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The Prisoner in His Palace: Saddam Hussein, His American Guards, and What History Leaves Unsaid
The Prisoner in His Palace is an evocative and thought-provoking account of how the lives of twelve young American soldiers deployed to Iraq are upended when they’re asked to guard the most ‘high-value detainee’ of all, the notorious dictator Saddam Hussein. What the self-dubbed ‘Super Twelve’ experience in the autumn of 2006 is cognitive dissonance at its most extreme. Expecting to engage with the enemy ‘outside the wire’, they’re suddenly tasked with guarding and protecting a notorious dictator until he can be hanged. Watching over Saddam in a former palace the soldiers dub ‘The Rock’ and regularly transporting their prisoner to his raucous trial, they gradually begin to question some of their firmest beliefs. Rather than the snarling beast they expect, Saddam proves confoundingly complex – voluble, charming and given to surprising displays of affection. Perhaps most shockingly, in his Spartan stoicism and the courage he shows in facing death he eventually becomes a role model. Employing a timeline that switches between present and past, The Prisoner in His Palace contrasts the man entrusted to the Super Twelve’s care – a grandfatherly figure who proves ‘good company’ – with a younger version of Saddam who is unspeakably ruthless, views murder and torture as legitimate tools and constantly keeps those around him in a blind panic. The magic of this book is that Bardenwerper keeps us on edge even though we know how it will end. We immediately sense that the Super Twelve will be forever changed by their experience, and we wonder if we ourselves will. In this artfully constructed narrative, Saddam, the ‘man without a conscience’, manages to get everyone around him to examine theirs.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published June 6, 2017
154 people are currently reading
4601 people want to read
About the author
Will Bardenwerper
2 books84 followersWill quit his job in finance following the 9/11 attacks in Manhattan and volunteered to serve in the United States Army. He has spent most of the last decade engaged in United States foreign policy, beginning in 2004 as an infantry platoon leader. After completing his Army service, Will worked in the Washington Bureau of The New York Times.
In 2010, Will received a Master's Degree from The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. Upon graduation, he was selected to join the Pentagon in 2010 as a Presidential Management Fellow, where he spent the next four years working on the development and implementation of defense strategy with senior leaders in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Will was an Airborne Ranger qualified infantry officer in the United States Army. He was stationed in Germany and his service included a 13-month deployment to Nineveh and Anbar Provinces, Iraq in 2006-7. While in Iraq, he helped lead his infantry battalion's reconstruction, civil affairs and tribal engagement efforts in the city of Hit. His unit helped contribute to the beginning of what would later become known as the “Anbar Awakening.” Will was awarded a Bronze Star and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
Will is a graduate of Princeton University, where he majored in English. He has had Op Eds and other articles published in the New York Times, Washington Post, Harper's, and Newsweek.
In his free time, Will enjoys tough Crossfit workouts, playing ice hockey, and rooting for the New York Mets and Washington Capitals.
Will lives outside Pittsburgh with his wife and young son and daughter.
In 2010, Will received a Master's Degree from The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. Upon graduation, he was selected to join the Pentagon in 2010 as a Presidential Management Fellow, where he spent the next four years working on the development and implementation of defense strategy with senior leaders in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Will was an Airborne Ranger qualified infantry officer in the United States Army. He was stationed in Germany and his service included a 13-month deployment to Nineveh and Anbar Provinces, Iraq in 2006-7. While in Iraq, he helped lead his infantry battalion's reconstruction, civil affairs and tribal engagement efforts in the city of Hit. His unit helped contribute to the beginning of what would later become known as the “Anbar Awakening.” Will was awarded a Bronze Star and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
Will is a graduate of Princeton University, where he majored in English. He has had Op Eds and other articles published in the New York Times, Washington Post, Harper's, and Newsweek.
In his free time, Will enjoys tough Crossfit workouts, playing ice hockey, and rooting for the New York Mets and Washington Capitals.
Will lives outside Pittsburgh with his wife and young son and daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
June 14, 2017
If ever a book proves that there is not only more to a story than we know, but also that the complexity of human being is unparalleled, this is the book. The Super twelve, the twelve soldiers, from all different backgrounds, who guarded Saddam Hussein up to and through his trial and their experiences doing so are told in a clear and concise manner. We learn some of their backgrounds but much of the book is about their daily interactions with the former ruler of Iraq. Not at all what I nor they expected.
A monster to some of his people, a hero to others, he held on to Iraq for 3 1/2 decades, through numerous plots to unseat him and various plots of assassination, he had many reasons to be paranoid.
Considered a monster by most of the world, this man had a different side that was presented to the soldiers. Maybe because at that point he didn't have much to lose. Technically his trial was a farce, and his sentence a foregone conclusion. Maybe he wasn't all he was made out to be, though of course many of his actions were abhorrent, maybe they had to be for him to keep not only his position but any kind of peace in this waring nation of tribes. Certainly isn't more peaceful without him, more Iraquies are killed now every day than before.
This book makes one think , so many questions, so few answers. He may have lived as a monster but he died as a man.
ARC from publisher.
A monster to some of his people, a hero to others, he held on to Iraq for 3 1/2 decades, through numerous plots to unseat him and various plots of assassination, he had many reasons to be paranoid.
Considered a monster by most of the world, this man had a different side that was presented to the soldiers. Maybe because at that point he didn't have much to lose. Technically his trial was a farce, and his sentence a foregone conclusion. Maybe he wasn't all he was made out to be, though of course many of his actions were abhorrent, maybe they had to be for him to keep not only his position but any kind of peace in this waring nation of tribes. Certainly isn't more peaceful without him, more Iraquies are killed now every day than before.
This book makes one think , so many questions, so few answers. He may have lived as a monster but he died as a man.
ARC from publisher.
June 24, 2017
Is evil something you are? Or is it something you do? —Bret Easton Ellis, American Psycho
In the summer of 2006, twelve United States soldiers (also known as the "Super Twelve) were tasked with guarding former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein as he sat on trial for crimes against humanity. Saddam ruled over Iraq for 35 years and is responsible for the torture and murder of thousands of Iraqis—but that’s not the version of the man the U.S. guards met. They watched over a larger-than-life figure brought down to earth, a man stripped of his power and possessions. To them, Saddam was a man who enjoyed smoking cigars, tending to the weeds in the prison yard, writing poetry, and chatting about cars and family. By the time Saddam was executed, some of the soldiers who guarded him had come to enjoy their time with the old man. He gave them a respect that they didn't get from their own superiors and possessed many qualities they admired. The Prisoner in His Palace, published little over a decade after Saddam's execution, is an engaging glimpse into the surreal assignment of guarding an infamous dictator and the emotional complexity of leading someone you’ve bonded with to their death.
“Any means are justified if they achieve the goals dictated by the interests of power and security.” - Zabiba and the King, a novel by Saddam Hussein
I've been stuck in a reading rut for the past couple of months and this is the first book that broke through the “nothing interests me” barrier! It's about 210 pages of content and I read it within 24 hours, so it's a great choice if you're looking for a fascinating and concise non-fiction book to read. The style is journalistic. Within the pages is a profile of a complex figure who one CIA official called “the most traumatized leader I have ever studied.” This book is not an exhaustive account of Saddam's life, but it covers some events from Saddam's traumatic childhood, his violent rise to power, his reign over Iraq, and his downfall after the United States invasion in 2003. The anecdotes show a man of contradictions. He was proud of his progressive policies, but simultaneously capable of committing barbaric acts against his people. During his trial, maintaining his legacy as an iron-fisted ruler seemed to be more important to him than helping his defense save his life. His personality changed dramatically once he wasn't in front of the camera, from aggressive theatrics in front of the judge to a polite demeanor when handed over to the guards.
“When I’d see the trial going on, and what he’d done to his people,” Rogerson later recalled, “I’d be like ‘Holy shit,’ there’s a shitload of dead people, he just killed an entire city. I’d think, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’ but then I’d see him, and I never looked at him like ‘You’re a psychopath,’ because [that person] wasn’t with me. . . . He was more like a grandpa.”
We are also introduced to some of the men who were charged with guarding Saddam. We learn about the complex dynamics between these diverse personalities living in cramped quarters while working a high-stress job, but the parts about troop life weren't as in-depth as the parts about their actual assignment. The experience of guarding Saddam was a turning point for many of them. Many of these soldiers rushed to join the military after the 9/11 attacks, but began to question their role in the conflict and what they gave up to be a part of it. For some of them, returning home after the war brought on different types of hardship. They had missed out on valuable time with family that could never be recovered. Those who wanted to talk to about their unique mission found no one wanting to listen; few people want to hear the emotional complexities of bonding with a murderous dictator and leading him to his execution. (I've experienced similar uncomfortable reactions when I mention this book to people.) Coming to like someone who has hurt so many people may seem odd at first thought, but it's a very human response. For example: visceral public reaction when a beloved celebrity or community member is accused of a heinous crime, or even Oliver Stone’s opinions after spending time with Vladimir Putin. Perhaps there's some element of it being easier to process what we've directly experienced, rather than events we know about secondhand.
