Battle for the City of the Dead: In the Shadow of the Golden Dome, Najaf, August 2004

by R.D. Camp

In the spring and summer of 2004, Iraq was coming apart at the seams. Sectarian violence pitted Shiite against Sunni. American proconsul L. Paul Bremer had disbanded the Iraqi Army, placing disgruntled young men on the street without jobs or the prospect of getting one. Their anger developed into a full-blown insurgency fed by a relentless campaign by the clergy for jihad against the “occupation force.” In August, a Shiite cleric named Muqtada Al-Sadr called upon his thousands of armed followers, the Mahdi Militia, to resist the occupation. Fighting broke out in several locations, including the holy city of Najaf, the site of the largest Moslem cemetery in the world, and the Imam Ali Mosque. The U.S. forces fought in 120-degree heat through a tangle of crypts, mausoleums, and crumbling graves. The fight was brutal, pitting religious zealots against the highly motivated and disciplined U.S. Army and Marine Corps troops. It makes for a riveting account of Americans in battle.

Genres: Military Fiction, Nonfiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Colonel Richard D. "Dick" Camp Jr., a Purple Heart recipient, served 26 years in the U.S. Marine Corps before retiring in 1988. Upon retirement he served as the Deputy Director, U.S. Marine Corps History Division (he was Acting Director for most of 2006) and as the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, Vice President for Museum Operations at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico, Virginia. Currently residing in Fredericksburg, Virginia, he is the author of ten books and over 100 magazine articles on various military related subjects.

Reviews

[Jimmie Kepler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The year was 2004. During the spring and summer the Iraqi nation was overwhelmed with violence. The nation's Shiites and Sunnis headlined the sectarian fighting. The Army of Iraq had been disbanded by the United States Proconsul. The results of his actions were infusing a large number of angry young men into the streets of the population centers in Iraq. These men had no jobs skills, no jobs, and no prospects for employment. These men were literally angry in the streets. The clergy fueled their anger which developed into a rage and campaign for jihad against the United States and all "occupation forces".

By August 2004, Muqtada Al-Sadr, a Shiite cleric, called upon thousands of Mahdi Militia, his armed followers and de facto private army, to resist the occupation. Fighting would break out in several locations. The holy city of Najaf, the site of the largest Moslem cemetery in the world, and the Imam Ali Mosque were major sites of fighting. U.S. forces found themselves fighting in 120-degree heat. The battleground was through a tangle of crypts, mausoleums, and crumbling graves. The fight was rough. It had the religious zealots against the motivated and disciplined United States Army and Marine Corps troopers. It makes for a spellbinding account of Americans in battle.

The book itself is excellent. Dick Camp tells an excellent story. The quality of the book is remarkable. I am referring to everything from the writing, the large amount of high quality color pictures, and even quality of the paper the book on which the book is printed.

[Wurmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as he did in his previous book, Operation Phantom Fury, Camp has honored America's fighting Marines and soldiers with this detailed, gripping combat account. Camp is no stranger to research, and it shows in the depth of his coverage of one of the fiercest battles of the Iraq War. He also wisely uses first-hand accounts from the enlisted men and officers to tell the story in a "you are there" fashion -- a perspective that is always intriguing to me. Throw in the dozens of color photos throughout, and you have one hell of a read for true military history enthusiasts.

[Dave Beeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walk through the Wadi al-Salaam Cemetery with the Marines of 1st Battalion, 4th Marines as the clear the Mahdi Army tomb by tomb. Then follow the reinforcing battalions of the 1st Cavalry Division as they go back into the cemetery and through the streets of the city of Najaf destroying everything in their path. Be there when the commanders fight with the "desk jockies" back in Bagdad over the rules of engagement surrounding the Iman Ali Mosque. Melt under the 120 degree heat. The author puts you on the battlefield!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book on the month-long battle. Interviews with the soldiers that took part, as well as reports from the Mahdi Militia people as well. Puts you right in the thick of things.