Iraq

Children's Literature - Keri Collins Lewis

Known as the "cradle of civilization," Iraq was once the ancient land of Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The famed Sumerian, Babylonian and Assyrian empires were all centered in what is now Iraq. In modern times, the violent reign of Saddam Hussein crippled the country as he waged war against Iran and Kuwait, which in turn brought the outrage of the international community. The Gulf War of 1991 was followed by economic sanctions and weapons inspections, but Iraq's continued lack of cooperation led to the 2003 U.S.-led coalition attack on Iraq. Continued terrorist activity and daily violence has destabilized post-Saddam Iraq and prevented a more democratic form of government from gaining strength. Various warring parties, from the long-standing Shia vs. Sunni conflict to foreign Islamic terrorists, and former members of Saddam's Baath regime routinely undermine progress. This book takes a balanced look at the controversial issues intrinsic to a study of Iraq, while also providing basic information about the country's economy, history, politics and social issues. Bright illustrations, historical and modern photographs, maps, charts and sidebars convey a wealth of information. A table of contents, historical timeline, glossary, additional resources and an index make this book easy to use and ideal for student projects. Considering the long-standing conflict the United States has with Iraq and the fact that most students have heard of this country regularly, this particular title is a critically important purchase for schools libraries. Reviewer: Keri Collins Lewis