The Dirty War [Import] [Paperback]

Anna Politkovskaya (Author), Thomas de Waal (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 29, 2004

The first account written by a Russian woman of the Chechen conflict, "A Dirty War" is an edgy and intense study of a country in crisis. Exasperated at the Russian government's attempt to manipulate media coverage of the war in Chechnya, journalist Anna Politkovskaya set off for the front line to report back and keep events in the public eye. In a series of articles from July 1999 to February 2000 she vividly describes the atrocities and abuses of the war, whether it is the corruption at the heart of post-Communist Russia or the equally spurious arguments and abominable behaviour of the Chechens. Very much a woman's view of the conflict, Politkovskaya excorites male stupidity and brutality on both sides.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A special correspondent for the Russian newspaper Novaya gazeta, Politkovskaya received the 2000 Golden Pen Award by the Russian Union of Journalists for her coverage of the Russian military campaign in Chechnya. She braved arrest and interrogation by the Russian military this past February, sparking international protests, and this October she was forced to flee Russia after receiving credible death threats from the Russian military; she remains in exile. All of which places importance and credibility on her savage indictment of the current situation in the Muslim province of the former U.S.S.R., Chechnya. The present book, clearly translated by John Crowfoot (who also did The KGB's Literary Archives, among other titles), collects articles she wrote about the Second Chechen War (begun after the conflict had supposedly ended during the Yeltsin regime) from 2001 to 2001. Her on-sceners recount atrocities on both sides evenhandedly, and are passionately pro human rights, even when interviewing sordidly cynical Russian generals more preoccupied with the size of their apartments than the death and suffering brought upon the Chechen rebels. She reports that monumental corruption diverted humanitarian relief from the starving locals to greedy businessmen and the Russian military. Mothers of dead soldiers are reportedly bilked for cash by military representatives when seeking information on the locations of their sons' bodies. The many black-and-white photos of dead Chechens will surely disturb readers. Meanwhile, the usual killing goes on, at an estimated 15 to 20 deaths a day, according to the Chechen side. (Nov. 12)Forecast: Russia has recently begun recasting the Chechen conflict as part of the "war on terrorism," particularly given speculation of Chechen ties to al Qaeda and the bombings of a shopping mall and several apartment buildings in Russia. Politkovskaya's indictments may take on a different cast in that light, but the book's close reporting of the war's effects on everyday people are directly analogous to Afghanistan. Readers looking for accounts of war's impact on soldiers and civilians alike will find this book deeply disturbing; Politkovskaya will be able to further contextualize during a six-city tour this month.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Currently a journalist with the Russian newspaper Novaya gazeta in Moscow, Politkovskaya has spent the past 20 years covering social issues all around her country. This volume includes translations of articles she wrote during the Second Chechen War, from July 2001 through January 2001, based on several visits there at great risk to herself. She writes about profiteering by private businesspeople and government bureaucrats, humanitarian relief goods that never reach the intended recipients, the brutality of Russian military service for the enlisted troops, and the utter lawlessness that prevails in Chechnya. An old people's home in Grozny, mentioned in several chapters, is her best metaphor for the plight of the most helpless among the civilian population. The residents receive aid only occasionally, are evacuated late, and then return to a seriously damaged building in a devastated city. The author's opinions are very clear and forthright: she wants this war to end. Because this conflict receives only occasional coverage by the Western press, this collection is worthwhile, if uncomfortable, reading for an informed audience. Marcia L. Sprules, Council on Foreign Relations Lib., New York
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Harvill Press; 1st Published in 2001 edition (November 29, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1860468977
• ISBN-13: 978-1860468971
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 1 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,059,197 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thought Provoking, November 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dirty War (Paperback)

I noticed that one reader feels this book is nothing but a bunch of lies...especially in the wake of September 11th. Unless you have been to Chechnya since September 11th (or even before) then I don't think you are qualified to write an accurate account of what's happening in that region. I was in Chechnya during the a few weeks after September 11th. I have seen firsthand the destruction. I have also witnessed the widespread suffering of the refugee civilian population in Ingushetia.

With that said, I admire Anna for her quest for the truth. Anna's bias for the Chechen population is obvious from the start. But, this book does contain accounts from the Russian point of view. Finally, Anna goes to great lengths to tell the reader the whole story by addressing the little reported Chechen warlord perspective. Chechnya is a dirty war and all three sides share part of the blame.

You may or may not agree with her reporting style or methods...but the book is an accurate representation of the events in Chechnya as they unfolded in the months her book covers. This book was a slow read in some spots but I would still recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about Chechnya.

I am looking forward to the next installment.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book based on first hand experience, November 21, 2001

By 

Stormroger "Stormroger" (Kristiansand, Norway) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dirty War (Paperback)

The book gives insight into the attrocities carried out in Chechnya by the Russian armed forces and also by some the Chechen rebels. It is a must-read for anyone who thinks that we live in a peaceful modern world, and that attrocitites carried out by great nations like Russia do not happen. It should serve as a serious reminder to the fact that Russia still denies foreign powers insight to their "internal affairs", and that the discrimination of Muslim minorities througout Central Asia is very much alive.

Especially nowadays, as Russia seeks to ally with the USA against Muslim aggressors, this book carries much weight.
As somebody noted: "If Tony Blair seeks to eliminate terrorism in Northern Ireland, he does not bomb Dublin to bits and pieces. So why does Putin obliterate Grozny in his fight against terrorists, killing tens and tens of thousands in his path?" That is certainly worth a thought.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reporting, Strong translation, December 6, 2001

By 

Misha (Staten Island, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dirty War (Paperback)

Politkovskaya has provided us an incredible insight into both sides of the ugliest conflict, both politically and moralistically, since the Second World War. Her ability to speak not only with the Russian OMON troops, the Russian military, and the Chechen "freedom fighters," as well as with the families of the dead from each side, provides the necessary balance and authority to make her book as intriguing as the people themselves.

Politkovskaya's political leanings are apparent within the first two chapters, but should not shade the information she provides. Crowfoot's translation, which on occasion slips from lyrical to Boris-and-Natasha-speak, appears a bit rushed; considering the threats made on Politkovskaya after her October suggestion that Russians were responsible for the deaths of high-ranking Putin advisors sent to the region to investigate federal operations there, a rush can be understood and appreciated. This complaint is, in my opinion, the only distraction from an otherwise outstanding piece of work.

Buy this book, and hope for another very soon!