Saddam Hussein: The Politics of Revenge

But this is just one side of the story of what made Saddam Hussein the man he is. The other of course, is the support he received from the West, primarily the US. Saddam's weapons deals with the US, UK and France are dealt with conclusively, as are his crimes against his own people at the same time as these deals were taking place, showing up the incredible hypocrisy of what we have been hearing from the governments of these countries since 1990. The cynicism of the US government in supporting Iraq with weapons deals during the war with Iran, whilst also ensuring that Iran remained strong enough to keep fighting is staggering. The amount of lives lost on both sides didn't matter to Western governments as it kept their arms industries ticking over nicely and kept both countries weak, confirming Israel as the regions number one military power.

The most fascinating part of the book comes with the lead up to the Gulf War. The facts are presented to allow the reader to make up his/her own mind on what was the real cause of the war. There is ample evidence to suggest the US and UK used Kuwait to goad Saddam into invading, thus sealing his fate as they refused to accept his proposal of a complete withdrawal without attaching humiliating conditions which a popularly elected government would have found hard to accept, never mind an autocrat who wields power over his people through force.

The war of 'surgical precision' which followed is well documented, as are the horrors which US-led sanctions have caused to the people of Iraq, who apparently the US government have "no quarrel with". Any Americans who want to know why many Arabs show such animosity towards them should look no further than the account of the popular uprising which followed Iraq's defeat in the Gulf War. As the people rose up against Saddam, the Americans shamefully refused to help them and even allowed Saddam to use helicopters to put down the uprising while they looked on. The reason: a popular government of the people would have been a threat to US/Israeli hegemony in the Middle East, they wanted a strong man like Saddam to take over, only one who would be more obedient.

For anyone who wants a glossy read which you won't have to think much about, buy the latest Tom Clancy novel. For anyone who wants to read the authoritative account of the life of Saddam Hussein and the tragedy that has been visited upon the Iraqi people since he took power in 1979, look no further than this.


Well written account of Iraq's plight   October 31, 2001
9 out of 17 found this review helpful

This is a well written and fascinating biography written with the style and flair we have come to expect from Mr Aburish. He enjoys his controversial subject matter, and is particularly helpful in tracing the role of the US and Britain in building up Saddam Hussein from the coups of 1963 and 1968 to the 'tilt to Iraq' (against Khomeini's Iran) in the 1980 and beyond. Aburish is particularly interesting in explaining how Saddam so badly misread the Americans over the 1990 Kuwait crisis (and indeed how the Americans so badly misread Saddam). His own involvement in Iraq's overseas procurement activities gives the book another intriguing dimension.
For anyone who really wants to know how the land that produced the world's first civilisation came to its current sorry state, this is perhaps the first book to read. None of the political players emerges with any credit.


a true eye-opener for the problems Iraq and the world.   August 31, 2000
klausm@bruderhof.com (UK)
5 out of 14 found this review helpful

For quite a while I have been hoping to find a book about Saddam Hussein. I believe I have found it in the book The Politics of Revenge by Said K.Aburish. President Saaddam has been demonised to such an extent that he is all black and the rest of his enemies are all white. But I know this is wrong. This book showed me what influences child hood experiences have on many and also on Saddam Hussein as he grew up. But what is more important is that this book not only describes a brutal dictator, at times! , a cunning person who uses every oportunity to remain in power and this by any means , but also and this is the crux of the matter, it showes very clearly how corrupt and deceiving those countries are that suported him when they wanted and rejected --even trying to kill him-- when he was not subservant to their own interests. I am mainly thinking of the UK and the US, who first of all put together a country for their own benefit, and then supplied all the weapons : regular, atomic , biological and chemical to then turn around and do everything to put him away. The sanctions are told about and the horrible suffering. Depleted Uranium and its use and after effects , involvement into the politics of a country ---so undemocratic. In short it is an eye opener and very well worth reading. It is very sobering in every respect. Klaus Meier


Great book   January 8, 2006
0 out of 8 found this review helpful

This book is very interesting.

It manages to successfully combine biographical information on Saddam's life whilst also giving a historical background of Iraqi politics. It includes a variety of information from Iraqi domestic policies to foreign policies and its relation to the west. We also do get some insider information about Saddam as Aburish worked with him for a while.

Well worth a read!


Saddam hussein, - tyrant?   May 9, 2001
Rev (Ireland)
9 out of 12 found this review helpful

This book while at times quite exhausting due to over-detail, is quite a good account of the infamous Saddam. Very fair, almost totally un-opinionated and very reliable considering the author. For anyone looking for a quick overview of saddams life this is certainly not for you. However, anyone interested in middle east politics and deeply interested in Iraq and saddam should not hesitate to purchase.