Iraq: From Sumer to Post-Saddam

by Geoff L. Simons, Tony Benn (Foreword)

Newly reissued and updated to engage with Iraq's current, central role in world affairs, Geoff Simons' seminal book presents a broad history of Iraq, from the earliest times to the emergence of modern Iraq in the Twentieth-century, the power struggles that led to the rise of Saddam Hussein, the Iran-Iraq war, the 1990-91 Gulf war, and the continuing depiction of Iraq as a 'rogue' nation. Such crucial factors as the West's historical influence in the Middle East, the prolonged Western support for Saddam Hussein and the US manipulation of the United Nations are profiled. This book encourages a deeper understanding and a deeper ethical examination of the 'Iraq question'.

Genres: History, Middle East

480 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1993

About the author

Geoffrey Leslie Simons was a British freelance writer. In the 1980s, he was chief editor at the National Computing Centre in Manchester. A prolific author of non-fiction, he wrote books about sex, computers and politics, particularly the history of the Middle East. [wikipedia]

Reviews

[Michael Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent discussion of Western influence in Iraq, but gives little insight into the history that initiated the problems that made Iraq a difficult country to manage. The ancient history of the country details bloodshed and chaos as well as enlightenment and knowledge. The country went from the crown jewel of ancient times through a period of chaos and emerged as a country separated by religion, ethnic groups, and political division. It is the lack of knowledge on the country's historical foundation that made the US military venture into the country a forlorn hope.

[Joseph Tepperman]

not so unbiased, this one. paints the victims for us a little too colorfully. but a good overview.