Years later, the man Saddam had tapped to oversee the genocidal operation, Chemical Ali, would tell his FBI interrogators: “There are two faces of Saddam, one who went out of his way to share with those in need and was sometimes reduced to tears when stopping to assist a poor person, and the other a lonesome man with no friends, either inside or outside his family, who didn’t even trust his own sons.” This second “face of evil” was “so cruel you couldn’t imagine.”
There were many aspects of Saddam's personality and incarceration that surprised me. He adjusted easily from a grandiose life to a jail cell. He had nuanced opinions about U.S. leadership, the U.S. Army, and the future of Iraq. He was allowed much more freedom of movement than I would've expected. Some of the guards were eager of his approval—they did their best to grant his requests and make his incarceration comfortable. Saddam returned the favors in kind, even offering to pay for one soldier's college tuition if he ever got access to his money again. Was his kindness to the U.S. guards manipulation or was there an element of finally being able to relax and "be one of the guys"? We can never know for certain. Before you can get too comfortable with the “crotchety old man” version of Saddam, the author transports us to the past and a portrait of a brutal dictator emerges. One of the most disconcerting aspects of this book is how someone who is capable of being a thoughtful person can be capable of terrifying barbarism. I was shocked when a couple of the U.S. soldiers insisted that Saddam would never hurt them, which may speak to how easy it is for men like Saddam draw people into their circle despite all the risks involved. These insights are counterbalanced by tales of how earning Saddam's affections was no inoculation from his cruel whims. The switch could flip terrifyingly quick, even for family members.
Hutch later reflected: “I feel like I have to explain why it bothered me so much; for an American to be upset. But for us to stand by and let them treat another human being that way—I thought that’s what we were over here to stop, the treatment like that. I truly felt that I was just as guilty as anybody else. I’ve never really had a conscience about anything I’ve ever done over here. As far as humanity goes, I’ve seen some pretty bad things, but it’s what I had to do, it’s what was required of me, it was my job. But my job had never before said that I had to stand there and watch people spit on and kick a person’s body. And you know what, I’m glad I feel that way, I really am. Because if I didn’t feel that way, I would think something was wrong with me.”
As Saddam was led to his death, he told the U.S. soldiers that they were “'more family to him' than any Iraqis had been." None of the soldiers ever doubted Saddam's guilt, but even the men who didn't develop a relationship with Saddam were shaken by the events surrounding his execution. One of the members of the "Super Twelve" noted that "it almost would have been easier if Saddam had acted more like the murderous tyrant they’d expected to find." The Prisoner in His Palace is an uncomfortable book to read because it made me feel twinges of empathy that I didn't want/expect to feel and it showed the human side of someone who caused an inordinate amount of pain and suffering. Despite my discomfort, I also found it reassuring that for many people there are elements of our humanity that are difficult to override. I wish it was longer and more in-depth, but it's a fascinating tale and I'm still talking about it weeks later!
For another read about the nature of humanity, you might be interested in Human Acts by Han Kang. One of the men featured in the book wrote his own book about his experiences: Caring for Victor: A U.S. Army Nurse and Saddam Hussein by Robert Ellis.
A few interesting articles I read while reading this book:
'I was shocked': Iraqis remember day Saddam Hussein was hanged
The World; How Many People Has Hussein Killed?
Ten Years After the Fall of Saddam, How Do Iraqis Look Back on the War?
I Grew Up In Iraq During Saddam's Worst Days — Here's What Life Was Like
Judge Remembers Saddam as Intelligent, Charismatic and Remorseless
___________
I received this book for free from Netgalley and Scribner. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. It's available now!
June 27, 2017
I really had no interest in reading a book about Saddam Hussein until I happened upon The Prisoner in His Palace: Saddam Hussein, His American Guards, and What History Leaves Unsaid and I was curious as the book was written from the viewpoint of "The Super 12" and this piqued my interest along with a goodread friend's review.
In 2006, 12 young Soldiers deployed to Iraq and were tasked with guarding Saddam Hussein. Through a series of first hand accounts from the American guards, interrogators and spies who recalled their conversations and observations with the Dictator before he died we learn how these young men viewed and treated their prisoner and how Saddam viewed and treated them in return which I found extremely interesting. These young men's lives would be changed forever as a consequence.
The book is not an account of Saddam's life and yet the author has included adequate background information about his life, family and the heinous crimes he and his sons inflicted during his time in power.
A well researched and a very interesting account of the Prisoner Saddam Hussein and his American guards.
In 2006, 12 young Soldiers deployed to Iraq and were tasked with guarding Saddam Hussein. Through a series of first hand accounts from the American guards, interrogators and spies who recalled their conversations and observations with the Dictator before he died we learn how these young men viewed and treated their prisoner and how Saddam viewed and treated them in return which I found extremely interesting. These young men's lives would be changed forever as a consequence.
The book is not an account of Saddam's life and yet the author has included adequate background information about his life, family and the heinous crimes he and his sons inflicted during his time in power.
A well researched and a very interesting account of the Prisoner Saddam Hussein and his American guards.
November 4, 2019
هدوء صاخب في هذا الكتاب .... صبر السجين على السجان في عقر داره ألم لا يطاق وذل عولج بحكمة ودهاء
يصف الدكتور جيرولد بوست ,مؤسس وحدة التصنيف النفسي في السي آي ايه وصدام حسين بقوله انه (أكثر الزعماء الذين درستهم تعرضا لصدمات نفسية)....كما يقول جف جرين ,أحد الموظفين الذين ساعدوا في الاستجواب :كان يتحكم كليا بنفسه ويناور بصورة دائمة- مناورات مايكرو صغيرة- للحفاظ على سيطرته على الوضع
عندما ستعرض الكتاب تلك الفترة الأليمة التي اختير فيها اثنا عشر شخصا للحراسة الشخصية لصدام والتي ما لبثت أن تكون خدمة شخصية له فقد انقلب السجانون الى خدم يلبون رغباته وينصاعون لهيبته وقد ذكر واحدا منهم لاحقا (لم نستطع ربط وحشية التهم بشخصيته الهانئة القادرة على النوم بتلقائية وسلام كتاب من خلاله سوف يستشف القارئ كيف استطاع صدام أن يختزل سيرته التي أراد من خلال استجوابه وكيف عبث بكل من حوله بالخروج صفر الأيادي من معلومات ونتائج ....كتاب للتاريخ
يصف الدكتور جيرولد بوست ,مؤسس وحدة التصنيف النفسي في السي آي ايه وصدام حسين بقوله انه (أكثر الزعماء الذين درستهم تعرضا لصدمات نفسية)....كما يقول جف جرين ,أحد الموظفين الذين ساعدوا في الاستجواب :كان يتحكم كليا بنفسه ويناور بصورة دائمة- مناورات مايكرو صغيرة- للحفاظ على سيطرته على الوضع
عندما ستعرض الكتاب تلك الفترة الأليمة التي اختير فيها اثنا عشر شخصا للحراسة الشخصية لصدام والتي ما لبثت أن تكون خدمة شخصية له فقد انقلب السجانون الى خدم يلبون رغباته وينصاعون لهيبته وقد ذكر واحدا منهم لاحقا (لم نستطع ربط وحشية التهم بشخصيته الهانئة القادرة على النوم بتلقائية وسلام كتاب من خلاله سوف يستشف القارئ كيف استطاع صدام أن يختزل سيرته التي أراد من خلال استجوابه وكيف عبث بكل من حوله بالخروج صفر الأيادي من معلومات ونتائج ....كتاب للتاريخ
March 3, 2022
گذاشتن این کتاب به عنوان جلد دوم کتاب صدام از طرف نشر ثالث جز اینکه به پر شدن خلایی که کتاب قبلی از زندگی صدام در سالهای بعد از سقوط رژیمش داشت کمک میکنه توجیه چندان دیگهای نداره
کتاب در واقع شرح خاطرات رمانگونه 12 سرباز آمریکاییه که یک سال آخر زندگی صدام از او مراقبت میکردند و با او رابطه دوستانهای هم برقرار کرده بودند
در این بین گریزی هم به حوادث دورههای مختلف زندگی صدام زده میشه
مضمون کاملا ضد جنگ هست به طوری که جاهایی حتی نویسنده با صدام از خودش همدلی نشون میده
از این لحاظ که با زندگی سربازهای آمریکایی آشنا میشیم شاید خوندنش برای آمریکاییها جالبتر باشه اما با این حال برای ما هم خالی از لطف نیست
مخصوصا اگر به سبک خاص نویسنده علاقهمند باشید
کتاب در واقع شرح خاطرات رمانگونه 12 سرباز آمریکاییه که یک سال آخر زندگی صدام از او مراقبت میکردند و با او رابطه دوستانهای هم برقرار کرده بودند
در این بین گریزی هم به حوادث دورههای مختلف زندگی صدام زده میشه
مضمون کاملا ضد جنگ هست به طوری که جاهایی حتی نویسنده با صدام از خودش همدلی نشون میده
از این لحاظ که با زندگی سربازهای آمریکایی آشنا میشیم شاید خوندنش برای آمریکاییها جالبتر باشه اما با این حال برای ما هم خالی از لطف نیست
مخصوصا اگر به سبک خاص نویسنده علاقهمند باشید
September 18, 2017
This is about Saddam Hussein’s last days. It is told through the lens of the Americans who guarded him, doctored him and translated for him.
