Insurgent Iraq: Al Zarqawi and the New Generation [Paperback]

Loretta Napoleoni (Author), Jason Burke (Foreword), Nick Fielding (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005

An unparalleled look into the Iraqi insurgency and the multitude of forces that continue to shape it, Insurgent Iraq: Al-Zarqawi and the New Generation presents a chilling account of the regrouping of terror networks, and the development of an Iraqi resistance since the invasion by coalition forces over two years ago. One of the world’s leading specialists on terrorism, economist Loretta Napoleoni is uniquely qualified to make sense of the ways in which terror networks do and do not operate in Iraq, and what role they play in the Iraqi resistance.
Is the insurgency in Iraq a counter-Crusade, a national liberation movement, or a civil war? With a complex understanding of all the intricacies inherent in such a question, Napoleoni provides a mindful discussion, offering a much-needed understanding of how the US occupation of Iraq has catalyzed the cultural, religious, and political divides within the country to create a wholly changed, more volatile landscape. Composed of independent Iraqi Jihadist groups, Islamo-Nationalist and Ba’ath party resistance, ethnic infighting between Sunni, Shi’ite and Kurd, and foreign suicide bombers, the resistance is a divided yet maintains one demand: the end of US occupation.
Overall, Napoleoni offers a breakdown of the current political landscape in Iraq, and a renovated al-Qaeda. Insurgent Iraq is a necessary read for anyone concerned with the future of Iraq, or seeking greater insight into the U.S.’s critical role in the Middle East.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

LORETTA NAPOLEONI is the author of the bestselling book Rogue Economics: Capitalism's New Reality, which has been translated into fourteen languages, Terrorism and the Economy, and Terror Inc.: Tracing the Money Behind Global Terrorism, which has been translated into twelve languages. One of the world's leading experts on money laundering and terror financing, she has worked as London correspondent and columnist for La Stampa, Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica, El País, and Le Monde. A former Fulbright scholar, she holds an MA in international relations and economics from Johns Hopkins University, and an MPhil in terrorism from the London School of Economics. For her work as a consultant for the commodities markets, she traveled regularly to Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and other Middle Eastern countries, where she has met top financial and political leaders. She lives in London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Seven Stories Press (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583227059
• ISBN-13: 978-1583227053
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,335,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Loretta Napoleoni's first book, the bestselling Terror Inc: Tracing the Money Behind Global Terrorism, has been translated into twelve languages; her second, Insurgent Iraq was an early look at the growing insurgency led by al-Zarqawi (and came out just as American media and government were recognizing his power). Napoleoni holds an MA in international relations and economics from Johns Hopkins University, and a PhD in terrorism from the London School of Economics. For her work as a consultant for the commodities markets, she met often with officials of many Middle Eastern nations. Her latest book is Rogue Economics: Capitalism's New Reality (Seven Stories Press).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Susan from LSE - London, January 30, 2006

By 

susan from LSE (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Insurgent Iraq: Al Zarqawi and the New Generation (Paperback)

Napoleoni's book is well researched, full of useful information and easy to read. It is a biography of al Zarqawi and at the same time the story of the Jihadist movement and the chronicle of the war in Iraq. She writes beautifully, as a skillful and passionate author, so that the reader cannot stop turning the pages. I bought the book at LSE book shop and read it overnight, I simply had to get to the end of it.

This is a book which stands out from the vast production of books on terrorism and Iraq, a book written by someone who understands the meaning of terrorism. Napoleoni, I found out by reading her biography on the net, did a PhD at LSE in the early 1990s on terrorism, at the time she was the sole student working on such a topic. We often forget that until 9/11 terrorism was not a hot topic and famous journalists and authors were uninterested in researching it.

This book confirms what most academics and studends of current affairs know, you cannot master a topic in a short time. True knowledge requires years and years of research, reading and above all experience.

Well done from a fellow LSE scholar,

Susan

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Examines Iraqi insurgency and the forces which contribute to it, June 21, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Insurgent Iraq: Al Zarqawi and the New Generation (Paperback)

A 'must' for any seeking to understand the roots of terrorist activities is INSURGENT IRAQ: AL ZARQAWI AND THE NEW GENERATION. It examines Iraqi insurgency and the forces which contribute to it, documenting the regrouping and strengthening of terror networks and the development of an Iraqi resistance since the invasion over two years ago. Most of all, it tells of al Zarqawi and his history and involvement in Iraq, providing a blend of history and social inspection throughout.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading!!, March 14, 2006

By 

Erin Campbell (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Insurgent Iraq: Al Zarqawi and the New Generation (Paperback)

"Insurgent Iraq" is the most lucid account I've been able to find on the dynamics behind the current threat posed by radicalized Islam. I've read books by American, European, and Muslim writers, but "Insurgent Iraq" seems the most unbiased account of how we've reached the point of near-certain civil war in Iraq. Ms. Napoleoni provides a clear analysis of the myriad players and agendas in this very complex situation. Key leaders within the Democratic and Islamic camps have made ill-conceived decisions because of their reliance on dogma rather than on realistic assessments. Too bad Napoleoni had not been consulted right after 9/11; we might have implemented much more astute policy. In the meantime, readers can rely on this exceptional work to better understand how we've gotten to this point. I look forward to her future writings -- this story is far from over.