Instructions for American Servicemen in Iraq During World War II - Softcover

United States Army

Softcover

ISBN 10: 160796080X ISBN 13: 9781607960805

Publisher: www.bnpublishing.com, 2009

Synopsis

The advice in Instructions for American Servicemen in Iraq during World War II, presented here in a new facsimile edition, retains a surprising, even haunting, relevance in light of today's muddled efforts to win Iraqi hearts and minds. Designed to help American soldiers understand and cope with what was at the time an utterly unfamiliar culture-the manual explains how to pronounce the word Iraq, for instance-this brief, accessible handbook mixes do-and-don't-style tips ("Always respect the Moslem women." "Talk Arabic if you can to the people. No matter how badly you do it, they will like it.") with general observations on Iraqi history and society. The book's overall message still rings true-dramatically so-more than sixty years later: treat an Iraqi and his family with honor and respect, and you will have a strong ally; treat him with disrespect and you will create an unyielding enemy.

About this title

Review

"The surprise hit book of the summer." -- Al Kamen "Washington Post"

0;The surprise hit book of the summer.1;2;Al Kamen, "Washington"" Post"
-- Al Kamen "Washington Post"

0;A historical oddity that sheds a certain unintended light upon our current woes.1;2;David L. Ulin, "Los Angeles Times" -- David L. Ulin "Los Angeles Times" (07/22/2007)

""
0;The essential message is to show respect. . . . Why wasn7;t this the 6;commander7;s intent7; when Americans returned to Iraq sixty years later?1;2;George Packer, "New Yorker "online -- George Packer "New Yorker online"

0;In 1943, the Army published this junior Baedeker to help U.S. grunts who were utterly unfamiliar with the land in which they were serving. In prose notable for its E.B. White economy (and "Saturday Evening Post"-style ingenuousness), the guidebook urges soldiers to respect the traditions and mores of their hosts. After all, says the anonymous author, 6;American success or failure in Iraq may well depend on whether the Iraqis (as the people are called) like American soldiers or not. It may not be quite that simple. But then again it could.7;1;2;Christopher Shea, "Boston"" Globe"
-- Christopher Shea "Boston Globe"

"The essential message is to show respect. . . . Why wasn't this the commander's intent' when Americans returned to Iraq sixty years later?" -- George Packer "New Yorker online"

"Leaders, soldiers, and historians alike will--LTC Steve Leonard "Military Review "

"The surprise hit book of the summer."--Al Kamen, "Washington"" Post"
--Al Kamen "Washington Post "

"Those despairing of American policymakers'' mistakes in Iraq . . . may find some solace in this amazing little booklet. . . . It''s a treasure chest of information. And the bottom line for the piece couldn''t be clearer: "we didn''t used to be so stupid.""--"Harper''s"--Scott Horton "Harper's "

""
"The essential message is to show respect. . . . Why wasn't this the 'commander's intent' when Americans returned to Iraq sixty years later?"--George Packer, "New Yorker "online--George Packer "New Yorker online "

About the Author

Lieutenant Colonel John A. Nagl commands the 1st Battalion, 34th Armor at Fort Riley, Kansas. He is the author of "Learning to Eat Soup with a Knife: Counterinsurgency Lessons from Malaya and Vietnam," also published by the University of Chicago Press.

About this edition

• Publisher: www.bnpublishing.com
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 160796080X
• ISBN 13: 9781607960805
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 56