To his guards he seemed to be like an uncle or a grandfather, anything but the murderer/torturer that he was. He was a model prisoner. His requests were modest. While his quarters, in the basement of one of his own palaces, were substantial by prison standards, it was a far cry from his former life style. He never compared or complained.
This small book punches above its weight. A very human side is seen by his captors who are surprised at his ability to speak English, write poetry and wipe them out at chess. He talks like a loving father, thinking he just might marry again.
This sweet old man image is belied by flashbacks showing him anything but avuncular. There is the treatment of anyone who disagrees; how people have to accept that he can take their land/home and they must comply; a general is brave for telling him he can’t try to take Kuwait again and enumerates how badly the US has Iraq outgunned. He has burned, maybe, 100 of Uday’s cars and arranged for the murder (with unnecessary violence) of two of his sons in law.
There are notes on the legal structure, how lawyers were chosen and scenes of Saddam’s court room behavior as he attempts to turn the trial into a referendum on the US intervention in Iraq. His last day seemed to be more unnerving for his American guards than for him.
This is a short and page turning read. Yes, you know the story, but this telling has depth and is worth your time.
To his guards he seemed to be like an uncle or a grandfather, anything but the murderer/torturer that he was. He was a model prisoner. His requests were modest. While his quarters, in the basement of one of his own palaces, were substantial by prison standards, it was a far cry from his former life style. He never compared or complained.
This small book punches above its weight. A very human side is seen by his captors who are surprised at his ability to speak English, write poetry and wipe them out at chess. He talks like a loving father, thinking he just might marry again.
This sweet old man image is belied by flashbacks showing him anything but avuncular. There is the treatment of anyone who disagrees; how people have to accept that he can take their land/home and they must comply; a general is brave for telling him he can’t try to take Kuwait again and enumerates how badly the US has Iraq outgunned. He has burned, maybe, 100 of Uday’s cars and arranged for the murder (with unnecessary violence) of two of his sons in law.
There are notes on the legal structure, how lawyers were chosen and scenes of Saddam’s court room behavior as he attempts to turn the trial into a referendum on the US intervention in Iraq. His last day seemed to be more unnerving for his American guards than for him.
This is a short and page turning read. Yes, you know the story, but this telling has depth and is worth your time.
December 2, 2018
There was something annoying about this book, a small thing maybe, but something that irritated hell out of me. It seems that this group of a dozen Military Policemen had self-identified with a group name: "The Super Twelve". It really rubbed me the wrong way because I could find no justification for this collective immodesty. You don't give yourself a nickname in the military unless you want to be the subject of ridicule and derision. It's the type of bombast you acquire from watching too many movies or playing too many video games, and is almost uniquely an American phenomenon. I know that MPs perform an important role in the military, but nothing about the job qualifies you as "super". Trouble is, Bardenwerper bought into this and used the odious term every time he referred to them, sometimes as often as three times on a page. I wish I had kept track of the actual astronomical number! Or maybe the overuse was his way of ridiculing these guys for their arrogance; either way, you're sitting on your can reading comic books and bringing tea to a dictator! Super? Hardly!
Having got that out of my system, this was actually a pretty decent read. Bardenwerper competently relates the story of the MP guards who guarded and escorted Saddam Hussein to his kangaroo court and subsequent shameful "execution". He gives some background on the MP who, while they may not be super, are certainly human. They seem like decent soldiers and I was happy to note that they didn't use their authority to maltreat or debase the prisoner a la Abu Ghraib. Hussein, who might just be the worst leader since Stalin, is presented as a complex figure with both good and bad traits. An attempt is made to demonstrate, not justify, the incidents in Hussein's past that led to his ruthless methods of governing.
The book shows how Hussein became something more than a perpetrator to his guards, and how this closeness was a source of distress to them after the disgraceful execution, at which Saddam retained poise and dignity in the face of the dogs who bayed for his blood. It was a disgusting display that Americans should never have justified by their presence. Bardenwerper's Epilogue establishes that the episode may have lasting effects on the psyches of the soldiers involved.
This is an interesting human interest story, just resign yourself to reading the term "Super Twelve" until you go cross-eyed.
Having got that out of my system, this was actually a pretty decent read. Bardenwerper competently relates the story of the MP guards who guarded and escorted Saddam Hussein to his kangaroo court and subsequent shameful "execution". He gives some background on the MP who, while they may not be super, are certainly human. They seem like decent soldiers and I was happy to note that they didn't use their authority to maltreat or debase the prisoner a la Abu Ghraib. Hussein, who might just be the worst leader since Stalin, is presented as a complex figure with both good and bad traits. An attempt is made to demonstrate, not justify, the incidents in Hussein's past that led to his ruthless methods of governing.
The book shows how Hussein became something more than a perpetrator to his guards, and how this closeness was a source of distress to them after the disgraceful execution, at which Saddam retained poise and dignity in the face of the dogs who bayed for his blood. It was a disgusting display that Americans should never have justified by their presence. Bardenwerper's Epilogue establishes that the episode may have lasting effects on the psyches of the soldiers involved.
This is an interesting human interest story, just resign yourself to reading the term "Super Twelve" until you go cross-eyed.
August 3, 2017
I might to write a longer review of this elsewhere, but in short, I found the central revelation of the book, that Saddam's American guards generally liked him, to be unsurprising. We tend not to think of dictators or terrorist leaders to be "charismatic" in the conventional sense, but at the end of the day these are human beings and the qualities that make them leaders are the same ones that apply to corporate CEOs, football quarterbacks and army generals. Saddam Hussein had a personal magnetism that led his guards to want to please him and win his approval. He ruled Iraq for decades and often employed terror and violence to keep things in line, but he was not averse to deploying warmth when required. I suspect that the only reason that this book has been so surprising to many Americans is that they bought into the portrayal of Saddam as a singularly fearsome and demonic figure in the first place. That Saddam sought to project this image to Americans and they bought it so thoroughly only shows how credulous Americans are when it comes to foreign propaganda.
Saddam's guards spent a few months with him, got to know this charismatic old man personally, and then witnessed his execution. Although its a nice story, especially given the world-historical importance of Saddam, I don't find this to be so remarkable. There are few people in the world who can spend so much time together and not develop some sense of mutual understanding and solidarity. That Saddam was a worldly old man while his guards were mostly young and wayward people from isolated parts of America only heightened the dynamic.
In a literary sense, the book was crisply written and I breezed through it very quickly. I found it to be generally worthwhile and a useful addition to the history on this subject, though not as informative as former CIA agent John Nixon's book on his interrogations of Saddam.
Saddam's guards spent a few months with him, got to know this charismatic old man personally, and then witnessed his execution. Although its a nice story, especially given the world-historical importance of Saddam, I don't find this to be so remarkable. There are few people in the world who can spend so much time together and not develop some sense of mutual understanding and solidarity. That Saddam was a worldly old man while his guards were mostly young and wayward people from isolated parts of America only heightened the dynamic.
In a literary sense, the book was crisply written and I breezed through it very quickly. I found it to be generally worthwhile and a useful addition to the history on this subject, though not as informative as former CIA agent John Nixon's book on his interrogations of Saddam.
