Customer Reviews

Baghdad Journal: An Artist in Occupied Iraq

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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How wonderful to see a book that has a personal artistic view.
This is a compelling, unique and personal view of war torn Iraq. After the TV cameras are shut off and the photogs have gone we see a very different view......thanks to Mumford.
His artwork has a great range as does his subject matter.

Steve Mumford, Baghdad Journal: An Artist in Occupied Iraq (Drawn and Quarterly, 2005)

"Unusual." On page 157, Steve Mumford uses this word to describe getting ready for a firefight. And his use of this word, the naturalness of it, and the fact that by page 157 the reader fully believes it, is what makes Steve Mumford's Baghdad Journal such an interesting book. For what Mumford gives us is an entirely different outlook on occupied Iraq than we in America get from the majority of the American media-- one of day-to-day life that is full of conflict, but is mostly civilians and the American armed forces going about their everyday lives, dealing with the quotidian worries that one might expect in a country trying to rebuild after a devastating conflict. And the key term in that sentence is "after."

Baghdad Journal is exactly what it purports to be-- it's a guy with a press pass, a pad, and some colors wandering around and describing what he sees. Mumford is an engaging writer, though his prose often tends toward the journalistic (a charge I have often wished I could level at most of the reporters over there); this is more than made up for by the drawings, which present a world unlike that we've been given to believe exists in Iraq at present.

A good book, and an important one. Worth your time. *** ½

Beautiful artwork, which not only let me see where no photographers seem to be able to go, but also, as only art can do, these pictures communicated the feel of the scenes.
I am haunted by this book and greatful to the Artist.

Unlike photojournalists, artist Steve Mumford used paint, watercolor and pencil to create the dozens of examples in this underappreciated journal of Iraq circa 2003-05.

He was there during the slightly good days immediately following the 2003 invasion, when it was possible for unembedded US journalists to safely walk the streets, and he chronicles the change in atmosphere as well.

It was exceptional that he was given access by the military, since he didn't have a newspaper outlets. His book, much of which appeared on an art website that sponsored his trip, is very well written - better than a healthy chunk of first-person accounts of the war. There is very little sentimentality or melodrama...he sticks to what he sees, both in what he paints and what he writes. It's a refreshing change from most of the "all about me" war biographies.

This is a solid five-star purchase.

Better than I expected, and highly recommended. Page after page of full color paintings that are reproduced at high quality. Gave it as a gift, but hated to give it up. A unique and touching portrait of humanity at war.