Questions About The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East

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I'm troubled by this book. Robert Fisk has many critics, and some who know what they are talking about. I am trying to get a picture of what is happening in the Middle East. I will finish this book, but am not sure that it is the definitive account of what is actually happening.

Daniel Mcbrearty I am currently reading this book. Fisk comes over as an honest reporter - essentially it is an account of the many extraordinary and disturbing things…moreI am currently reading this book. Fisk comes over as an honest reporter - essentially it is an account of the many extraordinary and disturbing things that he has seen over a long career as a reporter. It begins with his account of several pre-911 meetings with Bin Laden, the last deep in the Afghan mountains, and goes on to talk about the UK/US installation of the Shah in Iran (prior to which it seems to have been a progressive democracy, but one that would not play ball because of oil), and the subsequent reign of Khomeini. And so on, and so on.

The book is long, and Fisk has seen so much that there is much to say. It is often hard to deal with as there has been so much terrible violence, and Fisk has seen much of it. And western powers do not come out of the story in a very positive light - not at all. Duplicity and a total failure to learn the lessons of history seem to be the norm. Fisk only needs to recount facts to give this impression.

I am now resorting to speed reading many passages because I want to see where Fisk goes with this, and some of the long descriptions of the awful inhumanity and desolation are frankly hard to take. But, it is a fascinating account of Middle East 20th century history, and I doubt that there can be many who have seen as much of it at first hand.

I may come back to update this review if and when I get through.
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Is this book a credible account? Has any skeptic done some research into the history and credibility of Robert Fisk? From a quick glance I'm very inclined to believe that this book is an attempt to legitimize the US intervention by presenting a horrifying picture of Iraq and Saddam Hussein. Pentagon is known to pay handsomely for biased publications that suit its agenda.

Marcus Coles This book is the complete opposite of what you have assumed from your, 'quick glance'. I have just finished reading it. The author is scathing in his …moreThis book is the complete opposite of what you have assumed from your, 'quick glance'. I have just finished reading it. The author is scathing in his criticism of American, British and Israeli foreign policy. He lived in the Middle East for decades and reported on what he experienced. It is a tale of incredible suffering and the destruction of nations. (less)

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