June 8, 2017
4.5 STARS This book tells the story of twelve young American soldiers in Iraq who are suddenly assigned to guard Saddam Hussein during his trial, and then in months leading up to his execution. Spending so much time in close proximity with him, they eventually would listen as he talked to pass the time. Sometimes just asking simple questions about them, or reading a poem he'd written. The soldiers always kept their duty in mind, to keep their prisoner alive and reasonably happy. Then as time went on, some developed a genuine respect for him and began to like the old man as a person. They kept in mind the things they'd been told or knew that he had done, but just going by the respectful way he was with them, they treated him the same way. He seemed genuinely interested in them as people, always remembering to ask about their families and children, how they were doing, what kinds of things they liked. They developed relationships with him, some quite close that they hadn't at all expected to. It made for a surprising and moving story. Thank you to NetGalley, Scribner, and author Will Bardenwerper for providing me with an ARC in return for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2021
This is the best non-fiction book I've read in at least a year, and looking a my t.b.r. list it will probably be the best I'll read this year. I remember when Saddam Hussein started coming to my attention back in the early 1980's. He was extremely charismatic, and scary as anything I'd ever seen. Reading this book was odd because I didn't expect to find poignant moments, but I did. I enjoyed the stories, the humor, and depths that I wouldn't have thought possible. Most of all, I really didn't like reading about Saddam's last day, or what was done to his dead body afterward. I can see how if you guard someone day in, and day out, then became friendly acquaintances and in a few cases close to that person, how leading them to their death, and bodily desecration could mess a person up. I felt for these guards, Doc, and the interpreter. I even shed a few tears towards the end. As for my feelings about this idiot war that Bush and friends started? Well, a book review isn't the place. I'd recommend this book and author. It shows what a monster Saddam was, but also an almost human side too. Thanks to Scribner and Netgalley for allowing me to read this e-book. Much appreciated.
2017.
2017.
September 14, 2021
https://sarahsdeepdives.blogspot.com/...
Saddam Hussein has interested me a lot recently, mostly because I never really knew much about the guy. He was the Big Bad Guy all the way Over There in my life, but it wasn’t until later, when I was older, that I started really looking into him. Researching what he was all about. It hasn’t been until really, really recently that I’ve started researching some of the absolutely horrible things his government did while he was in power.
I picked up this book mostly because I can’t find a gigantic, overly detailed biography about Saddam Hussein, written recently. Instead, in one of my nonfiction book groups, someone posted about this book and said it was fantastic and I decided to give it a try.
It’s not an overly detailed biography. In fact, I’d hesitate to even call it a biography. And it’s also not long, clocking in at just under 300 pages, it was a seriously fast read, and extremely gripping. Ultimately, this book was a lot different than I expected it to be, and it left me thinking some very deep thoughts about some very uncomfortable topics. I saw someone say this book is about the banality of evil, and perhaps that hits close to the target but I’d hesitate to fully agree with that, either. Instead, this felt a lot like a book about masks. The masks we wear, that obscure the human underneath.
The Prisoner in his Palace tells the story of the twelve American soldiers assigned to guard Saddam while he was kept in one of his palaces during his lengthy trial. It took about a year, which was plenty of time for the relationships between Saddam and his guards to change. Perhaps if Saddam had been angry and dictatorial while in captivity, things would have been different, but he wasn’t. Rather, he appeared to be just another old man, kind and eager to talk. The book speculates that his captivity was probably the first time in his life he’d ever felt safe, and thus his paranoia was at a minimum, so he relaxed.
It’s an awkward book to read in some respects, because while there aren’t a lot of details about some of the things Saddam did, there are enough, and they are horrible. However, Saddam himself, while in captivity, was like the average grandfather that lives down the street. He was kind. He told stories. He played games and joked around. It was hard to square the man the soldiers were confronted with every day for a year, with the man who did all these horrible things while in power. And yet, the evidence is there, and none of them denied his crimes at all, ever. He did these monstrous, horrible things. He absolutely was a criminal. A bad man who has done bad things. Yet he was a really nice guy to those around him while in captivity, often apologizing for outbursts during his trial, asking after their families and children, telling stories about his life while they sat around his space heater at night. He was painfully, uncomfortably flesh and blood.
And perhaps this is where the book hit me the hardest, because it forces the reader to really look at mankind a bit differently. Can nice people do horrible things? Yes, of course they can, but sometimes when we are forced to peel away the mask and see the man underneath, things can get a bit... thorny.
Ultimately, these twelve guards became, if not friends, then friendly with Saddam. They all formed relationships with him in one way or another, and when he died, they all mourned and none of them ever quite recovered from the experience. As one guard says at the end of the book, the dictator deserved to die, but he mourned the man. And that's uncomfortable. It's uncomfortable to realize that's a reality these soldiers had to face and deal with. It's uncomfortable to know that nice men are capable of gassing entire populations and doing horrible things. Evil is supposed to be evil, not nice, and that's what this book forces readers to examine. Maybe it is the banality of evil. Maybe it is about masks we wear, or the complexities inherent in our natures. Whatever it is, it hit me like a sucker punch to my soul.
There is one part in the book where a soldier asks him if it bothers him that there's so much fighting going on in Iraq, and Saddam said, after some thought, "I only ever wanted peace for my people." I can't tell you if that is true or not, or if it was just a line he was throwing out to make his soldiers like him, and I doubt any of them could answer that definitively either. It's hard for me to wrap my head around a man who did such horrible, awful, unimaginable things to so many people, with a man who just wanted peace. Perhaps, in his mind, the end justified the means. Again, this is only speculation, but this book stripped Saddam of his monster persona, and showed me a man. Flawed, horrible, guilty of unimaginable crimes, yes... but a man, regardless.
Ultimately, The Prisoner in His Palace doesn’t attempt to show Saddam as a fantastic person. He is guilty of unimaginable crimes against humanity. His regime was dictatorial and tyrannical. He was an absolute monster who did monstrous things and yet.
And yet.
The human condition is extremely complex, and that is where this book shines. It doesn’t excuse Saddam, but it peels back the mask and shows you a bit of the man underneath. It humanizes a monster, and that’s… uncomfortable.
In fact, I dare say, it is rare that I have read a book that so fundamentally explores the nuances of mankind, and the masks we wear, more powerfully than this one.
“Thought-provoking” might be an understatement. This book flat out haunted me.
Saddam Hussein has interested me a lot recently, mostly because I never really knew much about the guy. He was the Big Bad Guy all the way Over There in my life, but it wasn’t until later, when I was older, that I started really looking into him. Researching what he was all about. It hasn’t been until really, really recently that I’ve started researching some of the absolutely horrible things his government did while he was in power.
I picked up this book mostly because I can’t find a gigantic, overly detailed biography about Saddam Hussein, written recently. Instead, in one of my nonfiction book groups, someone posted about this book and said it was fantastic and I decided to give it a try.
It’s not an overly detailed biography. In fact, I’d hesitate to even call it a biography. And it’s also not long, clocking in at just under 300 pages, it was a seriously fast read, and extremely gripping. Ultimately, this book was a lot different than I expected it to be, and it left me thinking some very deep thoughts about some very uncomfortable topics. I saw someone say this book is about the banality of evil, and perhaps that hits close to the target but I’d hesitate to fully agree with that, either. Instead, this felt a lot like a book about masks. The masks we wear, that obscure the human underneath.
The Prisoner in his Palace tells the story of the twelve American soldiers assigned to guard Saddam while he was kept in one of his palaces during his lengthy trial. It took about a year, which was plenty of time for the relationships between Saddam and his guards to change. Perhaps if Saddam had been angry and dictatorial while in captivity, things would have been different, but he wasn’t. Rather, he appeared to be just another old man, kind and eager to talk. The book speculates that his captivity was probably the first time in his life he’d ever felt safe, and thus his paranoia was at a minimum, so he relaxed.
It’s an awkward book to read in some respects, because while there aren’t a lot of details about some of the things Saddam did, there are enough, and they are horrible. However, Saddam himself, while in captivity, was like the average grandfather that lives down the street. He was kind. He told stories. He played games and joked around. It was hard to square the man the soldiers were confronted with every day for a year, with the man who did all these horrible things while in power. And yet, the evidence is there, and none of them denied his crimes at all, ever. He did these monstrous, horrible things. He absolutely was a criminal. A bad man who has done bad things. Yet he was a really nice guy to those around him while in captivity, often apologizing for outbursts during his trial, asking after their families and children, telling stories about his life while they sat around his space heater at night. He was painfully, uncomfortably flesh and blood.
And perhaps this is where the book hit me the hardest, because it forces the reader to really look at mankind a bit differently. Can nice people do horrible things? Yes, of course they can, but sometimes when we are forced to peel away the mask and see the man underneath, things can get a bit... thorny.
Ultimately, these twelve guards became, if not friends, then friendly with Saddam. They all formed relationships with him in one way or another, and when he died, they all mourned and none of them ever quite recovered from the experience. As one guard says at the end of the book, the dictator deserved to die, but he mourned the man. And that's uncomfortable. It's uncomfortable to realize that's a reality these soldiers had to face and deal with. It's uncomfortable to know that nice men are capable of gassing entire populations and doing horrible things. Evil is supposed to be evil, not nice, and that's what this book forces readers to examine. Maybe it is the banality of evil. Maybe it is about masks we wear, or the complexities inherent in our natures. Whatever it is, it hit me like a sucker punch to my soul.
