic arena during the past few years. While this writing does not go out of its way to justify the invasion on purely moral grounds or glorify America in its entirety, it does a very good job at presenting the facts in a professional manner. It presents the invasion of Iraq as an important piece in the larger puzzle of American foreign policy, both politically and economically vis-a-vis the rest of the world. There are a few occurrences of anti-Americanism in the book, but not enough to completely turn off the reader. The book also presents a nice background of history and it's scary when the reader realizes how America uses and will use other nations to serve its own purposes. The information flows are a bit choppy sometimes, but the quality of the information itself makes up for any anomalies in the presentation format.

Overall, I recommend this book for those who, like myself, have questions and doubts as to any of the real reasons behind the invasion of Iraq and perhaps looking for a glimpse into the economic and political future of the United States.

So as to not make anyone wonder about my political leanings, I consider myself to be a centrist Democrat/Republican (depending on the issue). I'm glad that Saddam is gone; I do believe that he is arguably a Middle-East version of Hitler and that had he been allowed to, would have acquired some form of weapons of mass destruction. Therefore, I think that the war in Iraq is justified for these reasons given the pathology of Saddam and his sons. However, I do not believe that that the American federal government is being completely forthcoming in its plans for a post-Saddam Iraq or the entire Middle East region for that matter.

After reading 4 other books on the recent history of Iraq, I recommoned this book for anyone who is looking for a complete understanding of the economic, and strategic factors involved in the decision to attack Iraq.

The collaborative effort of the Research Unit For Political Economy, Behind The Invasion Of Iraq is a sharply focused and informatively critical look at America's motives for launching the invasion of a Saddam Houssain and Baath Party dominated Iraq. Taking into account Iraq's history and relationship with the West, within the context of modern-day economic crises and strategic agendas for staging an invasion, Behind The Invasion Of Iraq is commended as being a sober, carefully researched and immediately relevant treatise -- especially now that the national debate has moved on to post-invasion reconstruction issues and a growing possibility of collateral invasion of Syria.

Excellent book!!! Haselkorn brings a new dimension to our understanding of the Gulf War. In a nutshell Haselkorn argues that the reason the Coalition did not go "all the way" to Bagdad was due to the Chemical/Biological threat posed by Saddam. This is a fascinating thesis, though Haselkorn, in my opinion places to much weight on some flimsy evidence. Haselkorn argues that when the Iraqis fired a Scud missile at Israel with a concrete block attached instead of a warhead it was intended to warn Israel and the coalition that Saddam was prepared to fire missiles with biological warheads. Haselkorn further argues that the concrete block was intended to be seen as some kind of biological delivery vehicle. Is it not far more likely that in the heat of battle the Iraqis fired a missile with a dummy training round or that due to the pressure of the coalition bombing explosive warheads were not available? There are any number of reason why the Iraqis could have fired a missile with a concrete warhead, I think its a stretch to say that because the Iraqis fired a concrete warhead they were signaling their intenion to escalate to Chemical and Biological weapons. Nonetheless, this is an informative, well researched and well written book; moreover, it forces the reader to take a new look at the more conventional histories of the Gulf War. Good read, worth the money!!!!

Avigdor Haselkorn provides a very serious examination of the weapons of mass destruction available to Iraq during the Gulf War and presents a sobering insight into the dangers that the possession of these weapons by the Iraqi regime presents to it's neighbours and the West today.

A very well-timed book in view of current events.

The book also examines the circumstances surrounding the reasons why the Gulf War was so abruptly terminated. Some arguing that the coalition might have collapsed if any further advances had been made into Iraq, others of the opinion that such allied actions would have forced the use of Iraq weapons of mass destruction. Other opinions leave the matter open to some debate.

Although a military defeat for Iraq, it was a conflict that did not remove the Iraqi dictator's regime from power. We now face the inevitable consequences and the world is in a turmoil as to how to approach the present situation.

The contents of this book are disturbing. The weapons of mass destruction available are examined in some detail together with the effects that the delivery of these weapons could have on the military or the civilian populace. One cannot but remain convinced that this matter is as dangerous and significant now as it was at the time of the Gulf War. Recommended read.

"[This book] is an essential companion to whatever other reading one does on the Gulf War. The Continuing Storm is a highly readable and extremely valuable book for understanding not only the American decision to end the war and the continuation in power of Saddam's regime, but also the impact of weapons of mass destruction in the hands of ruthless regimes and the psychology of 'terrorist deterrence.' Its insights are keen and its scholarship is thorough, as evidenced by more than 900 footnotes, many of them containing multiple citations and informative content. This is not a book just for scholars and experts, however; it is written also for the interested layman."ÿ

A nicely organized book that keeps all the Gods, Demons, and places of Mesopotamia in order. This is a great companion book to just about every other book written about Mesopotamia.

