The Vicar of Baghdad: Fighting for Peace in the Middle East

by Andrew White

As the vicar of St. George's Church in Baghdad, the only Episcopalian church in Iraq, Canon Andrew White has worked with those at the highest levels of authority in Iraq, for both Westerners and Iraqis. Now, as political and military solutions continue to fail, Andrew offers a different approach to making peace in the Middle East-speaking as a man of faith to men of faith. In The Vicar of Baghdad he tells the story of his work to create peace through God.

Genres: Biography, Memoir, Politics, Nonfiction, Christian

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2009

About the author

The Reverend Canon Andrew White is often known as the Vicar of Baghdad due to his post at St. George's Church there from 2005-2014. White has worked to mediate between conflicting parties in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East, and to draw attention to the plight of persecuted people.
He is an experienced hostage negotiator.
He was CEO of the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East (FRRME) from 2005 to 2016.

Reviews

[Malcolm]

Incredibly disappointing. This guy is so immersed in the middle east and working for peace/reconciliation (and all credit to him for that) that his account of his work just comes across as a mass of details and names and is incredibly confusing. Shame

[Joe Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super interesting!

[Joel David Bond · Rating 2 out of 5]

Canon Andrew White's 'The Vicar of Baghdad' draws you in with its title and cover photo of a mosque and cyclone-fencing fronted by a violent explosion. However, what promises to be an intense read filled with vignettes of unbelievable events falls short of being a page-turner.

Clearly, White has rubbed elbows with some of the most powerful people in the region, and his insistence on productive inter-faith dialogue is laudable. He has found himself in the company of some of Saddam's former aides, various militaristic clerics, and a handful of intransigent politicians. His work in promoting peace among the higher echelons of power in the Middle East is to be commended.

The writing, however, tends to 'tell' more than 'show' the work he has accomplished, and thrills at about the level of Sunday homily. At various points almost strikes a dismissive tone towards other peace-making efforts in the region, suggesting that peace is best accomplished only from the top-down with people in power, and ineffective in grassroots movement form.

Overall, White's real-life peacemaking work merits praise and accolades, but his delivery in the written word misses an opportunity to captivate the reader's imagination.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book only really comes alive when he is talking about St. Georges church. What has happened there is amazing and the writing is warm, with lots of personal detail. In the rest of the book there are too many things that cannot be spoken about because it would put people in danger if it were. It becomes a rather dry lists of people, meetings and journeys. The danger of the work is always present, and there is no doubting its importance to the future of the country. From the readers perspective there are some lovely word pictures. A group of Muslims from different traditions in a bus singing - but it is what is sung that is important. At times like that you get a real feel for the atmosphere.

Worth a read, but stick with it' the later chapters are better than the early ones.

[Carol Bakker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was intrigued by an extended interview with Andrew White by Eric Metaxus. White's direct approach, seeming disregard of his serious medical condition, his passion for peace mixed altogether--talk about winsome.

I was eager to read this book and discover more about this fascinating man. And the words bounced off me. Name after name after name of dignitaries with whom he has negotiated. More names for which my brain had no context.

I admire the man. I wanted to like this book. But I could not gain purchase with it. When I reached the final page, I was relieved. God bless the efforts of the Vicar of Baghdad.

[Sally Matthewson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made me think and some of his observations challenged my naive assumptions ie that Sadaam Hussein did in fact have chemical weapons they were simply moved before inspections. Andrew White is a brave man trying to get all factions talking and helping to release hostages as well as being a Priest. He is no longer able to be permanently in Baghdad as the situation has worsened since this book was written it is interesting to read a book by someone who was there and has a burning desire to see peace in the Middle East.

[JZ Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Vicar of Baghdad follows the lifelong spiritual journey of Vicar Andrew, set against the backdrop of war-torn regions in the Middle East. It is, at times, a difficult read—written almost like a diary, which can affect its cohesion—but this rawness adds to its authenticity.
The book does not shy away from tragedy: the loss of life, moments of despair, and the stark reality of human violence. At times, I felt as though I were in Mosul myself, with the fear of death quietly creeping in. It is both unsettling and deeply immersive.
Reading it pushed me to explore more about the conflicts in the Middle East—terrorism, religious tensions, and the devastating consequences of misinterpretation. It is a powerful reminder of how destructive these forces can be.
Despite its heaviness, the book is also filled with resilience, faith, and compassion. I found it both challenging and humbling. There is something profoundly ironic about reading such accounts of suffering while sitting comfortably with a coffee, far removed from that reality.
Above all, I was inspired by Andrew’s unwavering faith and his commitment to peace through interfaith dialogue. His work reflects a rare combination of zeal, patience, and love.
This is not an easy book to read—but it is an important one

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another 2023 book finished, I definitely get distracted.

The Vicar of Baghdad tells the story of Canon Andrew White who found himself in Iraq. Not just as a Vicar in the heart of the war but playing an important role in attempting to heal the countries fractures, bringing together other religious leader, politicians along with other key bodies.

The way the book is written it often feels heavy on the name dropping, and a little big headed. But with that in mind it could also just be reflective of all his work, efforts and achievements.

I loved how Andrew’s story reflects his faith, there is no point where this sounded conflicted, even being surrounded with so much grief and conflict.
It’s an interesting perspective of the Iraq war and definitely worth reading. As well as being an account of his story it also puts the importance of interfaith relations and the significance of religion in political negotiations too.

[LMS · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of names and places, and the writing style is much more like a report than anything else. But it picked up around the middle as he began to talk about his work during the invasion of Iraq and the terrible situation in Baghdad. His love for his congregation and how they’ve grown to 1k+ people was very touching. An inspiring account of ecumenical peacemaking.

[Barnabas Rex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief overview with a story or two that give insight to his life.

[John Hayward · Rating 2 out of 5]

Other Andrew White books may be better, but "The Vicar of Baghdad" raised more Qs than it answered+often lacks proper historical context.

[S C · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
There were some beautiful descriptions of his faith, and he clearly loves Iraq, but otherwise it felt like lots of names and not much substance, which was disappointing.
I was perhaps influenced by having discovered halfway through the book that he has been banned from holding office in a charity due to financial irregularities - also disappointing, but not surprising based on how he discusses money in this book.

[Tim Caird · Rating 5 out of 5]

A humbling reminder of how much I didn't know about life in the East, life in Iraq and the challenges Canon Andrew White faces on a daily basis. Also a humbling reminder of God's faithfulness, his love, his heart for peace and reconciliation and the power of love as his defining attribute is.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. I'm very thankful for Andrew White & his heart for the Middle East. This book testifies to how Andrew has selflessly helped bring together different leaders for LOVE and PEACE. Andrew shares so many stories & his faith in GOD is strong! Many people have been involved & I was glad to read all their names. It's kind of like reading the genealogies in the Bible! I'm thankful to get to, to be able to read & learn about this great work.

[Jason Blean · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know when reading this that Andrew's stories could fill an encyclopaedia. Truly remarkable, heart-wrenching and inspiring testimony of a life lived fully out on a limb for G-d. You could not write this. Proof that G-d is still working, miraculously behind the harrowing headlines of the Middle East.

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was good to read how Andrew has helped facilitate the bringing together of different religious leaders so that they can come to an agreement on what is NOT acceptable to any of them. Enlightening read, but I didn't find it particularly stirring.

[Dmcconkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent personal story of Bro Andrew calling and ministry in the Middle East. Gives good insight to what is going on and the complexity of trying to find peace. He is a unique man of the Lord.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book: love, reconciliation and building bridges in the Middle East.

[Emmablount · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly inspiring man and a good insight into the Iraq situation.