There is one part in the book where a soldier asks him if it bothers him that there's so much fighting going on in Iraq, and Saddam said, after some thought, "I only ever wanted peace for my people." I can't tell you if that is true or not, or if it was just a line he was throwing out to make his soldiers like him, and I doubt any of them could answer that definitively either. It's hard for me to wrap my head around a man who did such horrible, awful, unimaginable things to so many people, with a man who just wanted peace. Perhaps, in his mind, the end justified the means. Again, this is only speculation, but this book stripped Saddam of his monster persona, and showed me a man. Flawed, horrible, guilty of unimaginable crimes, yes... but a man, regardless.
Ultimately, The Prisoner in His Palace doesn’t attempt to show Saddam as a fantastic person. He is guilty of unimaginable crimes against humanity. His regime was dictatorial and tyrannical. He was an absolute monster who did monstrous things and yet.
And yet.
The human condition is extremely complex, and that is where this book shines. It doesn’t excuse Saddam, but it peels back the mask and shows you a bit of the man underneath. It humanizes a monster, and that’s… uncomfortable.
In fact, I dare say, it is rare that I have read a book that so fundamentally explores the nuances of mankind, and the masks we wear, more powerfully than this one.
“Thought-provoking” might be an understatement. This book flat out haunted me.
February 20, 2017
Incredible storytelling and extremely well-researched. This is one of the best books I've read on the topic of Iraq and, specifically, Saddam Hussein after his capture. It challenged my point-of-view tremendously. I had never really considered those charged with guarding Hussein in the days after his capture and leading up to his death or how that job impacted who they were, their day-to-day life, or their overall humanity. There are a lot of things to learn through their story. This book brilliantly connects. It is a narrative that has been missing in the many books on the war in Iraq.
Disclaimer: I received an advance reader copy of this book and my thoughts and rating are based on that edition.
Disclaimer: I received an advance reader copy of this book and my thoughts and rating are based on that edition.
May 8, 2017
Subtitled, “Saddam Hussein, his American guards and what history leaves unsaid,” this is a sobering portrait of how twelve American’s got the, somewhat unenviable, task of guarding the former dictator. Dubbed the ‘Super Twelve,’ they were banned from keeping a journal, or even writing about their mission with family and friends back home – although they were interviewed for the Army’s oral history programme and some were interviewed by the author. This is a well paced and interesting read, but the author does admit that much of the dialogue used is, obviously, as those involved remember it . As the author says, this is nonfiction, but with ‘storytelling liberties.’
The book begins with Saddam Hussein’s execution on the 30th December, 2006, in Baghdad. The story then backtracks, to tell us the back story of some of the American guards involved, as well as filling in some facts from Saddam Hussein’s childhood and life. Although we get some of his background, arrest and behaviour in captivity, though, this is not a biography. It is clear that Saddam Hussein never expressed any remorse, or regret, for his actions. He did, however, have a need to socialise and was a man of contradictions. He was a man who turned a blind eye to the extreme violence of his eldest son, Uday, yet asked about the children of the men guarding him. He was a man responsible for terrible crimes, yet tended the weeds in the yard and saved crumbs for the birds. He was usually polite and capable of comforting his guards, enjoyed a cigar and was, therefore, not what those guarding him expected. Really, though, this should not be such a surprise. Even those on trial for crimes against humanity, are humans themselves…
Overall, this is a very interesting account of the tensions in this closeted existence and of the American’s attempts to treat Saddam Hussein with respect and make sure he was physically well enough to go to trial. It is also more about these twelve men’s humanity than Saddam Hussein as, almost against their will, they discover it is not easy to play a role in the death of a person you have come to know. As Saddam Hussein was executed, violence erupted – spreading across the country. It was, for these men, a shocking event and this is obvious. However, had they not felt something, it would suggest that their own humanity had been compromised, so they should not have been surprised that they felt something; even though they knew of their prisoners past. An interesting read about the end of a dictator’s life. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
The book begins with Saddam Hussein’s execution on the 30th December, 2006, in Baghdad. The story then backtracks, to tell us the back story of some of the American guards involved, as well as filling in some facts from Saddam Hussein’s childhood and life. Although we get some of his background, arrest and behaviour in captivity, though, this is not a biography. It is clear that Saddam Hussein never expressed any remorse, or regret, for his actions. He did, however, have a need to socialise and was a man of contradictions. He was a man who turned a blind eye to the extreme violence of his eldest son, Uday, yet asked about the children of the men guarding him. He was a man responsible for terrible crimes, yet tended the weeds in the yard and saved crumbs for the birds. He was usually polite and capable of comforting his guards, enjoyed a cigar and was, therefore, not what those guarding him expected. Really, though, this should not be such a surprise. Even those on trial for crimes against humanity, are humans themselves…
Overall, this is a very interesting account of the tensions in this closeted existence and of the American’s attempts to treat Saddam Hussein with respect and make sure he was physically well enough to go to trial. It is also more about these twelve men’s humanity than Saddam Hussein as, almost against their will, they discover it is not easy to play a role in the death of a person you have come to know. As Saddam Hussein was executed, violence erupted – spreading across the country. It was, for these men, a shocking event and this is obvious. However, had they not felt something, it would suggest that their own humanity had been compromised, so they should not have been surprised that they felt something; even though they knew of their prisoners past. An interesting read about the end of a dictator’s life. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
May 11, 2020
This was a great short read. Author Will Bardenwerper put this book together in a splendid way; almost like a screenplay.
It intersplices the main narrative with some historical background, as the book's central story unwinds.
Rifle shooting Saddam is my favorite Saddam:
"The Prisoner in His Palace" details the story of "The Super Twelve": Twelve American soldiers tasked with keeping watch over Hussein during his pre-trial, and trial incarceration.
The trial, which was basically a foregone conclusion:
The soldiers began to interact with "VIC", the "Very Important Criminal". They spent quite a lot of time together and began to develop a respect for him.
The writing here is very good. The book details the many exchanges the Super Twelve had with Saddam, which was super-interesting. You began to get a sense of who he was as a person. He was a dichotomy; he ruled Iraq with an iron fist, but was also empathetic, often writing poetry, and asking about the soldier's wives and children.
The book also details his trial, the events leading up to, and his eventual execution on 30th December, 2006.
A defiant Saddam refuses to put the hood on, and “preserves the last scene”:
This book was exceptionally well-written, edited, formatted, and presented.
I would recommend it to anyone interested.
5 stars.
It intersplices the main narrative with some historical background, as the book's central story unwinds.
Rifle shooting Saddam is my favorite Saddam:
"The Prisoner in His Palace" details the story of "The Super Twelve": Twelve American soldiers tasked with keeping watch over Hussein during his pre-trial, and trial incarceration.
The trial, which was basically a foregone conclusion:
The soldiers began to interact with "VIC", the "Very Important Criminal". They spent quite a lot of time together and began to develop a respect for him.
The writing here is very good. The book details the many exchanges the Super Twelve had with Saddam, which was super-interesting. You began to get a sense of who he was as a person. He was a dichotomy; he ruled Iraq with an iron fist, but was also empathetic, often writing poetry, and asking about the soldier's wives and children.
The book also details his trial, the events leading up to, and his eventual execution on 30th December, 2006.
A defiant Saddam refuses to put the hood on, and “preserves the last scene”:
This book was exceptionally well-written, edited, formatted, and presented.
I would recommend it to anyone interested.
5 stars.
April 10, 2017
“The Prisoner in His Palace, Saddam Hussein, His American Guards, and What History Leaves Unsaid”.
Category – History Publication Date – June 06, 2017.
When reading this book one must remember and keep in mind what kind of a man was Saddam Hussein. One must remember the corruption of his regime, the untold murders committed at this command, and the horrors committed by his sons.
With that said the reader that will be introduced to a man that resembles nothing of Saddam Hussein.
After his capture Saddam was guarded by twelve United States Soldiers. They will tell you how, when they first met him, that they were appalled by the things that he had done. However, after guarding him until his death, they discovered a different person. Saddam was able to change these soldiers attitude of him from one of hatred to one on compassion.
The most telling part of the book is what happened to these soldiers once they left the service for civilian life.
I found this book to be extraordinary in its treatment of a man who committed untold atrocities and faced hanging. I also believe that the author treated a very difficult subject matter with honesty and no prejudice. Although the book shows a different side of Saddam one must never forget who he truly was.
March 12, 2025
Much like the warrior poet Muammar Gaddafi, Saddam Hussein was killed for one simple reason: he got caught rocking too hard.
Knowing too much about dictators or US foreign policy in the Middle East or five things that the CIA has done and fully admitted to will have you catch some seriously weird looks from people-and for good reason. This book doesn't cover this at all-in fact its quite brief and leaves the reader to draw most of their conclusions based on what is given to them.