This wonderful book was published in 1992, and reflects up-to-date knowledge of ancient Mesopotamian religion. It covers from prehistoric times (though mostly from the Early Dynastic Period) through to the Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian period, and is organized as a dictionary. Most entries are given a paragraph or two, though more important ones can cover a page or two, and many pictures and illustrations are sprinkled throughout.

This is a wonderful resource for anyone who enjoys reading about ancient Mesopotamia. No part of Mesopotamian religion that I could think of was not covered, and quite a lot that I did not know was covered. The reach of this book is truly breathtaking! I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the religion of ancient Mesopotamia.

Even with considerable data added to the general knowledge of the ancient peoples and
their beliefs in the last 30 years or so, there is still a great deal we don't know and
probably never will. Only a very small fraction of the records of the time still exist, giving
only a tantalizing glimpse at the beliefs of these civilizations; but one thing we do know
for certain: Despite the pronouncements of alternative "historians" like Zacariah Sitchin
and his lunatic followers, the human race was not created by aliens, and the "myths" of
the ancients are not evidence thereof.
Having said that, it is unquestionable that our understanding of the ancient world and
its beliefs -- at least what little we do know of them -- has been spoiled by 2000 years of
Christianity. We understand these "myths" only as filtered through our own myths.
Indeed, these beliefs weren't mere fairy tales, but real, palpable religious beliefs, as real
as the myth of Jesus is to many modern peoples. Unfortunately, the details of these
beliefs, their affect on the daily lives of the ancients, their evolution, etc., can only be
speculated from the scant knowledge we do have.
This book at least helps put those ideas in perspective. Finally, an encyclopedic
reference of the beliefs of the people of the ancient Near East! This is exactly what the
historiophile has been looking for. Succinct, precise entries on the gods, goddesses,
demons, and spirits of these mysterious ancient people, and historical/cultural context,
and all in one handy volume. It provides all the info we do know about their beliefs, while
also trying to fill in the gaping holes of knowledge we don't know. Highly recommended,
particularly in conjunction with the DICTIONARY OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST by
Alan Millard and Piotr Bienkowski.

It is clear from the text that Con Coughlin did his research on Saddam Hussein. If you can imagine a nation run by thugs and Mafia-types you understand what Saddam is all about. Saddam is Hitler without morals. At least Hitler decided NOT to use his chemical weapons. Coughlin details the life of a boy brought up on the knee of his Nazi-loving uncle. What a shock he turned out the way he did.

Very timely information. Many of the questions asked in the media today were answered by Coughlin in this 2002 book. You can't finish this book without thinking President Bush did the right thing going into Iraq. The only thing keeping this from 5 stars is the writing itself. Coughlin skips around, throws a lot of names and history at you, and not always in chronological order. A heavy book, but extremely informative. Anyone who wants to comment on the war with Iraq should read this first.

Con Coughlin has put together an excellent biography on this Iraqi president. Though writing from a pro-western view, he gives a great amount of evidence and support for his claims. The book is an easy read and provides many thought-provoking facts about the history of the region, the upward mobility of Saddam, and the propoganda of the Iraqi government.

Though I wouldn't go so far as to say that this is helpful in the "war/no war" debate, I can certainly recommend immediately for those that want to gain a better understanding of just who this man is, where he comes from, how he rose to power, and how he as stayed in the presidential seat for so long.

After reading this book, I feel I have gained a larger understanding of the conflict in the Middle East, and the responses of the people. In reading this book I have discovered:

1. The massive and relentless propaganda this regime has spread using terrible tactics of threat, fear, and death.

2. Iraq is mainly a division of three groups of people: the Kurds (north), the Shiites (south), and the Sunni (the smallest group in the middle; Saddam's group). Neither those in the North, nor in the South, desire Saddam in power.

3. The ruthless and terrible acts of evil Saddam has committed against his own Iraqi people.

4. The Iraqi economy could have sufficient strength (through its oil industry) to be a nation of culture and sophistication. However, Saddam and his son's continue to squander much of the funds on the military, funding weapons of mass destruction development sites, large and numerous underground shelters, not to mention the cars, women, and overly-lavish palaces.

5. A great foreign relations history is provided that sheds a bit more light on the reasons why some countries may have decided not to support the coalition. France, for instance, is not only the country that sold Saddam his nuclear reactor, but has provided him with ample amount of weaponry. Germany, the country notorious of mustard gas during the World Wars, used such expertise in building facilities for chemical and biological toxin production in Iraq.

