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Even though this was published in 2016, it holds up well. Engel explains the various sects, factions, and other players throughout the Middle East. There are lots of “aha” moments about why things are the way they are. And some solid behind-the-scenes life of a journalist stuff that fascinated me. Still, the battles and fighting is depressing.

Full review http://www.TheBibliophage.com
#thebibliophage2021 #readingasia #iraq #mounttbr

Heartbreaking, relevant, and terrifying, this book gives one journalist‘s experience and perspective on the events occurring in the Middle East over the last 20 or so years. Published in 2016, many of the conflicts Engel discusses are still raging across the region today. He doesn‘t pull punches in laying blame for the rise of ISIS on the US. I think this is a balanced piece, though, and well worth reading for insight on recent/current events.

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I can already tell this is going to be a tough read.

I would like to do this to my boss. I'm not a terrorist though. He's just an asshole.

As a New Yorker, this is news to me as well.

I've always had a fascination with war. What drives us to it, why humanity can't seem to shake it, and mostly what stories go untold as each one gets set down in history. That's why I love reading books like these that offer a different perspective on a longstanding conflict that I'll admit I don't understand as well as I should. This was well written and insightful in a way to me that highlighted areas I need to learn more about.

#kindness #quotsynov17

I think Richard Engel would agree that #HistorySticksToYourFeet This book is on my Kindle #tbr. I really want to get to this soon. #tuneintonovember

Engel has seen a whole lot of stuff in his career - usually whatever is the worst thing happening at any given time. He has a lot of stories to tell, & in this book is able to do so much more deeply than in the few minutes he's given on a news show. Definitely an informative read. I appreciate that he approaches people & societies with respect & civility. I do think a couple portions were a bit one-sided, though. But overall smart - & scary. 4/5⭐️

The [Bush] administration often used the analogy of planting "seeds of democracy" in the Middle East, as if they'd sprout into democratic regimes as nature took its course. Democracy doesn't sprout like apple trees. Scattering the seeds isn't enough, no matter how many soldiers do it. ... Democracy is more like a fragile flower that requires constant attention &the right soil. Dictatorships &fascist regimes are hardy weeds that sprout on their own

[March 2003] The bombing started up again, with explosions all around us, in broad daylight, but no one in the restaurant even flinched. Iraqis seemed numb after a quarter century under Saddam's whip-hand rule. It was heartbreaking to see what a harsh dictatorship can do to the human soul.

You know, just a little light, escapist reading. 😳 #nowreading

i was able to finish this book between flu-induced headaches. it was useful getting a more general timeline of the falling dominoes in the Middle East--and what the US's role was in it--but i would really have loved to read more about his experiences being captured in Syria and what the aftermath was for him psychologically.

Finished! Not as gripping as his War Journal, but this isn't as much a tale of a war correspondent as it is a look at history and politics in the Middle East. I learned a lot, especially regarding Syria and Iraq. Highly recommend especially for Americans looking to better understand what is happening and why.

Trying to finish this while The Munchkin naps, but I keep dozing off myself. First day back after vacation is hard on everyone, Munchkins and their nannies alike.

I do love a good Latin "bona dicta", as my high school Latin teacher called them. Back in the day, this would have gotten me extra credit points, today it just makes me happy to see it used correctly and without explanation.

Started this over my morning cup of tea and I'm mesmerized; I felt the same reading his War Journal. Engel comes to current events with the views of a true insider, who has lived in and with the communities he reports on. Other than going to brunch with my mother, I know what I'm spending the rest of my day doing.

The bare tip of my September TBR list. I got lucky and scored a bonus week of vacation starting tomorrow (The Bosses and The Munchkin are turning a trip back east for a family wedding into an extended trip, which is great for them, and I won't complain about extra PTO either) so I'm hoping to read a lot more than I did last week. And if everything works out I might even get to start renovation on my future craft/library/writing space!

From graduating & moving to Cairo with dreams of being a reporter, through the Iraq invasion, Israel-Palestine conflict, Arab Spring, Libya, & the Syrian Civil War. He tells you the history of the conflicts, what it was like on the ground, & how the events effected & influenced the rest of the world

I'm guessing from my quote posting pattern you can probably tell I had a long wait somewhere today, with no internet connection, but did get lots of reading done! So for me that means: tech problems=book reading win!

Reading these stories, on top of his previous book about Iraq, I do wonder how the man has lived this long and managed not to be gravely injured.

"....democracy is more like a fragile flower that requires constant attention and the right soil. Dictatorships and fascist regimes are hardy weeds that sprout on their own."

"Obviously it was happenstance, but it did change my opinion of human nature. I now saw war as a constant, akin to wildfires. They break out unless you work actively to prevent them. It‘s an atavistic thing, buried deep in our DNA."

Thanks buddy! 👍

during the Cold War, the United States became the guardian of Middle East stability. Islamic fundamentalists believe the United States has been policing a Middle East full of divisions that were deliberately put there to keep the region weak..."

...Washington will as well."
A chilling prediction from a man that's spent a great deal of his life covering conflict and uprisings in the area.

...a century ago.) The first paragraph of the book, and honestly the first real problem with any peace in the Middle East proposal.

A fairly short, manageable book that gives a great overview of all the main conflicts taking place in the Middle East. In addition to the history lesson, the story about the Author was also interested eating.