This book covers the people guarding Saddam during his imprisonment and subsequent trial and their interactions with him. Saddam is stoic, creative, polite, and friendly, a regular old boy. He has come from nothing and is the absolute leader of his country only to be deposed in one of the most blatantly false acts of US foreign policy ever concocted in the history of the country, in large part to the absolute ghoulish oil barons scattered about in the White House during this time. This obviously ignores the horrific acts of violence that occurred on Saddam's watch in his country for decades. Simple facts that enrage and are largely ignored by Saddam during the book.
From what I gather in this book, Saddam is well aware and perhaps even relieved to be no longer in charge of Iraq. I think there is a meta element that Saddam is well aware of that he is being recorded in some form or fashion by his captors and the trial that is being broadcasted across the Arab world. It's hard to discern what kind of front, if any, Saddam is putting on when talking or interaction with people. Regardless, he seemingly charms everyone he interacts with and is stoic to the end.
The author definitely goes easy-ish on Saddam, but gives great freedom for the reader to draw their own conclusions. I think we should put some stock into viewing certain historical figures in a brighter light than what they deserve. The book is short and can be read fairly quickly, names go by and aren't so important. It feels like a revelatory look, but also not substantial enough. Regardless, I had a good time reading it.
One thing the conclusion touches on is the near total disillusionment with the war and government from all of Saddam's guards. They liked him, so much so that some even viewed him as a grandfather. They even cried when he was hanged.
4/5
Knowing too much about dictators or US foreign policy in the Middle East or five things that the CIA has done and fully admitted to will have you catch some seriously weird looks from people-and for good reason. This book doesn't cover this at all-in fact its quite brief and leaves the reader to draw most of their conclusions based on what is given to them.
This book covers the people guarding Saddam during his imprisonment and subsequent trial and their interactions with him. Saddam is stoic, creative, polite, and friendly, a regular old boy. He has come from nothing and is the absolute leader of his country only to be deposed in one of the most blatantly false acts of US foreign policy ever concocted in the history of the country, in large part to the absolute ghoulish oil barons scattered about in the White House during this time. This obviously ignores the horrific acts of violence that occurred on Saddam's watch in his country for decades. Simple facts that enrage and are largely ignored by Saddam during the book.
From what I gather in this book, Saddam is well aware and perhaps even relieved to be no longer in charge of Iraq. I think there is a meta element that Saddam is well aware of that he is being recorded in some form or fashion by his captors and the trial that is being broadcasted across the Arab world. It's hard to discern what kind of front, if any, Saddam is putting on when talking or interaction with people. Regardless, he seemingly charms everyone he interacts with and is stoic to the end.
The author definitely goes easy-ish on Saddam, but gives great freedom for the reader to draw their own conclusions. I think we should put some stock into viewing certain historical figures in a brighter light than what they deserve. The book is short and can be read fairly quickly, names go by and aren't so important. It feels like a revelatory look, but also not substantial enough. Regardless, I had a good time reading it.
One thing the conclusion touches on is the near total disillusionment with the war and government from all of Saddam's guards. They liked him, so much so that some even viewed him as a grandfather. They even cried when he was hanged.
4/5
December 16, 2023
اگر میخواید یه دیوانه جانی، جنایتکار بین المللی و قاتل صدها هزار انسان هموطن و بیگانه با خودش که در 35 سال حکمرانیش سلسله جنایت هایی مرتکب شده که شاید باور کسی نشه رو محبوب کنید و کاری کنید دل خواننده به حالش بسوزه بدید کتاب زندگینامه اش رو یه آمریکایی افراطی بنویسه
برخلاف جلد اول که پر از نکات تازه و جالب بود این کتاب پر بود از نکات بیهوده درباره زندگی شخصی زندانبان های صدام، مثلا شرح تولد دختر یکی از سربازان یا بیماری مادر و برادر یکی دیگه یا ......
نویسنده کارمند سابق پنتاگون بوده و طبیعتا باید با مسائل نظامی و امنیتی آشنا باشه ولی اینقدر فضای کتاب دور از این محور بود که انگار کتاب پاورقی های یه مجله سرگرمی بوده و حالا در قالب کتاب چاپ شده
از طرفی جهت گیری شدید و سوگیری واضح نویسنده آزاردهنده بود طوری که آسیایی ها و عراقی ها مسئول میدونست که چرا زودتر نمیمیرن تا نظامی های آمریکایی به کنسرت فلان خواننده برسن
هیچ حرفی ازینکه به بهانه سلاح های شیمیایی و کشتار جمعی عراق توسط یه مشت آمریکایی اشغال و رئیس جمهور قانونی(هرچند ظالم و آدمکش) اونجا رو دار زدن زده نمیشه
اتفاقا تلاش میکنه از صدام چهره یه پیرمرد مهربون بسازه که حتی خود آمریکایی ها باورشون نمیشه عامل اون جنایات باشه
نویسنده قطعا طرف مردم عراق نیست و ذره ای از شکنجه ها و فشارها و ظلم هایی که به اونها شده متاثر نیست
اتفاقا چون خودش اهل یه کشور جنایتکار تاریخیه همیشه طرف ظالم و آدمکش می ایسته
برخلاف جلد اول که پر از نکات تازه و جالب بود این کتاب پر بود از نکات بیهوده درباره زندگی شخصی زندانبان های صدام، مثلا شرح تولد دختر یکی از سربازان یا بیماری مادر و برادر یکی دیگه یا ......
نویسنده کارمند سابق پنتاگون بوده و طبیعتا باید با مسائل نظامی و امنیتی آشنا باشه ولی اینقدر فضای کتاب دور از این محور بود که انگار کتاب پاورقی های یه مجله سرگرمی بوده و حالا در قالب کتاب چاپ شده
از طرفی جهت گیری شدید و سوگیری واضح نویسنده آزاردهنده بود طوری که آسیایی ها و عراقی ها مسئول میدونست که چرا زودتر نمیمیرن تا نظامی های آمریکایی به کنسرت فلان خواننده برسن
هیچ حرفی ازینکه به بهانه سلاح های شیمیایی و کشتار جمعی عراق توسط یه مشت آمریکایی اشغال و رئیس جمهور قانونی(هرچند ظالم و آدمکش) اونجا رو دار زدن زده نمیشه
اتفاقا تلاش میکنه از صدام چهره یه پیرمرد مهربون بسازه که حتی خود آمریکایی ها باورشون نمیشه عامل اون جنایات باشه
نویسنده قطعا طرف مردم عراق نیست و ذره ای از شکنجه ها و فشارها و ظلم هایی که به اونها شده متاثر نیست
اتفاقا چون خودش اهل یه کشور جنایتکار تاریخیه همیشه طرف ظالم و آدمکش می ایسته
June 27, 2017
Saddam Hussein once said, "The law is anything I write on a piece of paper."
I say, it's a crime for any Hussein historian not to read what Will Bardenwerper wrote in this compilation.
A brilliant, fantastic book for a person like me who is obsessed with all things Saddam Hussein. I loved the varied perspectives of the military guards tasked with overseeing Hussein and others who had different degrees of contact with him. As a ruler the man was a tyrant, as a figure the man is fascinating, and as a prisoner from these first person accounts, the man was humanized in a way I never thought possible.
I say, it's a crime for any Hussein historian not to read what Will Bardenwerper wrote in this compilation.
A brilliant, fantastic book for a person like me who is obsessed with all things Saddam Hussein. I loved the varied perspectives of the military guards tasked with overseeing Hussein and others who had different degrees of contact with him. As a ruler the man was a tyrant, as a figure the man is fascinating, and as a prisoner from these first person accounts, the man was humanized in a way I never thought possible.
January 25, 2025
این کتاب درباره صدام بعد از دستگیری توسط آمریکاییها هست و بخش عمدهش از نگاه ۱۲ سربازی که طی چند ماه آخر زندانبان صدام بودند.
به همین دلیل با صدام مظلوم و مهربان مواجه میشیم و کلا در این مرحله خیلی نگاه همدلانهای به صدام داره.
به همین دلیل با صدام مظلوم و مهربان مواجه میشیم و کلا در این مرحله خیلی نگاه همدلانهای به صدام داره.
February 14, 2018
One of the best books I've ever read.