What I think is most important to mention is that this book contains a great bibliography. It is important that we be able to examine the evidence for ourselves in order to come to a more objective understanding of such issues. While some of the evidence comes from personal interviews the author conducted with particular Iraqi defectors (remaining anonymous for their protection), the bibliography also contains a great many other credible and accessable works that we can examine and through which, build our own opinions on Iraq.

This book is not a "fun" read it is the detailed biography of a sadomasochistic sociopathic killer who will do anything to gain power and maintain it. Before reading this book, I did not really understand Baathism, or Saddam, or what was really going on. I thought that we wanted the oil, or that George Bush wanted to distract us. After reading this history of one of the most revolting dictators of the last century it is clear he needs to go. Baathism is essentially Naziism. Saddam modeled his tactics on Hitler, Stalin, and Ted Bundy. Saddam is a ruthless sociopathic killer who kills anyone who disagrees with him, argues with him, does a good job and might compete with him, or knows anyone who might cause him a problem. He even kills women who fails to satisfy him sexually. Con Coughlin details his life story and the ruthless pursuit of the obtainment of the Iraq presidency and control of it by Saddam Hussein. This biography is essential to anyone who wants to understand the forces that we face in the next few years. We would be doing the Iraquis a tremendous favour by sending this man to the Hague.

Not a bad read at all... I enjoy a rough & tough action novel, fiction or factual, but this book was excellent, I found myself ingrossed in every turning page, would highly recommend this book along with such titles as 'The operators' & 'Bandit Country'... Keep it real!

Awesome. Imagine trapped 200 miles in Iraq, pursued by the enemy and no place to hide. "Mcnabb" captures the true essence of combat mission accomplishment, even when things don't go as planned. It's written to make the reader feel like he is the 9th member of the team. Highly recommended!

RR

The author has done a great job of capturing the essence of the SAS, one of a few true elite combat units in the world. The fact that he can write the story in the first person adds to the tension. The adventure is a great story and a reality check for those who thought that the electronic age ended the fog of war.

For those tired of a world where self esteem is taught in classes as a substitute for competence and performance this is the perfect cure.

Roux is the rarest of scholars and academes, he is one who can write. Ancient Iraq is extremely erudite and written clearly and lucidly. Reading it and getting involved in the text is not difficult. Ancient Iraq covers the full spectrum of Iraqi ancient history and prehistory, from the Paleolithic through the Neolithic, the Sumerian civilization, and on to the Assyrian and Persian empires. Despite the wide scope of this book, Roux manages to keep the narrative tightly contained and compact, avoiding digressions and wandering. Highly readable, this book deserves to be owned by anyone with an interest in the region. It is poorly illustrated, but this is a relatively minor flaw. This is a true classic of archaeological literature.

I am a lay reader, with very little if any knowledge of ancient history. I stumbled upon this book quite by chance, and am proud to say that I am astounding my friends and acquaintances with all I know about it now.

After years of study, Roux is still clearly in love with his favorite subject, and it makes Ancient Iraq a fascinating and compelling read. I was absolutely stunned by what all the Sumerians, Assyrians, and Babylonians are responsible for when laying the foundations of our present civilization. The chapters on government and law are especially enlightening, when compared to present day domestic and foreign policy.

I learned so much from this book: it is an excellent summarization from what is years and years of study and research. Highly recommended.

No one was more surprised than Georges Roux himself when people worldwide began demanding reprints from his articles in the now-defunct "Iraq Petroleum" magazine. But he shouldn't have been - the literature surrounding ancient Mesopotamia tends either to scholastic obscurity (and textbook expense) or to such a broad scope that oversimplification is necessary just to keep the story within two covers.

Not so Roux's wonderful overview. After his retirement from a leading British pharmaceutical company he found the necessary leisure, and access to Parisian university libraries, to compile this volume of history. The first edition was written in the 60's, the second in the 80's after some remarkable finds greatly expanded the continuity of the original, and the third, this volume, in the early 90's. In this, he states that the English version has actually leapfrogged the original version in his native French.

The book traces the civilizations of ancient Mesopotamia from the Paleolithic period through Sumer and Akkad, the Assyrian empire, Babylon, the glory of the Old Testament period, and to the final takeover by the Hellenistic Greeks. This sweep of history comprising some six-plus millennia cannot, of course, be dealt with comprehensively within the bounds of a single volume; nevertheless, Roux has managed to spotlight the extant periods without losing the story's overall continuity, a considerable achievement.

This is, in this reviewer's opinion, the best single-volume introduction to ancient Mesopotamian history on the market today.