Summary
Charles Tripp: A history of Iraq
To understand Iraq, Charles Tripp's history is a must read. Since its first appearance in 2000, it has become a classic in the field of Middle East studies, read and admired by students, soldiers, politicians and journalists. The book has now been updated to include the recent US invasion, the fall and capture of Saddam Hussein, and the subsequent descent into civil strife. What is clear is that much of what has happened since 2003 is foreshadowed in the account found in this book. Tripp's thesis is that the history of Iraq through the twentieth century has made it what it is today, but it also provides alternative futures. Unless properly understood, many of the themes explored in this book - patron-client relationships, organized violence, sectarian, ethnic and tribal differences - will continue to influence Iraq's future as they have influenced its past.
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