Barrie G. James

Superb.
Just once in a while a history book comes along that reads like a thriller. This is one of those. But the author has done his research and writes with authority. His decision to make extensive use of recorded and published diaglogue is what drives this book out of the ordinary. The story proceeds on a fixed chronology but shifts locale so that the reader is made aware of all the little disparate threads as they are woven. It needs a good writer to hold this together - I wish I were this good.
The only downside - and this is the publishers fault not the author - there are no maps. An unforgivable omission. Trying to fathom out the locations of Rutbah Wells, H3 and H4, Fallujah, Mosul, etc in relation to the unfolding events is impossible without a map. Fortunately, I was able to locate a useable map in another publication - not everyone who reads this book will be so lucky. And this book deserves to be read.
Only four stars because the publishers' error in not including a map… (mehr)