February 6, 2018
A terrific book and extremely surprising on how Saddam forged close relationships with the 'Super 12' the American MPs deputised to gaurd him during his trial and up to his execution. Just 200 pages long but engrossing and packs a lot in. Before people go all dewy-eyed about an elderly man (he was 69 at the time) gently watering -- like Don Vito Corleone -- his weeds which he treated as flowers in his rec area in one of his former palaces where he was imprisoned in a small quarters and feeding the birds every morning 'they must have eaten on their way here' he opines one morning when they don't arrive for breakfast the author, a former US Army infantry officer and Pentagon employee, interjects those passages with the brutality of the man himself and his regime. He astonishes his guards with an anecdote of how he once punished his sociopathic son Uday by burning 100 of his luxury sports cars and chuckles at the memory. Despite their initial reluctance to get close to him the 'Super 12' -- who mostly joined up on the back of the 9/11 terror attacks -- get drawn to him and sit out smoking cohiba cigars which he has delivered and one of them sets up an office for him as his cell became cluttered with paper and books. He surprises them with a better grasp of English than he was given credit for -- declares himself a fan of westerns and reduces one to fits of laughter when the guard on being asked him what are his roots says he has some Red Indian blood and Saddam raises his hnd to his mouth and the other one above his head as in feathers and hollers -- and makes enquiries of their families, or writes poems for them. They are struck by his theatrical flourishes in court and the mask slipping when he went down with them in the lift, grinning and saying I didn't mean to attack the US soldiers reputation. His dignity and stoicism as he went to his death -- he walks past them down the armoured Rhino bus and shakes their hands -- leaves some of them in tears and the contrast of that with the Shias -- who had suffered appallingly at his regime's hands -- who kicked and spat on his corpse leaves many of them shocked and disgusted. To one of them he gives his Raymond Weil watch. Three observations perhaps the most pertinent one Iraqi source says and this is paraphrasing 'Many people loved Saddam but he was incapable of loving them back' and his remark to the American doctor who formed a close relationship with him as shells and gunfire echo daily round the capital Baghdad 'they'll wish they had me back'..indeed he called the doctor Papa Noel when the latter brought him some hand wipes and guffawed. And on one occasion remarking on how to stop the violence he remarks 'The people are used to being ruled....you wouldn't leave the doors of the bank open'. However, perhaps the best assessment of Saddam is made by the horrific 'Chemical Ali' responsible for the gassing of the Kurds and numeorus other crimes against humanity for which he too hanged. He told his FBI interrogators: "There are two faces of Saddam, one who went out of his way to share with those in need and was sometimes reduced to tears when stopping to assist a poor person, and the other a lonesome man with no friends, either inside or outside the family, who didn't even trust his sons." This second 'face of evil' continued the hardly innocent Ali was 'so cruel you could not imagine.'
June 10, 2017
The near-mythical allure of Saddam Hussein and an enduring interest in the U.S. invasion of Iraq kept me turning the pages through this well-researched book. However, my enjoyment of the book as a work of literature was undermined throughout by stodgy, repetitive writing, choppy pacing, and lack of in-depth characterization. I could barely tell the American military guards apart, despite the fact that the author hammered home the same handful of characteristics for each one of them throughout the book. I guarantee I'll never forget that Saddam's translator was Lebanese-American, for example, because Bardenwerper makes sure to remind you each time he crosses the page, but I couldn't tell you anything else about him. The best parts were the anecdotes about Saddam, an endlessly fascinating figure who the author more or less manages to humanize. However, I think perhaps the greatest drawback to this book is its failure to manage the reader's expectations properly. The publishers did this book a disservice by comparing it, in the back cover blurb, to the literary masterpiece that is In Cold Blood. An interesting story, for sure, but a masterpiece it ain't.
September 17, 2017
Originally published at Reading Reality
Today is September 11, 2017, the 16th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, otherwise known as 9/11. As though nothing else ever happened, or ever will, that will ring through history the way that September 11, 2001 did. And that’s possibly true. Even the historic hurricane currently sweeping through Florida, while momentous, isn’t quite as earth-shattering. 9/11 was a day where the universe changed, where before and after are sharply and irrevocably separated.
While Saddam Hussein was not one of the architects of the 9/11 attacks, it is certainly possible to trace a direct line from the events of 9/11 to the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 that toppled his dictatorship.
This is not a book about the war. Not the U.S. invasion of 2003, nor about the the Gulf War of 1990. Although in some ways it’s about both. A part of me wants to say that the book is about the “banality of evil”, but if there is one thing that Saddam Hussein never was, it is banal.
Instead, this feels like a book about the faces that humans wear, and about one particular human being who wore the face of evil, but only among many, many others. That evil face, the one that the world righteously condemned him for, is not the face that his guards saw. They saw a charismatic and kindly old man. While they were all aware of the evil that he had done, and none ever believed that he was innocent or should be freed, they still guarded someone who was much different. They all went in expecting a monster, only to discover that he was just a man.
The story here is about the twelve young American soldiers, the group that self-deprecatingly named themselves the “Super Twelve”, who had the duty of guarding Saddam Hussein in one of his own palaces during the lengthy course of his trial, right up to his inevitable execution.
The process took well over a year. That’s plenty of time for a group of people to gradually shift from guarded adversaries to respectful acquaintances, if not friends. And that is what happened. Unlike the common perception of “the rich and powerful”, which Saddam certainly was, in his incarceration and forced proximity to these soldiers he acted as a respectful and respected guest, and was treated for the most part accordingly. What small freedoms and little comforts could be provided to the old man, they did. And he appreciated them.
This book is about the relationship that formed among this isolated group. The Super Twelve, the medic who monitored Saddam’s health, the interrogators, and Saddam Hussein. Their camaderie with the prisoner seems odd to the reader, but yet it makes sense. Not only were they all stuck with each other, but they were prohibited from telling anyone what their duty assignment was. The only people they could talk to were each other.
And their prisoner.
Reality Rating A-: This is a hard book to describe, but a surprisingly easy one to get lost in. There are a lot of things packed into this slim volume, and all of them are thought-provoking in one way or another.
It is not really a surprise that the guards became friendly with the prisoner. Or not as the story turned out. If Saddam had been a demanding dictator within the limits of his confinement, the guards would probably have maintained their distance even over the extended time period. But that’s not what happened. Instead, he treated his guards with respect and even affection, and both the respect and affection were returned. They all knew what he’d done, but it didn’t have an effect on his treatment of them or theirs of him.
Instead, many of the guards felt as if this was the first time in Saddam’s life when he was safe. Ironically so, but still, safe. Whether or not he deceived himself about the inevitability of his execution, he was absolutely certain that none of his guards were going to kill him in his sleep – something that had not been true for his entire life. That lack of paranoia led to a lot better rest and attitude – possibly for everyone.
The author does detail enough of Saddam’s atrocities, and there were many, to make the reader certain that the man was the author of countless heinous acts. Even though he may not have seen them as anything more than necessary to cement and maintain his power, there is never any doubt that he was a brutal dictator who used fear and cruelty as potent and effective weapons.
Which does not affect the doubts of any of the soldiers, or of the reader. Not that he deserved death, but, to quote another influential character, “Deserves [death], I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.”
Even as the trial is being conducted, the sectarian violence in Iraq not only continues, but escalates. Even from the soldiers’ limited perspective, there does not seem to have been a plan for what was to happen after Saddam’s capture. And the manner of his execution only feeds the violence. One of the questions that lingers is whether or not the invasion made anything better. War is easy. Hell, but easy. Regime change, on the other hand, while it is also hell, is damn hard. Especially on the people whose regime is being changed.
What we’re left with is the aftermath, not just for the country of Iraq, but on a personal level for those men who guarded and lived with Saddam Hussein in his final months. Watching a man that they had all developed relationships with go to his death punched an unexpected hole in all their lives. Being forced to stand by while his corpse was desecrated made them all sick and heartsore.
Saddam may have died, but none of them recovered. And their reaction haunts me.
Today is September 11, 2017, the 16th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, otherwise known as 9/11. As though nothing else ever happened, or ever will, that will ring through history the way that September 11, 2001 did. And that’s possibly true. Even the historic hurricane currently sweeping through Florida, while momentous, isn’t quite as earth-shattering. 9/11 was a day where the universe changed, where before and after are sharply and irrevocably separated.
While Saddam Hussein was not one of the architects of the 9/11 attacks, it is certainly possible to trace a direct line from the events of 9/11 to the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 that toppled his dictatorship.
This is not a book about the war. Not the U.S. invasion of 2003, nor about the the Gulf War of 1990. Although in some ways it’s about both. A part of me wants to say that the book is about the “banality of evil”, but if there is one thing that Saddam Hussein never was, it is banal.
Instead, this feels like a book about the faces that humans wear, and about one particular human being who wore the face of evil, but only among many, many others. That evil face, the one that the world righteously condemned him for, is not the face that his guards saw. They saw a charismatic and kindly old man. While they were all aware of the evil that he had done, and none ever believed that he was innocent or should be freed, they still guarded someone who was much different. They all went in expecting a monster, only to discover that he was just a man.
The story here is about the twelve young American soldiers, the group that self-deprecatingly named themselves the “Super Twelve”, who had the duty of guarding Saddam Hussein in one of his own palaces during the lengthy course of his trial, right up to his inevitable execution.
