The British Library is publishing the diary of the Saad Eskander, the head of Iraq's National Library and Archive. It is worth a read for a glimpse of the country's descent into anarchy. Libraries are by reputation quiet places. Not so the National Library in Baghdad.
“gripping ... a colorful slice of the past affecting the present” - Chicago Tribune
“Barr tells a ... fascinating tale and turns history into a drama, with bright writing and a fascinating cast of characters" - Seattle Post-Intelligencer
“A good read which does much to explain the events you are reading about elsewhere in the paper today” - Washington Times
“no dry tale ... sets history of the Middle East into illuminating perspective” - San Jose Mercury News
“an up-close view of a decisive moment ... exciting and instructive” - Houston Chronicle
“a considerable feat” - The Times
“puts Lawrence centre stage but does not lose sight of the uprising’s larger historical context” - Financial Times
“Expertly delving into this shadowy corner of history, Barr explains why it remains hugely significant in the Middle East” - Independent
“Barr describes [Lawrence’s] exploits with pace and flair, but he also shows how the perception of British bad faith after the war has left a legacy of distrust in the Arab world” - Mail on Sunday
“A masterly account” - Express
“Barr expertly navigates an intriguing landscape of shifting alliances and labyrinthine politics peopled with eccentric characters to demystify a fascinating legend” - Publishers Weekly
“a masterful job ... For the reader interested in contemporary affairs, a review of Barr's last two chapters and epilogue would suffice in providing an excellent background in the history relevant to the modern Middle East's relationship with the West.” - Dartmouth Review
“compact, scrupulously accurate ... An excellent general history of a widely misunderstood struggle that largely defined the shape of the modern Middle East” - Booklist
“lively, well-balanced ... provides a clear, engaging history of a crucial period” - Library Journal
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