This is a marvellous read, a meaty and elegant introduction to Iraq, its politics and people told by a seasoned, trustworthy observer, whose earlier book on the Iran-Iraq war is a classic. It's a travelogue through a devastated Iraq punished by UN sanctions and intimidated by Saddam's terrifying dictatorship; a vibrant detour through Iraqi history ancient and modern; and a devastating critique of US realpolitik in the region, in which the reader comes away with the impression that Bush's plan to invade Iraq in early 2003 could have the same devastating and traumatic impact that the events of 1948 have had on the region. YOu want a clash of civilizations? Well, that's what we're going to get if Bush has his way, the author suggests. Thank God Dilip Hiro is sounding the alarm bell in his passionate and vigorous prose.
There's something for everything here, for the general reader and the actvist; but the questions at the back of the book -- Frequently and Infrequently Asked Questions about Iraq-- are, I think, an enormously useful primer for anti-war activists who want to prevent Bush and Blair taking us headlong to Armageddon.

To fully understand the conflict in Iraq, this book is a must. And while the eye of the storm might not seem as threatening now, reading Hiro shows us that the roots of the conflict in Iraq are far more complicated than one would think. Simply because Baghdad has fallen, the war isn't over, and Hiro's expert analysis shows us that the U.S. is in for something much more than it has bargained for.

The complexity of Iraq is not to be ignored, especially at the time of its conquest, and this books presents the details that matter. The daily life in Iraq and the people who make up the concurred are going to affect what happens today, and Hiro shows us that the long range implications of a war on Iraq, which had yet to occur when this book was written, are real. When Hiro speaks, we should listen; perhaps now more than ever.

To fully understand the conflict in Iraq, this book is a must. And while the eye of the storm might not seem as threatening now, reading Hiro shows us that the roots of the conflict in Iraq are far more complicated than one would think. Simply because Baghdad has fallen, the war isn't over, and Hiro's expert analysis shows us that the U.S. is in for something much more than it has bargained for.

The complexity of Iraq is not to be ignored, especially at the time of its conquest, and this books presents the details that matter. The daily life in Iraq and the people who make up the concurred are going to affect what happens today, and Hiro shows us that the long range implications of a war on Iraq, which had yet to occur when this book was written, are real. When Hiro speaks, we should listen; perhaps now more than ever.

This book is supposed to do for math what Sophie's World did for philosophy. But even though I enjoy math more than I do philosophy, Sophie's World was more charming and interesting. The biggest mystery in this murder mystery is how the math history blends in with the story. The simple formula of having children characters who feel awe and wonder at their math tutor's rather dry and unenlightening lectures doesn't work. If you already enjoy math, this book will add nothing to your enjoyment or understanding, and if you don't like math, this book will make it worse. I gave it two stars because at least someone tried to write a good story with math in it.

Anyone who enjoyed Jostein Gaarder's novel Sophie's World and who has any interest at all in mathematics will likely enjoy this novel. Guedj's book is a history of mathematics disguised inside a murder mystery. It covers a lot of ground and is a lot of fun.

The basics of the story are this: Mr. Ruche, a octogenarian former Parisian bookseller, inherits a library of mathematics books from an old friend living in the Amazon who has died a mysterious death. At the same time Max, a deaf child living with his family in Mr. Ruche's house, rescues a parrot from a Parisian market. Mr. Ruche becomes convinced he can solve the mystery of murder and bird by using his new library to trace the history of mathematics from Euclid through Fermat and Goldbach. I leave it to the reader to discover exactly what is accomplished by this tour of great mathematics.

One thing the reader will certainly discover is some insight into the development of mathematics. As a math teacher I am constantly looking for books that might interest my students in the subject. This book fits the bill. It is somewhat slight and a bit narrow in its coverage of math's history but it does hit on a number of the big discoveries and issues. As a novel, well...the fiction is really secondary to the math. Still, it's a good read.

What a book! The story is fascinating, the characters are unusual and it is very well written! Every single page I went through was a delight .
The book creates a comfort and nice atmosphere for those who hate maths. It is an adventure that makes you keep your attention to the very end. I strongly recommend this book for all Maths lovers, students, and those who have difficulties with the subject since it might open their minds to a new and enchanting world!

I bought this book and was disapointed with it because of all the incorrectly restored cars in it. I wanted a book that had pictures showing how a correct car would look but this definately not the best book on the subject. GM Decals in the door Jambs (wrong), spare tire rims painted the wrong color, Hose clamp details wrong, and some other miscellaneous details. Buy something else by MacNeish, Colvin or Antonick. All of those are better IMHO.