The process took well over a year. That’s plenty of time for a group of people to gradually shift from guarded adversaries to respectful acquaintances, if not friends. And that is what happened. Unlike the common perception of “the rich and powerful”, which Saddam certainly was, in his incarceration and forced proximity to these soldiers he acted as a respectful and respected guest, and was treated for the most part accordingly. What small freedoms and little comforts could be provided to the old man, they did. And he appreciated them.
This book is about the relationship that formed among this isolated group. The Super Twelve, the medic who monitored Saddam’s health, the interrogators, and Saddam Hussein. Their camaderie with the prisoner seems odd to the reader, but yet it makes sense. Not only were they all stuck with each other, but they were prohibited from telling anyone what their duty assignment was. The only people they could talk to were each other.
And their prisoner.
Reality Rating A-: This is a hard book to describe, but a surprisingly easy one to get lost in. There are a lot of things packed into this slim volume, and all of them are thought-provoking in one way or another.
It is not really a surprise that the guards became friendly with the prisoner. Or not as the story turned out. If Saddam had been a demanding dictator within the limits of his confinement, the guards would probably have maintained their distance even over the extended time period. But that’s not what happened. Instead, he treated his guards with respect and even affection, and both the respect and affection were returned. They all knew what he’d done, but it didn’t have an effect on his treatment of them or theirs of him.
Instead, many of the guards felt as if this was the first time in Saddam’s life when he was safe. Ironically so, but still, safe. Whether or not he deceived himself about the inevitability of his execution, he was absolutely certain that none of his guards were going to kill him in his sleep – something that had not been true for his entire life. That lack of paranoia led to a lot better rest and attitude – possibly for everyone.
The author does detail enough of Saddam’s atrocities, and there were many, to make the reader certain that the man was the author of countless heinous acts. Even though he may not have seen them as anything more than necessary to cement and maintain his power, there is never any doubt that he was a brutal dictator who used fear and cruelty as potent and effective weapons.
Which does not affect the doubts of any of the soldiers, or of the reader. Not that he deserved death, but, to quote another influential character, “Deserves [death], I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.”
Even as the trial is being conducted, the sectarian violence in Iraq not only continues, but escalates. Even from the soldiers’ limited perspective, there does not seem to have been a plan for what was to happen after Saddam’s capture. And the manner of his execution only feeds the violence. One of the questions that lingers is whether or not the invasion made anything better. War is easy. Hell, but easy. Regime change, on the other hand, while it is also hell, is damn hard. Especially on the people whose regime is being changed.
What we’re left with is the aftermath, not just for the country of Iraq, but on a personal level for those men who guarded and lived with Saddam Hussein in his final months. Watching a man that they had all developed relationships with go to his death punched an unexpected hole in all their lives. Being forced to stand by while his corpse was desecrated made them all sick and heartsore.
Saddam may have died, but none of them recovered. And their reaction haunts me.
June 6, 2020
I loved the contrast b/w this book and the other one written by John Nixon.
December 2, 2024
3.5 stars
July 12, 2018
Saddam Hussein was, without a doubt, a monster. But even monsters can be charming, kind, thoughtful and introspective. But this is not just the story of Saddam's final days, but of the 12 men who guarded him, took care of him and what they learned.
This book poses many old questions: "Is evil born or is it created?", "Can we find humanity in the worst among us?" and more. But what makes the book stand out is the author's ability to blend these and other questions with masterful storytelling. The book tells a complex and nuanced story, but stays easily readable for a varied audience.
This book poses many old questions: "Is evil born or is it created?", "Can we find humanity in the worst among us?" and more. But what makes the book stand out is the author's ability to blend these and other questions with masterful storytelling. The book tells a complex and nuanced story, but stays easily readable for a varied audience.
June 1, 2025
a really thought provoking read about the complexities of human nature and the nature of evil in man. the book does not shy away from the atrocities that were committed at the hand of saddam hussein, but is also very honest about the dignity, respect, and care he showed to the american mps who were guarding him. it is easy to caricaturize people like saddam hussein as almost moustache-twisting, maniacally-laughing villains, but this book offers a good lesson on the complexities of man through the lens of one of the most notorious dictators of the last century.
reading this book was a constant cycle of being lulled into liking saddam hussein, followed by a disturbing narrative of the evil he committed. in this way, the author allows you to experience the complexity of the man alongside the american soldiers. i am still working through the question of if truly all people are worthy of dignity and respect, even if they repeatedly commit gross acts of wickedness. my answer before reading this would have been a resounding "no", but now i am not so sure.
reading this book was a constant cycle of being lulled into liking saddam hussein, followed by a disturbing narrative of the evil he committed. in this way, the author allows you to experience the complexity of the man alongside the american soldiers. i am still working through the question of if truly all people are worthy of dignity and respect, even if they repeatedly commit gross acts of wickedness. my answer before reading this would have been a resounding "no", but now i am not so sure.
July 18, 2020
يقدم هذا الكتاب صورة عن قرب للأيام الأخيره لصدام حسين منذ تم القبض عليه وصولاً للحظة اعدامه من زاوية الحراس الاثني عشر الامريكان او ما اطلق عليهم (السوبر 12)، صدام حاكم العراق المطلق ال1ي حكم بلاده العزيزة بالحديد والنار وساق مئات الالاف للموت سواء عبر حروبه العبثية او في أقبية سجونه الكثيرة.
الغريب ان رواية حراسه تقدم صورة مختلفه تماماً لشخصية صدام فهنا هو شخص هادئ ودمث، استطاع ان يكسب مودة وتقدير حراسه الأمريكان بل وينشا معهم علاقة انسانية جيدة!! حتي انهم حياتهم اختلفت تماماً بعد الفترة التي قضوها حراس لزنزانته.
الرجل الذي قضي ثلاثون عاماً يبيع بضاعة عداؤة للغرب ولأمريكا وللجيش الذي حطم بلده وأزاحه من عرش العراق يقضي الاماسي فى زنزانته متودداً الي حراسه الامريكان ومهتماً بعائلاتهم بل يعطي احدهم ساعته كهدية قبل أعدامه!!في مشهد عبثي لهذا الطاغية الكبير وتزداد العبثية بحزن هؤلاء الحراس عند اعدامه وتأثرهم بطريقته وهو يُساق الي المشنقة هادئاً شامخاً لا يهاب الموت.
الغريب ان رواية حراسه تقدم صورة مختلفه تماماً لشخصية صدام فهنا هو شخص هادئ ودمث، استطاع ان يكسب مودة وتقدير حراسه الأمريكان بل وينشا معهم علاقة انسانية جيدة!! حتي انهم حياتهم اختلفت تماماً بعد الفترة التي قضوها حراس لزنزانته.
الرجل الذي قضي ثلاثون عاماً يبيع بضاعة عداؤة للغرب ولأمريكا وللجيش الذي حطم بلده وأزاحه من عرش العراق يقضي الاماسي فى زنزانته متودداً الي حراسه الامريكان ومهتماً بعائلاتهم بل يعطي احدهم ساعته كهدية قبل أعدامه!!في مشهد عبثي لهذا الطاغية الكبير وتزداد العبثية بحزن هؤلاء الحراس عند اعدامه وتأثرهم بطريقته وهو يُساق الي المشنقة هادئاً شامخاً لا يهاب الموت.
April 14, 2017
Viewed by most of mankind as a depraved, despotic dictator, Saddam Hussein, a master manipulator, manages to confound the twelve American soldiers sent in secrecy to guard him during his captivity and his final days on earth. Will Bardenwerper tackles the difficult topic of a terror-inducing Hussein in The Prisoner in His Palace, a narrative likely to wreak havoc on your senses by questioning the man himself, the myth and his eventual demise. An incredibly intense read, I was horrified to find myself in tears over Hussein’s last moments with his Super Twelve, something I would never have expected for this monster.
April 19, 2017
I have to start by saying this book irritated me. Mostly because it try's to make Saddam Hussein into some kind of caring family man and almost vindicates some of his atrocious acts.
Its the story of 12 guards who had the unfortunate job of watching and guarding Saddam leading up to his trial for war crimes after being captured.
The book did not evolve the guards personality enough or Saddam and all I kept thinking was this man is a manipulative moron - while the book would tell you how charismatic he was towards the guards etc and seemed to skip out a lot of his actual crimes and story. 200 pages just wasn't enough and so made it vague throughout.
Its the story of 12 guards who had the unfortunate job of watching and guarding Saddam leading up to his trial for war crimes after being captured.
The book did not evolve the guards personality enough or Saddam and all I kept thinking was this man is a manipulative moron - while the book would tell you how charismatic he was towards the guards etc and seemed to skip out a lot of his actual crimes and story. 200 pages just wasn't enough and so made it vague throughout.
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